How can biodiversity in grasslands be effectively promoted – in collaboration with local farmers? The EU project FRAMEwork (Farmer Cluster for Realising Agrobiodiversity Management Across Ecosystems) from 2020 to 2025. In the Austrian sub-project, a so-called Farmer Cluster established and scientifically monitored in the Mostviertel region. The concept of Farmer Clusters originated in England – it refers to the collaboration of neighboring farmers to jointly implement biodiversity measures across larger areas.
In the Mostviertel region, organic grassland farms voluntarily joined forces to implement biodiversity-promoting measures – such as establishing species-rich meadow grasses and wildflower strips, creating habitats for birds and insects, and employing particularly gentle grassland management practices. This process was accompanied by intensive consultation from scientists at the BIO Institute of the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein, regular field trips, farm events, and comprehensive biodiversity monitoring of plants, birds, and pollinating insects.
A key element of the project was the active involvement of farmers in monitoring and knowledge exchange. Through citizen science approaches, digital identification apps, and joint events, not only was new knowledge generated, but awareness of the importance of biodiversity for nature and on the farm was also strengthened.
Another important aspect was informing the public about farmers' efforts to promote biodiversity on their farms. This was achieved through farm festivals, organic farming awareness events, information boards, and media coverage.
The project results show that the farmer cluster approach is also an effective instrument under Austrian conditions to promote biodiversity in grassland, strengthen regional networks and develop practical solutions for a sustainable agriculture.
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