Hans Eisenmann-Academy
Online Speaker Series on Agricultural Research
The HEF Academy was established in 2009 and has since developed into an important platform for knowledge transfer between science, business, politics and society. Lecture events, workshops and conferences bring together interested parties and experts from the various fields of agricultural science and industry for professional exchange. The lecture events of the HEF Academy are aimed at all interested parties and are free of charge. The lecture series takes place online. The registration link for the date is in the overview below.
Digital growth: Data in agriculture and research [event series held in German]
WiSe 25/26
How can data make agriculture and food systems more sustainable, efficient, and resilient?
Digital data is increasingly shaping how we farm and conduct agricultural research. In this four-part online lecture series, we explore why data plays a key role in sustainable, efficient, and resilient agricultural and food systems—and how modern infrastructures, technologies, and applications can harness this potential.
| Thursday, 16. October 2025 17:00 | Prof. Dr. Frank Ewert (ZALF) Dr. Carsten Hoffmann (ZALF) Dr. Anne Sennhenn (ATB) | FAIRagro - FAIR Research data management for agricultural systems research | Registration 16. October 2025 |
| Thursday, 20. November 2025 17 Uhr | Prof. Dr. Senthold Asseng (TUM) Dr. Andreas Donaubauer (TUM) Prof. Dr. Patrick Noack (HSWT) | From the field to the simulation: Supporting decisions in agriculture through data interoperability and automization | Registration 20. November 2025 |
| Thursday, 11. December 2025 17:00 | Dr. Matthias Nachtmann (Friends of Digital Farming e.V.) | Data drives future - Rethinking value creation in agricultural and food systems | Registration 11. December 2025 |
| Thursday, 15. January 2026 17:00 | Dr. Johanna Ahmann (Landwirtschaftskammer Nordrhein-Westfalen) Dr. Christian Hennig (phermarobotics GmbH) | Data-Driven Agrifood Systems – norms for the agriculture of the future | Registration 15. January 2026 |
Past semesters
The lectures of the HEF Academy are streamed live via the HEF YouTube channel and are also accessible afterwards.
Summer semester 2025
Horticulture is undergoing change—ecological, economic, and technological developments are presenting the industry with new challenges. This series of lectures focuses on three key topics: the economic situation of horticulture, the opportunities and obstacles of phasing out peat by 2030, and the role of robotics and artificial intelligence in production. Learn how research and practice are working together to develop sustainable and future-proof solutions!
Thursday, 5 pm, online | Dr. Hildegard Garming Economics of Horticulture Thünen Institute of Farm Economics | Factors affecting competitiveness - Where does fruit and vegetable growing stand in Germany? |
Thursday, 5 pm, online | Dr. Dieter Lohr Institute for Horticulture HSWT | Phasing out peat by 2030 – wishful thinking or a realistic option? |
Thursday, 5 pm, online | Prof. Dr. Jana Zinkernagel Institute for Vegetable Cultivation Hochschule Geisenheim | Can AI resolve the tension between increasing complexity and practical feasibility in vegetable production? |
To kick off our series of lectures on horticulture, we are delighted to welcome Dr. Hildegard Garming from the Thünen Institute. In her lecture, she will provide insight into the current economic situation of fruit and vegetable cultivation in Germany. Her presentation is based on a comprehensive situation analysis by the Thünen Institute, which highlights key factors influencing competitiveness. Dr. Garming will also discuss current developments and highlight opportunities and risks for the sector. An exciting insight into the challenges and prospects of an important industry!
The HEF academy will take place online via Zoom.
The agricultural industry is facing major challenges - from increasing demands for sustainability to digitalisation. In this lecture series, start-ups will present innovative solutions on key topics such as precision agriculture, regenerative agriculture, biostimulants, computer vision and AI on three dates. Experience first-hand how new technologies and creative approaches have the potential to make agriculture sustainable and fit for the future.
Our three lectures this semester:
| 28. November 2024 | Precision Farming | Satellite-based technologies have the potential to accurately estimate agricultural yields before the harvest. They can also help to reduce nitrate inputs into groundwater. Through targeted monitoring, these digital systems offer innovative, scalable methods for making agricultural processes more sustainable and thus improving drinking water protection, for example, by enabling more targeted measures to be derived. | Dr. Mittermayer and YieldXperts with Prof. Hülsbergen |
| 19. Dezember 2024 | Regenerative Agriculture and Biostimulants | Regenerative agriculture relies on sustainable practices that maintain soil fertility and promote biodiversity to create long-term healthy ecosystems. Biostimulants can play a key role by reactivating soil life and strengthening microorganisms essential for nutrient cycling and plant health. Promoting biodiversity in the soil not only brings ecological benefits, but also creates economic potential, as healthy soils form the basis for stable harvests and better climate adaptation. How can we work together to protect and use this valuable resource even more effectively? | Alganize with Prof. Dr. Michael Schloter |
| 30. Januar 2025 | Computer Vision and AI in Agriculture | Agriculture is becoming more and more digitalized! Tools such as computer vision and AI are becoming increasingly popular. What solutions are available here? One example of this is the startup Karevo. They are active in the manual/visual quality control of ware potatoes, which is time-consuming and error-prone. There is no suitable technology, especially for smaller farms. Karevo uses computer vision and artificial intelligence to automate this work step, thus relieving the burden on farms. | Karevo with Prof. Heinz Bernhardt |
| May 2nd, 2024 5 pm | Vertical Farming - More than salad Prof. Senthold Asseng | Technical University of Munich |
| June 6th, 2024 5 pm | Micro alge for feed production Dr. Fabian Wahl | Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research WBF, Agroscope |
| July 4th, 2024 5 pm | Insects in food production Prof. Andreas Vilcinskas | Justus-Liebig-University Gießen |
| July 25th 5 pm | Cellular Agriculture: New opportunities from the lab Prof. Marius Henkel | Technical University of Munich |
Discover the future of agriculture: This semester, the Hans Eisenmann Academy is highlighting the topic of "Regenerative Agriculture" . From biodiversity to soil fertility to nutrient self-sufficiency - our lectures offer insights into sustainable, healthy agriculture. Be there!
| Oct 19th 5 pm | Biodiversität, Agrarökologie und One Health: Perspektiven für eine gesunde und produktive Landwirtschaft Prof. Maria Finckh, University of Kassel https://tinyurl.com/HEF-Akademie-19Oktober23 |
| Nov 9th 5 pm | Der Beitrag verschiedener Anbausysteme auf die Bodenfruchtbarkeit Dr. Paul Mäder, FiBL Switzerland https://tinyurl.com/HEF-Akademie-09November23 |
| Dec 21st 5 pm | Ist Nährstoff-Autarkie im ökologischen Landbau möglich? Prof. Miriam Athmann, University of Kassel https://tinyurl.com/HEF-Akademie-21Dezember23 |
| Feb 1st 5 pm | XXX CANCELLED DUE TO ILLNESS XXX Dr. Stefanie Albrecht, Hochschule für nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde https://tinyurl.com/HEF-Akademie-01Februar2024 |