Eco-model region Günztal with a new project manager

Unterallgäu - The previous project manager of the Öko-Modellreigon (ÖMR) Rebecca Sweat took parental leave with effect from September 1st. In the past few years she had started many individual projects and left her successor with a nice gift: All of the fifteen member communities to date have extended their contracts with the ÖMR, which were limited to this autumn.

Since September 1st, Rebecca Sweat has been represented by Miriam Marihart for one year.

The trained ecotrophologist and mother of three children had previously worked mainly on a freelance basis with enthusiasm and commitment in similar projects.

She wants to pursue and expand the existing projects.

Miriam Marihart will promote new projects or projects that are still in the starting blocks, such as community catering and out-of-home catering, and will also focus more on raising awareness of healthy eating and biodiversity.

Funded project is extended

The funding project “Eco-Model Region Günztal” (ÖMR) is now officially confirmed and continued for a further three years. The next funding period runs from November 2021 to November 2024. All fifteen participating communities along the Günz from Günzach in the south to Kettershausen in the north have also confirmed their participation for the next three years. Only the municipalities of Lauben and Erkheim in the middle of the funding area are not involved in the new funding period either. The model project is funded to 75 percent from the Bavarian state budget, the remaining costs are shared proportionally by the 15 municipalities to date.

In the past, the work of the ÖMR Günztal focused on the six fields of action of communal catering and gastronomy, orchards and biodiversity, old cultivars, the Günztal cattle, new arable crops (black beans) and public relations work on organic farming in the region to be able to experience on site.

In Babenhausen, the commitment was particularly noticeable through the cooperation with the youth education center.

The school education program “AckerSchule” will soon also be presented in the Fuggermarkt.

The old spelled variety “Babenhauser Rotveesen” has been rediscovered and is currently being processed by two bakeries in the region.

Grassland and dairy cattle

The region is characterized by a high proportion of grassland and dairy farming.

The natural conditions are changing in the north towards a mixed region with increased arable farming.

A total of 110 farms already operate according to the criteria of organic farming.

The proportion of organic farms within the eco model region varies widely and ranges from nine percent in the north to 25 percent in the south.

A more intensive networking of the local actors should help to increase the regional added value.

At the same time, the population's awareness of organic farming and regionality is to be increased.