Kulturland-Genossenschaft

What Kulturland-Genossenschaft does

Kulturland-Genossenschaft (legal name Kulturland eG) is a German registered cooperative founded in 2014 and headquartered in Hitzacker, Lower Saxony, that acquires agricultural land and holds it in community ownership to prevent speculation and enable long-term organic farming. The cooperative purchases farmland and leases it to 53 partner farms (as of the latest data) across Germany through regional Kommanditgesellschaften (KG) structures, using 30-year lease contracts that are automatically extended 10 years before expiry and rents decoupled from soil market prices. By Q3 2025 the cooperative had secured 788 hectares and grown to 3,605 individual members, each holding one or more Genossenschaftsanteile at €500 per share; all share capital flows directly into land purchases.

Revenue mechanics are hybrid and non-traditional for a commercial enterprise. The four primary streams are: (i) Genossenschaftsanteile (cooperative shares at €500 each, cancellable after 5 years with a recommended voluntary 5% cost-coverage contribution), (ii) Solidarischer Höfebeitrag (solidarity farm contributions set through a bi-annual bidding process based on what each farm can afford rather than market rent), (iii) Spenden und Zustiftungen (tax-deductible donations and endowments routed through Schweisfurth Stiftung for land purchases and Klee-Stiftung for conservation, with Klee-Stiftung donations eligible for 1:1 public funding matching on 50%-funded projects), and (iv) Land Pacht (land rent paid by partner farms to the regional KG entities). The cooperative is governed by a two-tier board (Vorstand and Aufsichtsrat) with one-member-one-vote regardless of share count.

Go-to-market is community-led: campaigns are run jointly with each partner farm, supported by a volunteer ambassador network, quarterly info evenings, monthly Hofnachfolge-Stammtisch roundtables, a quarterly Rundbrief newsletter, and earned media in agricultural, sustainability, and mainstream outlets. The model explicitly favors farms with social openness (community-supported agriculture, educational programs, nature conservation) rather than purely commercial organic operations. An affiliated non-independent charitable foundation, Klee-Stiftung (founded 2019), handles nature conservation and education projects, while the FarmStarter Hamburg research project (launched January 2026 with FH Südwestfalen, Agronauten e.V., and Agrarsoziale Gesellschaft e.V., funded by Hamburg's BUKEA authority) extends the model into urban-peri-urban farm succession.

Name

Kulturland-Genossenschaft

Legal name

Kulturland-Genossenschaft

Website

https://kulturland.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Kulturland-Genossenschaft (Kulturland eG) is a German agricultural cooperative founded in 2014 that acquires farmland for community ownership, leasing 788 hectares to 53 organic partner farms via long-term contracts, funded by €500 shares from 3,605 members.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Land Trust Services

NAICS

Farm Management Services (115116), Support Activities for Animal Production (115210)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (Fair Trade, Food Access, Regenerative) (BPAGALAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)

Keywords

• Cooperative land ownership
• Agricultural land trust
• Organic farming support
• Farm succession services
• Community-owned farmland

Headquarters

HQ city

Hitzacker

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Genossenschaftsanteile (Cooperative Shares): Members purchase cooperative shares at €500 each. The shares are not interest-bearing and can be cancelled after 5 years with 6 months notice to year-end. Members pay a voluntary cost coverage contribution (recommended 5% of share value) to cover administrative costs. All share capital flows directly into land purchase projects.
2. Solidarischer Höfebeitrag (Solidarity Farm Contribution): Partner farms pay a solidarity-based annual contribution determined through a bi-annual bidding process. This replaces traditional rent and is based on what each farm can afford rather than market rates. The contribution funds the cooperative's basic operating costs.
3. Spenden und Zustiftungen (Donations and Endowments): The cooperative accepts tax-deductible donations and endowments through partnerships with Schweisfurth Stiftung (for land purchase projects) and Klee-Stiftung (for nature conservation, education, and science projects). Donations to Klee-Stiftung receive 1:1 matching from public funding for 50% funded projects.
4. Land Pacht (Land Rental): Partner farms rent land from regional Kommanditgesellschaften (KG) owned by the cooperative. The 30-year lease contracts are quasi-indefinite as they are extended 10 years before expiry. Pacht is decoupled from soil prices and based on long-term biodiversity and soil fertility goals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Kulturland eG is a registered German cooperative that acquires agricultural land through member share purchases (€500 per share) and makes it available to regional organic farms via 30-year, quasi-indefinite lease contracts held by regional Kommanditgesellschaften (KG). The cooperative protects farmland from speculation, supports farm succession outside family lines, and connects members with 53 partner farms managing 788 hectares of secured agricultural land across Germany.

Product overview

Kulturland-Genossenschaft is a German agricultural cooperative that enables community ownership of farmland to protect it from speculation. The core offering consists of cooperative membership shares (Genossenschaftsanteile) at €500 each, which fund land acquisitions for regional organic farms. Members can purchase shares tied to specific partner farms (Partnerhöfe campaigns) or unbound shares for flexible land security. The organization facilitates farm succession (Hofübergabe) and provides associated services including donations/endowments via the Klee-Stiftung, ambassador networking, and the FarmStarter Hamburg research project. Currently 3,605 members support 53 partner farms across 788 hectares of secured agricultural land.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FarmStarter Hamburg: Research project focused on farm succession and agricultural entrepreneurship in Hamburg's surrounding area, funded by the Hamburger Behörde für Umwelt, Klimaschutz, Energie und Agrarwirtschaft (BUKEA).
• Klee-Stiftung

Products and services

• Genossenschaftsanteile (Cooperative Shares)
• Partnerhöfe (Partner Farm Campaigns)
• Freie Anteile (Unbound Shares)

Quantifiable outcome

• 788 hectares of agricultural land secured for organic farming
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Fachhochschule SüdwestfalencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Scientific lead for FarmStarter Hamburg project. Conducts surveys and interviews to understand motivations and needs of farm successors and retiring farmers. Develops strategies for viable farm business models in urban/peri-urban agriculture context.
• Agronauten e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Research organization networked across Europe on local food culture and municipal agricultural policy. Contributes 'Farm Incubator' concept to FarmStarter Hamburg project. Analyzes European models for carrier structures of farm incubators with long-term support.
• Agrarsoziale Gesellschaft e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Organization dedicated to improving living conditions in rural areas and agriculture. Leads the work package on finding solutions for vacant farmsteads, investigating diversification and repurposing potentials for empty greenhouses, farmsteads, and agricultural infrastructure.
• Schweisfurth StiftungcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for tax-deductible donations and endowments (Zustiftungen). The Schweisfurth Stiftung receives donations into its 'Sondervermögen Kulturland eG' and uses them to purchase non-cancellable cooperative shares. Land acquired through these shares is permanently secured and cannot be sold. This enables members to make tax-deductible contributions while ensuring long-term land preservation.
• Solidarische Landwirtschaft (Netzwerk Solawi)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerNetwork connecting community-supported agriculture initiatives across Germany. Kulturland eG works with Solawi farms and promotes Solawi models among partner farms. Cross-promotion of membership opportunities and shared values around regional, sustainable food systems.
• Slow Food DeutschlandmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSlow Food is an organization dedicated to a food system based on fairness, sustainability, and pleasure. Kulturland eG featured in Slow Food magazine and awarded Ursula Hudson-Preis. Both organizations promote sustainable, regional food production and biodiversity preservation.
• Bündnis Junge LandwirtschaftminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCoalition promoting young farmers and agricultural transition. Kulturland partners with member farms and shares common goals around supporting new entrants to farming.
• Aktion KulturlandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCampaign organization working on agricultural and food policy issues in Germany. Shared network and advocacy goals around sustainable agriculture.
• Zugang zu Land / Access to Land EuropeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEuropean network working on access to agricultural land for new farmers. Kulturland eG is a member, sharing experiences on land access models across Europe and learning from other national initiatives.
• Gemeingut LandwirtschaftminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInitiative promoting commons-based approaches to agricultural land ownership. Kulturland's community land ownership model aligns with Gemeingut Landwirtschaft's goals.
• Ruralization EUminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEuropean project on rural regeneration and new entrant farming. Kulturland eG participates in knowledge sharing and network building across EU on land access and farm succession issues.
• Wir haben es satt!minorGTM or Marketing PartnerGerman food sovereignty coalition advocating for sustainable, fair food systems. Kulturland eG aligns with coalition goals around agricultural transformation.
• RegionalbewegungminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNetwork promoting regional economic cycles and local food systems. Kulturland eG's focus on regional organic farms and community food connections aligns with Regionalbewegung goals.
• Aktion AgrarminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAgricultural policy advocacy organization. Shared goals around agricultural transformation and supporting sustainable farming models.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Terre de Liens: French community land trust movement combining a cooperative (SCIC) and endowment foundation (Foncière) to acquire farmland for organic and peasant agriculture. Mirrors Kulturland's cooperative-plus-foundation structure and is the closest international analogue.
• BioBoden Genossenschaft: German cooperative founded in 2018 with a near-identical mission of acquiring and preserving agricultural land for organic farming through member share financing. Operates as a direct competitor for partner farms and member capital in Germany.

Broad incumbents

• Soil Association: UK's largest organic certification and advocacy charity. Comparable as a broad incumbent in organic farming but focuses on certification and policy rather than land ownership/transfer services.
• Demeter e.V. German biodynamic agriculture association certifying partner farms and governing the Demeter standard. Comparable as ecosystem steward but does not directly acquire land for farmers.
• Bioland: Germany's largest organic farming association with ~9,000 member farms. Comparable as a broad organic-farming ecosystem player but does not directly own or transfer land.

Emerging players

• Regionalwert AG: German impact shareholder AG mobilizing citizen capital for regional organic value chains. Overlaps with Kulturland in supporting regional organic agriculture but uses an investment-led model rather than cooperative land ownership.
• Hof sucht Bauer: German online matchmaking platform connecting retiring farmers with new entrants for non-family farm succession. Highly comparable to Kulturland's Hofübergabe service but operates digitally without land acquisition infrastructure.

Others

• NABU (Naturschutzbund Deutschland): Germany's largest nature and biodiversity conservation association. Comparable through nature conservation funding (awarded Kulturland partner Hof Biolee) and parallel ecosystem advocacy around agricultural land use.
• Aktion Kulturland: German advocacy organization campaigning on agricultural land policy and Bodenrechte. Allied with Kulturland through shared networks (listed as a partner organization on kulturland.de) but does not directly acquire land.
• Schweisfurth Stiftung: Foundation partner channeling tax-deductible donations into Kulturland cooperative shares for permanent land security. Operates as an enabling/infrastructure partner in the cooperative's capital stack.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kulturlandgenossenschaft

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Kulturland-Genossenschaft