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We are Naturland

"Have your own view of organic farming!"

An interview with Frauke Weissang, member of the Naturland Board of Directors

Marcus Nürnberger, Naturland e.V.

Service & Expertise

You are currently the only member of the Board of Directors who does not live in Germany. Your farm is in Italy.

Frauke Weissang: Yes, I've been living in Italy since 1992. I don't come from a farming background, but I've always been interested in it. My great-grandfather was a farmer in East Frisia (in northern Germany). As a consumer of organic products for over 40 years, it was a matter close to my heart to go into organic farming after the seven-year set-aside program of the land around my house ended in 1996.

I was elected twice as international delegate, in 2005 and 2015. As an international delegate, I was elected onto the Board of Directors, which I served from 2005 to 2014 and from 2021 until today. (I gave up my position as a delegate when I joined the Board of Directors.)

My thoughts are strongly focused on the southern hemisphere of the world and on small-scale farming structures. The people there are not as protected as we are in Europe and often have other problems that quickly become existential. This and my intercultural experiences as an “expatriate” have sensitized me to the needs, cultural aspects, lifestyles and ways of thinking of people in other regions of the world.

Frauke Weissang at her farm in Italy (Image: Naturland e.V.)

What do you expect from organic farming? And what societal challenges are there?

Frauke Weissang: I expect that organic farming is practiced with respect for people, animals, the soil, the environment and biodiversity. I want it to change people's lives for the better - farmers, their families and people in general.

Fair prices are an important argument but need to be defined more clearly. Fair for whom? The farmer and their families and employees, the consumer or just for the trade? Long-term trade relations are a basic prerequisite for fair pricing. This requires buyers to understand the living conditions and location-specific characteristics.

Logistics are also very much dependent on the conditions in the various regions of the world. Producer groups and cooperatives are an extremely important form of organization. Especially for the smallest growers, who could not survive without these associations. Unfortunately, the new EU regulations have now limited the number of members, which will significantly increase certification costs in the countries of the South.

Child labor is regulated by law in the EU, but unfortunately not in other regions of the world. Children need regular and sufficient food, clothing, and medical care, but also a regular and continuous school education!

How would you describe your role as a member of the Board of Directors?

Frauke Weissang: I am the link between the international members and Germany. I see my responsibility as representing the needs of international members in particular. I want to drive forward the process of internationalization and to address the associated challenges in the Board of Directors. To this end, I am in close contact with the international delegates, ensure that the WAB remains active and that an active exchange takes place.

Your work as a member of the Board of Directors is honorary. How much time do you invest into it?

Frauke Weissang: The Board of Directors meets 5-6 times a year in Gräfelfing, which takes about 3 days each time including travel time. In addition, the Board of Directors has at least 1-2 online meetings per month, and we convene at the Assembly of Delegates twice a year. Then there is the presence at BioFach [the trade fair in Nuremberg] and possibly Grüne Woche [the consumer fair in Berlin]. And there's the work with the WAB, information events, international delegates' meetings and the specialist group for viticulture. I also want to stay informed, read and answer emails and chat messages. Quite a lot!

You once said: “My vision is to develop regional organic markets worldwide - and definitely with more women.” What advice would you give to female colleagues at Naturland?

Frauke Weissang: The presence of women as volunteers at Naturland is important, there are far too few of them! Please, dear women, you all work on your husband's or your partner's farm. Get actively involved, allow yourselves to have your own view of organic farming. Please put aside the feeling that you are not up to the job. You can quickly learn what you have not yet mastered. Speaking up in a meeting should not and must not be reserved for male colleagues only! Have the confidence to do more! I was delighted to see a young woman with a baby at our Assembly of Delegates last May. She was accompanied by her husband, who looked after the baby during the meeting. Hats off to this form of cooperation!

The interview was conducted by Marcus Nürnberger, specialist for agricultural policy at Naturland. The interview was carried out in German and then translated.

Header image: Naturland e.V.