After submitting the application in February and the evaluation commission's visit in May, the award was presented at the Climate Action Day in Rostock on 27 September. Jessica Weiß, network coordinator of the One World State Network and member of the NUN Commission, gave the laudatory speech and presented the certificate. The patronage of the NUN certification is shared by Dr Till Backhaus, Minister for Climate Protection, Agriculture, Rural Areas and the Environment of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and Simone Oldenburg, Minister for Education and Childcare of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. In his welcoming address, Dr Backhaus highlighted the FBN's commitment to sustainability and knowledge transfer.
Research and education as a driving force
The award recognised not only the FBN's research into current issues relating to animals in agricultural husbandry and their importance for climate protection and resource efficiency, but above all the non-formal education and knowledge transfer programme ‘Stadt-Land-Stall’ (City-Country-Stable).
"The NUN certification is an important recognition of our commitment at the FBN. It shows that we not only conduct excellent research, but also take responsibility for sustainability and education. I am particularly pleased that our knowledge transfer programme “Stadt-Land-Stall” has been recognised in this way – because science gains value when it reaches people," says Prof. Dr Klaus Wimmers, Director of the FBN.
Voices of the NUN Commission
Excerpts from the assessment of the NUN Commission (Dr. Martina Trümper, Ministry of Education and Childcare, Institute for Quality Development MV (IQ-MV); Alexandra Pencov, Soziale Bildung e. V.; Anne Glamann, Landjugend MV) underline the decision:
‘We were impressed not only by the depth of the information, but also by the openness in answering our numerous questions – a sign of genuine transparency and good preparation.’
‘A highlight was the visit to the conventional pigsty, where regular educational activities for children and young people also take place. Here, it became clear how research, education and practice intertwine. The discussions on animal welfare, organic farming and economic aspects were particularly exciting – topics that were treated sensitively and objectively at the same time.’
Education meets research
As part of the BMFTR-funded project ‘RealLab OH’, which is embedded in the T!Raum initiative ‘One-Health Region Vorpommern’, project manager Marianne Zenk and her team are developing a wide range of educational programmes and materials. These are designed to bring agricultural animal husbandry to life with all the senses, illustrate the interaction between animals, humans and the environment, and incorporate the latest research findings. The offerings are as diverse as the visitors themselves.
In addition to tours of pig and cattle stables, there are lectures – also for the children's university – on topics such as the ‘superpowers of animals’ or nutrition and digestion. The programme is supplemented by experiments, hands-on activities, further training, and digital and virtual formats in order to reach as many people as possible and raise awareness of the various topics. ‘We often find that discussions help people to question their own image of agriculture and livestock farming. In most cases, they simply lacked the necessary background knowledge,’ says Marianne Zenk.
At the Climate Action Day, the FBN clearly demonstrated solutions for reducing methane emissions from cows and the role of farm animals in sustainable agricultural cycles.
