Wuppertal’s traditional meadow orchards

About

The area of Wuppertal has always been known for its productive meadowland, where fruit trees have grown for centuries. These trees provided local produce as well as raw material for local food products and played an important part in the local economy and culture. Since the second half of the 20th century, the meadows have suffered from a lack of attention and many disappeared, often in favour of industrial development. In 1999 a working group was set up by the biological station Mittlere-Wupper, to continue to care for some of the remaining meadows, as well as to protect and promote the cultural and biological heritage attached to them. Traditions around the harvesting period, as well as traditional agricultural practices that involve fruit-tree cultivation, grooming and harvesting, are elements of intangible heritage strongly connected to the meadows. [1;2]

The aim of the initiative is to preserve and further develop the meadows as an important habitat for flora and fauna, and to promote their potential for sustainable consumption, while at the same time preserving the cultural and ecological heritage of the region. It does this by hosting a cross-municipal information and events network, the organisation of excursions and fruit picking events. They also do this by educating and informing citizens, among others, on plant and animal types that live in the meadows, plant care and traditional agricultural practices. The initiative is also involved in connecting consumers directly with producers, protecting and maintaining the flora, aiding bee nesting, and promoting the breed of insect-nutrient plants. [1;2;3;6]

Governance

The initiative is governed by a working group named “Obstwiesen Bergisches Städtedreieck”. This group is composed of a wide range of actors including a nature conservation association (RBN), local representation of the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union Germany (NABU), the landscape authority of the region, the biological station “Mittlere Wupper”, a local fruit juice producer, the city council and a food sharing movement (Mundraub). [2] The goals of this network of actors include maintaining and further developing the meadow orchards, creating a sustainable and local source of food, preserving local cultural heritage, generating profits for the local microeconomy, and protecting the local flora and fauna.
On a day to day basis, the initiative is managed by the Biological station Mittlere Wupper. Different stakeholders manage individual activities, like a harvest camp organised by Mundraub – the local food sharing movement, or the production and sales of apple juice, which is managed by Weber – a local fruit juice production company. [1;2]

Business Model

In order to get the initiative off the ground, it has made use of local funding, subsidies and donations as well as non-financial contributions. Four meadows have been sponsored by the municipality of Wuppertal. To maintain the initiative, income is generated through several small-scale activities related to meadow maintenance and sales of produce. This includes, among others, activities around education and the provision of information (e.g. expert advice on planting and taking care of fruit trees, or cutting courses); and building local networks of fruit tree owners and fruit buyers. The intrinsic biological and cultural values which are attached to meadow cultivation, harvesting, and juicing seem to enable the business model. Any revenue is reinvested in organisational activities. [1;3]