The project
Under the motto “a wildflower meadow instead of corn” and with the aim of counteracting insect mortality as well as making a sustainable contribution to the environment, the Kemnade family from Bad Laer founded the wildflower meadow project in 2021. They run a family-operated dairy business; since last year, they have made a field available for a wildflower meadow where previously corn was cultivated. In 2022, a total of 25,000m² of wildflower meadow will be created. The idea is to release a piece of land from the usual intensive cultivation by the family business. Cattle feed will therefore no longer be produced on this land. The field gets the chance to regenerate and is at the disposal of nature and all its inhabitants for a whole year.
Promoting biodiversity
A wildflower meadow particularly promotes biodiversity in the agricultural environment and serves as a source of food for bees and other pollinators. It attracts honey bees and other insects and can increase the quantity and, in some cases, the number of species of insects. There are therefore several good reasons for creating a wildflower meadow:
- Wildflower meadows are important sources of sustenance
- Wildflower meadows are natural havens for wildlife
- Wildflower meadows promote the benefits of the ecosystem
Wildflower meadows also provide a refuge for numerous animals. While other fields and meadows are mown, the wildflower meadow remains and provides shelter not only for insects but also for animals such as hares and deer. To ensure that this safe space for animals is available for as long as possible, the wildflower meadow also remains in place throughout the winter, thus contributing to the conservation of wildlife. A wonderful place for insects and animals!
Wildflower meadow 2023
In 2021, the family planted a diverse mixture of 15 different types of flowers in the wildflower meadow, including field peas, vetch, Persian clover, red clover and dill – a colourful array of varieties that bloom at different times throughout the summer. In 2022, the area is to be expanded and in 2023, a total of 11,000 m² has been collected with the kind support of the sponsors.
We too are committed to contributing to this project and making a difference for our environment. This is why animonda is supporting the scheme in 2022 by sponsoring a 6,000 m² section of the field.
A wildflower meadow as a natural “carbon sink”
Not only forests but also fields are able to store carbon, so agriculture has a clear advantage over other industries. It not only emits carbon dioxide, but is also able to bind it again in a natural way. Land used for agriculture always collects carbon in the soil, with meadows and pastures storing twice as much carbon as arable land. Here, it is important that humus forms in the soil. This is why in this project, instead of simply cutting off the resulting biomass, we work it into the soil.
The wildflower meadow is situated just 7 km away from the animonda headquarters. The meadow can be found at this address: In den Höfen 1, 49196 Bad Laer
You can find out more here.