Nature conservation and grazing: guided tour on Staffelberg inspires farmers!

Nature conservation and grazing: guided tour on Staffelberg inspires farmers!

On July 22, 2025, an exciting event for farmers and those interested in nature conservation took place in the picturesque Staffelberg area in the Lichtenfels district. The tour, led by Teresa Spiegel, the dedicated area manager of the Lichtenfels District Landscape Conservation Association, aimed to impart knowledge about plant communities and nature conservation measures. The focus was particularly on grazing as an important measure for keeping the areas open.

During the event it was emphasized that pastured cattle and sheep are definitely less harmful to the climate than is often assumed. According to the district's press release lkr-lif.de, grazing animals contribute to the conversion of inedible biomass into high-quality food, support the build-up of humus in meadows, which contributes to CO2 binding, and the excretions of these animals support a variety of insects, birds and amphibians. This impressively shows the importance of pasture farming for biodiversity and climate protection.

The advantages of regional meadow seeds

Another exciting point of the tour was the importance of regional meadow seeds. This makes a crucial contribution to maintaining the genetic diversity and adaptability of plants and avoiding disruptions in ecological food chains. The company Regiosaatgut Murrmann from Bernreuth was on site with a special seed extraction device that farmers can even borrow. Stefanie Gritscher clearly demonstrated how seed production works - a significant contribution to sustainable agriculture.

The collaboration with local food retailers to promote organic beef from the region is another example of how regional business is being promoted. Dr. Arno Krause, managing director of the Grassland Center Lower Saxony/Bremen e.V., highlights the positive aspects of pasture farming in a guest commentary. This is not only traditionally rooted in many European regions, but also has the potential to produce high-quality foods such as milk and meat. In addition, pasture farming promotes the preservation of cultural landscapes and the improvement of animal welfare, not to mention the positive impact on the income situation of farmers landschafftwerte.de.

A sociable end with a view

After the informative tour, part of the group took the opportunity to visit the Staffelbergklause. There we had a convivial snack with a wonderful view - a perfect end to a day full of knowledge and exchange about nature conservation and sustainable agriculture.

The event not only highlighted the importance of grazing for the environment, but also how closely agriculture and nature conservation are linked. The focus is on a good hand for nature and local economies, because only together can we shape a sustainable future.