What Apples & Co. does

Äpfel & Konsorten - Streuobstwiesen und -äcker e.V. (Apples & Co.) is a registered charitable non-profit association (e.V.) founded in Berlin in 2012 and headquartered in Storkow (Mark), Brandenburg, Germany. Its core mission is the conservation, re-establishment, and professional care of traditional meadow orchards (Streuobstwiesen) and their heritage apple varieties in Brandenburg. The organization manages approximately 30 hectares of orchards across 18 sites, operates a tree nursery in Glindow for propagating and grafting old varieties, and maintains the Streuobst-Kataster, a digital cadastre of orchard sites and varieties. Since 2018 it has held the designation of central competence office (Kompetenzstelle) for meadow orchards in Brandenburg, giving it an official advisory and coordinating role with state authorities.

The association generates income through a hybrid, community-led model: recurring tree godparent sponsorships (Baumpatenschaften) at €60/year with a minimum 2-year commitment, direct-to-consumer regional apple juice (Streuobst-Apfelsaft) sold in 3-liter Bag-in-Box format (€9.90 retail, €8.50 for members/volunteers), fee-based consulting for orchard planning and project implementation, a two-year professional training program (Obstbaumwart:in) partly subsidized by ILB, donations and corporate CSR contributions, and EU/ELER project grants such as the €400K+ 'Perspektiven Streuobst' initiative (Nov 2022 – Dec 2024). Operational delivery rests on a small core team of 1–10 paid staff (three-person board plus certified tree-care specialists) supported by 100+ members, 450+ volunteer helpers, and 500+ tree godparents. Customers span nature-conservation-minded individuals, landowners and farmers in Brandenburg seeking project planning and funding support, and companies with CSR/sustainability objectives (including Patagonia, Lush, Ecosia, DKB, KfW, Commerzbank, and Nike Berlin).

Underlying technology is horticultural rather than digital: traditional high-stem (Hochstamm) orchard systems, manual and certified arboricultural practices (pruning, grafting, planting), and a web presence built on standard CMS, Mailchimp email, Instagram, a Spotify podcast ('Im Paradiesgarten'), and YouTube. Distribution is primarily domestic — Berlin pickup stations (Naturkost Gr\u00fcnau, Dreiviertel Weine), regional direct sales, and online sponsorship bookings — with no claimed global footprint. The association is governed by its membership through general assemblies and is not investor-backed; it has no parent company and no subsidiaries.

Name

Apples & Co.

Legal name

Äpfel und Konsorten - Streuobstwiesen und -äcker e.V.

Website

https://aepfelundkonsorten.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Äpfel & Konsorten is a German non-profit association that conserves and manages traditional meadow orchards across 18 sites and 30 hectares in Brandenburg, generating revenue through tree sponsorships, regional apple juice sales, consulting, training, and EU/ELER grants, and serving individual conservationists, farmers, and CSR-oriented companies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nature Conservation Services

NAICS

Nursery and Tree Production (111421), Nursery and Floriculture Production (11142)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Orchard Management & Field Operations (Pruning/Training, Thinning, Irrigation/Fertigation) (AFAGACAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Orchard Establishment & Replanting (New Plantings, Rootstock Selection, Trellising Systems) (AFAGACAK), Tree Health Care (Diagnosis, Treatment, Fertilization) (HSAIADAD), Tree Pruning & Crown Management (HSAIADAA), Tree Nursery Stock Production (Seedlings, Saplings, Clonal Material) (AFAMACAA)

Keywords

• Meadow orchard conservation
• Fruit tree sponsorship
• Orchard consulting services
• Nature conservation association
• Fruit tree care training

Headquarters

HQ city

Storkow

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations & Membership Fees: The organization operates as a registered non-profit association (gemeinnütziger Verein). It is sustained by membership fees, regular donations, and corporate sponsorships. All proceeds from apple juice sales and tree godparent sponsorships flow back into the association's operations and active regional nature conservation.
2. Tree Godparent Sponsorships (Baumpatenschaften): Tree godparent sponsorships are sold at €60 per year (minimum 2-year commitment). Customers receive a personalized certificate, regular updates, and the satisfaction of supporting a specific fruit tree. The sponsorship can be deducted as a charitable donation.
3. Apple Juice Sales (Streuobst-Apfelsaft): Regional apple juice is sold at €9.90 per 3L Bag-in-Box (or €8.50 for members/volunteers). Available for self-pickup at Berlin stations or by arrangement. Revenue fully funds the non-profit association's work.
4. Consulting & Project Services: Fee-based consulting for Streuobst project planning, site inspections, soil sampling, planting plans, care advice, funding applications, and implementation services. Costs are tailored to project scope.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Äpfel & Konsorten is a non-profit association that supports farmers and landowners in the planning, maintenance, and financing of meadow orchard (Streuobstwiese) projects in Berlin and Brandenburg. Its core offerings include fee-based orchard consulting, a two-year professional fruit tree care training program (Obstbaumwart:in), a recurring tree sponsorship program (Baumpatenschaft) at €60/year, and the direct sale of regional apple juice (Streuobst-Apfelsaft) produced from heritage apple varieties. The organization also manages approximately 30 hectares of meadow orchards across 18 sites and operates a tree nursery in Glindow for grafting old fruit varieties.

Product overview

Äpfel & Konsorten is a non-profit association (e.V.) focused on preserving meadow orchards (Streuobstwiesen) in Brandenburg, Germany. Founded in 2012 and recognized as charitable since 2014, the organization offers a combination of conservation services, educational programs, and products. Core offerings include: (1) Streuobst-Beratung - advisory services for planning and implementing orchard projects; (2) Ausbildung zur Obstbaumwart:in - a two-year professional training program for orchard care; (3) Baumpatenschaft - tree sponsorship program enabling individuals to support fruit tree planting; (4) Streuobst-Apfelsaft - apple juice product made from heritage apple varieties; (5) direct management of approximately 30 hectares across 18 meadow orchard locations. The organization also provides volunteer work sessions, educational seminars, videos, and podcasts. Revenue from apple juice sales and tree sponsorships funds the association's conservation work.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Streuobst-Apfelsaft (Orchard Apple Juice) Regional apple juice made from old apple varieties (Goldparmäne, Boskoop, Prinz Albrecht von Preußen, Martens Sämling) grown on the association's meadow orchards in Brandenburg. Sold in 3-liter bag-in-box format with a tap for easy dispensing at €9.90 per box. Available for self-pickup at Berlin stations (Naturkost Gr\u00fcnau, Dreiviertel Weine) or by arrangement. All proceeds fund the association's conservation work.
• Baumpatenschaft (Tree Sponsorship) Recurring tree sponsorship program allowing individuals to support the planting and care of high-stem fruit trees on meadow orchards in Brandenburg. Sponsorship costs €60/year with a minimum 2-year commitment. Sponsors receive a personalized certificate, regular updates, and the satisfaction of supporting a specific fruit tree. Payments can be deducted as a charitable donation.
• Ausbildung zur Obstbaumwart:in (Fruit Tree Expert Training) Two-year professional training program for orchard and meadow orchard care, consisting of 8 weekend modules plus a 9th practical module. Covers fruit tree pruning, planting, meadow maintenance, and variety identification. Designed for tree care professionals, landscape gardeners, and students. The next training cohort begins in December 2026, with 50% cost reimbursement available through ILB funding.
• Streuobst-Beratung (Orchard Consultation) Fee-based advisory services for planning, planting, maintenance, and financing of meadow orchard projects in Berlin and Brandenburg. Includes site inspections, soil sampling, planting plans, care advice, funding applications, and implementation services. Targeted at farmers, landowners, and agricultural initiatives. Costs are tailored to project scope and can be partially subsidized through ILB funding programs.
• Streuobstwiesen-Pflege (Meadow Orchard Management) Direct management and maintenance services for meadow orchards across 18 locations covering approximately 30 hectares in Brandenburg, including planting, pruning, and harvesting activities. Operated by the association's team of tree care specialists (Baumpfleger) and tree nursery head.
• Im Paradiesgarten Podcast Podcast series featuring episodes on topics related to orchard cultivation, climate adaptation, biodiversity, and interviews with orchard actors. Available on Spotify and serves as educational content for the community and broader audience.

Quantifiable outcome

• 25 tonnes of apples harvested in 2025 (record harvest), processed into regional apple juice whose proceeds fund conservation work
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DeFAF – Deutscher Fachverband für AgroforstwirtschaftcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2022Project partner in the 'Perspektiven Streuobst' initiative (Nov 2022 – Dec 2024). DeFAF contributed expertise in agroforestry systems and coordinated the expert network for the project's action concept.
• Triebwerk Regenerative Land- und Agroforstwirtschaft UGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2022Project partner in 'Perspektiven Streuobst', contributing expertise in regenerative agriculture and agroforestry systems, including the development of educational content for the training program.
• Kerngehäuse e.V., Niederlausitzer HeidelandschaftminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2022Project partner contributing to the 'Perspektiven Streuobst' project, focusing on regional landscape and conservation in the Niederlausitz area.
• Ralf Behring – Der BehringhofminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2022Project partner in 'Perspektiven Streuobst', contributing practical farm-level insights into agroforestry and meadow orchard management.
• Ostmost (Streuobstwiesen Manufaktur GmbH)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerJuice producer partner that collaborates with Äpfel & Konsorten at events and media appearances at the Luchwiese. Ostmost processes orchard harvests into artisan apple juice and cider products.
• Heinrich von Kleist FoundationminorOthersBehringhof ( operated by Ralf Behring) serves as a venue partner for educational events such as the 'Agroforst' seminar in June 2026.
• German Environment Ministry (Umweltministerkonferenz)minorOthersAll 16 German state environment ministers participated in planting the Ministers' Variety Garden (Ministersortengarten) at the Luchwiese in 2018, creating a symbolic showcase orchard.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Triebwerk – Regenerative Land- und Agroforstwirtschaft: German consultancy in regenerative agriculture and agroforestry. Directly comparable as a Perspektiven Streuobst project partner and as a peer organization providing training, advisory services, and content on Streuobst/agroforestry systems.
• Hochstamm Deutschland e.V. German association promoting traditional high-stem orchards. Closely comparable to Äpfel & Konsorten's Streuobst mission, sharing the high-stem orchard advocacy, education, and member-supported conservation model.
• Pomologen-Verein e.V. National German society dedicated to preserving old fruit varieties and orchard stewardship. Directly comparable because one of Äpfel & Konsorten's team members trained in their working group, and both organizations focus on heritage variety preservation and orchard-care education.
• Streuobstwiesen Netzwerk Deutschland: National Streuobst network in Germany. Closely comparable to Äpfel & Konsorten as a peer organization aggregating actors, knowledge, and policy advocacy around meadow-orchard conservation at national scale.
• Deutscher Fachverband für Agroforstwirtschaft (DeFAF): German agroforestry association. Directly comparable as a project partner in the Perspektiven Streuobst initiative and as a peer non-profit operating in agroforestry knowledge dissemination, training, and policy advocacy.

Broad incumbents

• NABU Brandenburg: The Brandenburg state branch of Germany's largest nature-conservation association. Directly comparable as a regional non-profit focused on biodiversity and habitat protection, with overlapping stakeholder networks and public-funding sources.
• Heinz Sielmann Stiftung: Major German nature-conservation foundation. Comparable as a larger, established donor/foundation that funds Streuobst and biodiversity work in Brandenburg, and listed as one of Äpfel & Konsorten's supporters.
• BUND Brandenburg: Brandenburg branch of the Friends of the Earth Germany network. Comparable as a regional environmental non-profit active in landscape conservation, policy advocacy, and member/donor mobilization in the same geography.

Regional players

• Fördergemeinschaft Ökologischer Landbau Berlin-Brandenburg (FÖL): Regional association promoting organic farming in Berlin-Brandenburg. Comparable as a listed supporter of Äpfel & Konsorten and as a peer non-profit convening organic/agroecological stakeholders in the same region.
• Naturpark Barnim: Regional nature park authority in Brandenburg. Comparable as a publicly-supported body engaged in landscape stewardship, Streuobst conservation, and nature-based education in overlapping Brandenburg geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/aepfelundkonsorten
• Xx.com/aepfelkonsorten

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Apples & Co.