Practice Abstract #11: Baumschule Kastanienkultur: a small-scale woody crop nursery growing the foundation of regenerative, regional food systems

The resilience and productivity of short food supply chains (SFSCs) can be strengthened by agroforestry systems (AFS). AFS do this by integrating trees and shrubs into farming systems to diversify food and income, buffer climate impacts, and enhance soil health and water cycling. Especially important are nut crops, which provide a perennial source of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins that are easy to store and process—an eco-friendly alternative to annual staple crops. A key barrier for AFS adoption in Europe is access to suitable woody plant material. Tree nurseries are often distant, lack appropriate species, and rely on intransparent supply chains and plant trading—affecting trust, quality, and crop success. Regional nurseries producing appropriate, seed-grown woody crop seedlings are vital for AFS and SFSCs yet are scarce. Baumschule Kastanienkultur (BK) in Germany is a unique small-scale tree and shrub nursery addressing a major gap in both AFS and SFSCs by growing specialized plants from seed, grafting if needed, and selling seedlings directly to regional customers establishing AFS.