An additional manager, more responsibility in the field of livestock husbandry and the increased mandate to bring agricultural issues into society: The Office for Food, Agriculture and Forests (AELF) Holzkirchen was reorganized on July 1st.
Almost at the same time, the boss changes: Office manager Rolf Oehler is retiring.
Holzkirchen
- Another 15 working days, then for Rolf Oehler (65) an almost 40-year career in the agricultural administration comes to an end. Since 2017, the Wasserburger has held the reins in the still young AELF Holzkirchen, traditionally in a double function as head of the authorities and head of the agricultural school.
This personal union will be dissolved in the course of a Bavaria-wide restructuring of the agricultural administration.
Since July 1st, Peter Nawroth (55) from Bad Aibling has officially been operating in Holzkirchen as the new head of agriculture - and thus also as head of school.
Oehler will remain his superior for three more weeks, and his successor will be presented as head of the authorities in the fall.
"The position is advertised," says Oehler when asked.
The forest area, which Christian Webert leads as deputy AELF manager, remains unchanged.
Holzkirchen is one of 20 “future locations” in Bavaria
“I was the headmaster with all my heart and soul,” confesses Oehler.
Stabilizing the number of students in Holzkirchen has been one of his most important tasks over the past four years.
This core element of the AELF now has its own weight: Nawroth, who is moving from the Ministry of Agriculture to Holzkirchen and has helped to develop the new structures there, is for the first time combining responsibilities for agriculture (including alpine expert advice) and schools in a new management position.
Minister of State Michaela Kaniber (CSU) has chosen the Holzkirchen Agricultural School as one of 20 “future locations” across Bavaria.
The numbers are correct: a few days ago, 20 students began what is now the 11th round of the one-semester home economics course.
The summer semester is running in the Agriculture Department.
Overall, the restructuring of the agricultural administration continues to focus on concentration and "focus" locations.
Of the previous 47 offices, 32 have remained.
The basic structure of the AELF Holzkirchen will be retained, only some tasks will be rearranged.
"Not much will change for the farmers," says Oehler.
Extended responsibility: livestock competence for the whole of Upper Bavaria
The field of livestock husbandry, headed by Hans Stöckl, is new in Holzkirchen. This is where the tasks of the former specialist centers for animal breeding, cattle husbandry, horse, sheep, goat and game advice come together. In the cattle sector, the responsibility of the Holzkirchner will in future extend from Weilheim to Berchtesgaden. When it comes to horses, sheep, goats and wild animals, Holzkirchen now even covers the whole of Upper Bavaria. “When it comes to permits, the procedures are time-consuming,” emphasizes Oehler.
In particular, explains Oehler, politicians would like the new AELF to help milk producers replace tethering with more animal-friendly loose pens.
In the district of Miesbach, 67 percent of the companies still practice tethering.
“The better expression would be combined farming,” emphasizes Oehler, because the animals graze on the meadows in summer.
Investing in a playpen is an existential issue for small businesses.
"There is a risk that they would then rather stop completely," knows the outgoing head of office.
Last but not least, the strengthened management team should give the offices the air to move agricultural issues more into the social discourse and to stimulate discussions among the population, beyond the specialist clientele.
Oehler had already designed a series of events for this, but the Corona slowed it down.
