Global Field Conference in Schwerte

The Global Field movement met for the fifth time to work on joint projects, exchange ideas and forge new partnerships. Over 70 representatives from numerous projects met at the end of February. This year, people from four continents came together for the first time. It was an inspiring and exciting meeting that brought our growing movement closer together.

A large group stands in a field for a group photo.
Closing of the conference at the Global Field Dortmund (©Katharina Hieber)

Intercontinental exchange

While a representative from Kenya attended our annual meeting last year, this year we were able to bring together world tillers from nine countries on four continents for the first time. For our four guests from India, the conference was a stopover on their tour of Europe, which they used to get to know the Global Field movement and plan their future together. Together with several experienced Global Field farmers and the women farmers from India, Daniel Wanjama from Kenya and Amanuel Samuel Menna from Ethiopia, we started developing the new livelihood Global Field approach. The plan is to open several Global Fields in southern India this year, which will demonstrate sustainable nutrition and livelihoods for smallholder families on 2000 m².

  • Ein Mann steht mit einem großen Käse in der Hand, andere Personen blicken ihn gespannt an.
    Rob from Groningen has brought cheese
  • In einem Stuhlkreis sitzen eetwa 20 Personen und diskutieren.
    Working group
  • Rund um einen großen Tisch sitzen etwa 15 Menschen und lauschen der Vortragenden
    A new module is presented
  • In einem Raum sitzen zahlreiche Menschen. Vorne erkennt man einen Mann, der eine Präsentation hält.
    Evening lecture on agroforestry
  • Eine Gruppe spielt Tischtennis und läuft dabei im Kreis um die Platte.
    Evening finale

    • In many other working groups and joint discussions, new educational content was developed, horticultural and pedagogical knowledge was exchanged and visions for the future of the movement were developed. Particular highlights included the input from agroforestry expert Geraldo Ceni Coelho from our partner project Horto Sapiens in Brazil, the workshop on virtual water transportation led by our Portuguese participants and the insights into the Kenyan Seed Savers movement.

    Whether it’s a new pulses module, the educational program on women in agriculture, a water module or offers for new target groups – a lot has been further developed and launched. You can expect many new insights into global agriculture on the Global Fields.

    Many new faces

    Even though a few committed people were taking part in a Global Field meeting for the fifth time, around half of the participants were there for the first time! This shows how fast the Global Field movement is growing at the moment. It was a great pleasure to welcome the many new members of our movement. For example, two new Global Fields are already opening in Dortmund and Hanover in April, with more to follow this year in Germany, Europe, China, India and probably Canada.

    19.04.2026