The CLAAS Foundation supports five primary schools in education for sustainable development

Ulm, July 2025. The CLAAS Foundation announced today the launch of an extraordinary project that, in cooperation with Acker e.V., introduces five primary schools to the fascinating world of vegetable cultivation.

As part of the ‘Acker’ project, which began in 2025, pupils learn how to grow their own vegetables while developing a conscious approach to nature and food.

With financial support from the CLAAS Foundation, the participating schools will be guided over the next four years by the social enterprise Acker e. V. with the GemüseAckerdemie educational programme. The educational programme promotes playful and research-based learning and thus initiates an important process for sustainable development. “Awareness of mindful handling of food, learning cultivation and care skills, and direct contact with nature are crucial for the education of our children,” says Sylvia Looks, Executive Board member of the CLAAS Foundation.

Within the framework of the so-called GemüseAckerdemie, pupils and their teachers prepare for the garden season: mulching, hoeing, creating beds, and planting seeds. The responsibility for caring for the cultivated plants lies in the hands of the children, allowing them to take real responsibility and practically learn about sustainability and nutrition. Additionally, teachers receive digital further training via the Acker Learning Platform and are supported by an Acker Coach.

"While planting, tending, and tasting together in the field, children learn about natural cycles and discover how delicious fresh vegetables taste,” explains Annika Glaser, Partner Manager at Acker e.V. Around 600 children are reached as part of the four-year programme and spend an average of two to three hours a week learning about vegetable cultivation, healthy eating, food appreciation, and sustainability.

The project is part of the STEM funding that the CLAAS Foundation has been actively advancing for more than 15 years to inspire young people in technology- and agriculture-related fields. With Acker e.V., the CLAAS Foundation has a competent partner supporting the development of children into environmentally aware and responsible individuals.
 

More information about the ‘Acker’ project and the activities of the CLAAS Foundation.