DeE1 - Regions and people of the Ruhr area
Description of the region
The Ruhr agglomeration has got a surface of 4,435 square kilometres with more than 5 million inhabitants and averagely more than 1,100 inhabitants per square kilometre, while the density of population in the major cities is even higher. Within a few decades, the coal and steel industry had transformed farmlands into industrial areas. In spite of that, even today nearly 40 % of the total surface of the Ruhr area is still used for agricultural or horticultural purposes. Agricultural companies are struggling with shrinking areas of cultivable land. This excursion will give you the chance to see the multifaceted aspects of farming in the Ruhr area.
Carrot cultivation – international commercialisation
The carrot farm Abenhardt in Datteln, Recklinghausen district, commercialises up to 70,000 tons of carrots per year by making use of both traditional and organic farming processes. More than 100 employees work with this long-standing family business.
Community gardens and efficient dairy farm
In the outskirts of Gelsenkirchen, the farm Eckermannshof has developed an important side business in direct marketing. The community garden is very popular among customers. Beans, corn, potatoes and mangold enjoy high popularity. Hundreds of customers love harvesting their own vegetables and are proud to have their own produce.
Farm market, Farm café, Farm house, Farmland
The family estate Schmücker Hof in Bottrop-Kirchhellen is interregionally famous for its tradition and innovation. Now and then, organic produce, which has been harvested both on the plantations of Schmücker Hof and on the fields of the region, is directly sold to consumers. Enjoy a shopping event, celebrate your anniversary party on the farm and directly pluck your own fruit from the tree. Come and find out about the many features of this traditional farm business.
Guide: Annette Höfinghoff, Agricultural Chamber of North Rhine-Westphalia