Rinteln starts cider production project: orchards in danger?

Rinteln starts cider production project: orchards in danger?

The mood in Rinteln was great yesterday as the official start of the cider production project was celebrated. Those involved, including Obstwiesenland gGmbH, the VR-Stiftung der Volksbanken and Raiffeisenbanken in Northern Germany and the Volksbank in Schaumburg and Nienburg eG, have joined forces to preserve the traditional orchards in the Weserbergland and to promote regional added value through the processing of fruit. In total, the project is supported with 132,563 euros, with funds amounting to up to 72,909.65 euros from the federal-state joint task “Improvement of the agricultural structure and coastal protection” of the state of Lower Saxony. In addition, the VR Foundation and the Volksbank are each contributing 20,000 euros.

The cider factory at Behrenstrasse 3 will produce high-quality locally grown orchard fruit juices, which not only contributes to the preservation of the beautiful meadows, but also benefits the producers through fair prices. The proceeds from the cider factory flow directly into the care and creation of orchards, which are known as habitats for over 5,000 animal and plant species. These meadows are not only ecologically valuable, but are also closely linked to our traditions. Fortunately, all orchard producers and fruit tree owners were invited to take part in this useful project, which also functions as a contract cider factory where your own fruit can be processed into juice. This is a great way to put your own harvest to good use.

The importance of orchards

Orchards are true hotspots of biodiversity. They not only provide habitats for numerous animals such as birds, bats and rare insects, but also contribute to ecological balance. However, their preservation requires careful care and the use of regionally typical standard fruit varieties. In North Rhine-Westphalia in particular, measures to maintain orchards can be supported through the contract nature conservation funding program. A call to the North Rhine-Westphalia Chamber of Agriculture could provide further information.

If you look further beyond the borders of Rinteln, you will meet Jochen Schwarz, the owner of the cider factory in Kneese, who is also committed to sustainable practices. After a visit by Federal Minister Cem Özdemir and Agriculture Minister Till Backhaus, Schwarz showed how important energy self-sufficiency is for the cider factory. Given the current geopolitical situation, he recently received European funding to expand his photovoltaic system to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. These green initiatives are in line with the promotion of orchards, which are not only a valuable cultural asset but will also remain of great importance in times of climate change.

The Kneese cider factory has set itself the goal of achieving energy self-sufficiency in order to work independently of external conditions. This development makes it clear that there is a clear trend in the industry towards sustainable practices that promote the preservation of natural areas and regional identity.

The future of the orchards lies in the hands of people like those in Rinteln and Kneese, who take on the challenges of the times with good instinct and at the same time want to preserve the cuisine and heritage of their region. The cider production project in Rinteln brings a breath of fresh air to the processing of fruit and also creates spaces for biodiversity, which is indispensable in our landscapes.