This is how Solidarity Agriculture Düsseldorf works
Vegetables from the region and organically grown by fairly paid workers or even their own garden: that’s what many people want and in the end it doesn’t work out for various reasons. In Düsseldorf there has therefore been a solidarity agriculture (Solawi for short) since 2016, and it has been a registered association since 2017. The goal is “to work together sustainably, fairly and in solidarity – and to be able to use the harvest together”.
There are 100 shares per year – and these are distributed to interested parties in a contribution round (usually in February/March). The price is made up of the calculated annual budget with wage costs, planned investments, seeds and lease, so there is an average amount (currently 137 euros) that everyone has to pay. That can vary up and down depending on financial strength. The main thing: In the end, the calculated sum is covered.
Six part-time employees take care of arable land in Düsseldorf’s Südpark and in Kaarst-Büttgen. The areas are cultivated by career changers such as Lisa Hülsmann and trained gardeners together with the members of the association. “There are many opportunities to get involved,” explains Lisa Hülsmann. Helping hands are always needed on the field. There are various working groups that deal with public relations, education or “energy and water”, for example. In addition, the harvest has to be transported from the field to the collection points, where the vegetable portions can be taken away by the members. “The groups are organized independently and take care of the distribution on a weekly basis,” explains Lisa Hülsmann. There are also action days when many helpers are needed for various tasks – from sowing and weeding to digging and fertilizing. As a rough guide, each share should take part in the harvest or on campaign days at least eight times.
“You get a whole new relationship to food when you grow it with your own hands,” says Hülsmann. Only what is currently being harvested goes into the boxes. “Cooking then becomes a new challenge. But we also exchange a lot of recipes in the forum.”
Regular get-togethers should strengthen togetherness, as does working together in the fields or in work groups. “And there is often a great bond in the pick-up groups,” says Lisa Hülsmann. Above all, she appreciates being able to meet new people and have interesting conversations. “The arrangement works very well for us, if you need help with something, there is always someone who has time and will come by.” The obligation is significantly lower than with your own allotment garden or a rented piece of land, you can also go on vacation drive without the operation coming to a standstill. “Only your own share, you have to organize that differently at the time.” The amount varies depending on the season, weather and thus yield. People often share a share, but then you have to organize it yourself. “We currently have four open shares. Next Saturday we will start the season in Büttgen.” Information at www.solawi-duesseldorf.de.
