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Research into organic farming: 2. Science Dating Weihenstephan

Mehrere Personen sitzen in Dreiergruppen an Holztischen neben einer holzvertäfelten Wand. Neben den Tischen stehen auf einer Wiese verschiedene Stellwände mit Plakaten.
© Birgit Gleixner

In a relaxed atmosphere, more than 60 researchers were able to discuss their work and new research approaches at the Weihenstephan Science Dating event.

The Science Dating event was organised jointly by Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences (HSWT), the Bavarian State Institute for Agriculture (LfL) and the Technical University of Munich (TUM), with the participation of the Bavarian State Institute for Forestry and Forest Management (LWF). The event focused on organic farming and the organic food industry.

A networking event that is bearing fruit

The format’s great potential was already evident in the morning: some of the projects presented during the ‘show-and-tell’ session had emerged from the first Science Dating event in 2023. The AgroMissionHub brings the three institutions together on the same site – Science Dating brings together the people behind them. Over 60 researchers took the opportunity to exchange knowledge, experiences and ideas in an interdisciplinary and cross-institutional manner. The event was hosted by Gero Wieschollek. 

During the main part of the event – the Science Dating session itself – participants discussed research areas such as soils, economics, agricultural sociology and organic food. Bringing together different disciplines provided fresh impetus for research work. At the same time, research questions and opportunities were shared on display boards to help participants stay in touch after the event.

In focus: organic farming and the organic food industry

The Science Dating event was opened by the AgroMissionHub Steering Committee, represented by Dr Annette Freibauer, Vice-President for Knowledge at the LfL, Prof. Dr Christoph Moning, Vice-President for Research and Knowledge Transfer at HSWT, and Prof. Dr Senthold Asseng, Scientific Director of the Hans Eisenmann Forum and Professor of Digital Agriculture at TUM.  “Organic farming and the organic food industry are currently facing major transformation processes and challenges that can be addressed through innovative solutions and research approaches,” emphasised Prof. Dr Christoph Moning in his opening remarks.

Prof. Dr Thorsten Haase (HSWT) set the tone for the upcoming speed-dating-style exchange in a short keynote entitled ‘Better connected! Research for organic farming’. “Networked research requires shared objectives, clear responsibilities and participation on an equal footing,” emphasised Prof. Dr Thorsten Haase in his keynote address.

Ideas for the future

In his keynote presentation entitled ‘The Organic Farming Network: Necessity, Objectives, Stakeholders’, Dr Klaus Wiesinger (LfL) summarised the ideas and proposed solutions discussed and outlined clearly structured next steps.

The second Science Dating event in Weihenstephan clearly demonstrated the interest in interdisciplinary exchange and cross-institutional collaboration. Together, decisive progress can be made in research into organic farming and innovative solutions can be developed. The participants were enthusiastic about the event and the majority expressed a desire to make ‘Science Dating’ a regular fixture.

  • Drei Personen stehen nebeneinander vor verschiedenen Roll-Ups. Die Person in der Mitte hält ein Mikrofon in der rechten Hand und gestikuliert mit der linken Hand.
    Dr Annette Freibauer, Vice-President for Knowledge at the LfL, (left) Prof. Dr Christoph Moning, Vice-President for Research and Knowledge Transfer at HSWT, (center) and Prof. Dr Senthold Asseng, Scientific Director of the Hans Eisenmann Forum and Professor of Digital Agriculture at TUM (right) opened the second Weihenstephan Science Dating as representatives of the AgroMissionHub Steering Committee. © Birgit Gleixner
  • Eine Person steht vor verschiedenen Roll-Ups, hält ein Mikrofon in der rechten Hand und ein gefaltetes Blatt Papier in der linken Hand.
    Moderator Gero Wieschollek led through the event. © Birgit Gleixner
  • Mehrere Personen sitzen in einem Raum an Bistrotischen und blicken an das Ende des Raumes, wo einer weitere Person vor drei Roll-ups steht und ein Mikrofon in der Hand hält.
    In his short keynote speech, Prof. Dr. Thorsten Haase from HSWT emphasised that Networked research requires shared objectives, clear responsibilities and participation on an equal footing. © Birgit Gleixner
  • Verschiedene Personen stehen als Gruppe im Freien auf einer Wiese und blicken zu einer Person in der Mitte. Auf dem Boden liegen verschiedene beschriftete Papierkreise auf dem Boden.
    Before the actual Science Dating, the participants got to know each other better. For example, moderator Gero Wieschollek „divided“ the participants into different categories in different rounds with reference to institution, job title, research experience or research area. © Birgit Gleixner
  • Mehrer Personen stehen im Freien als Gruppe zusammen und unterhalten sich. Daneben sitzen weitere Personen an Holztischen. Im Hintergrund sind verschiedende Beachflags zu sehen. Am rechten Bildrand sind Stellwände zu erkennen.
    The Science Dating also offered the opportunity to exchange ideas with other researchers outside of the speed dating rounds. © Birgit Gleixner
  • Zwei Personen stehen vor und neben einer Stellwand, eine Person ist von hinten zu sehen, die andere hat sich zum Betrachtenden gedreht. Auf der Stellwand sind verschiedenfarbige Papiernotizen zu sehen.
    During the event, the participants had the opportunity to share research questions and opportunities as well as contacts on display boards. © Birgit Gleixner

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