The Innovation Farm as a research infrastructure & pilot plant
At InnoHof, researchers can develop and test innovative concepts and technologies for a sustainable, circular bioeconomy. This can be done on lab scale, in pilot plants and in practice. Practical agriculture with plant cultivation and animal husbandry is combined with pilot plants in a research biorefinery with algae cultivation, insect breeding, natural fibre processing, production of biochemicals and waste management with an integrated biogas plant. Innovative ideas can thus be tested in practice in agriculture. Preliminary experiments can be realised at test stations such as the Field Lab for Digital Agriculture in Marquardt.
Partners contribute their existing research structures for the work on scientific problems, which are supplemented with new installations of the InnoHof. To this end, the existing, independent agricultural partner (LVAT e.V.) is being continuously diversified, digitalised, and supplemented with the InnoHof's research biorefinery in its direct neighbourhood. Necessary construction measures in Groß Kreutz will be realised with the state funding (turnkey completion expected in 2027).
The pilot plant offers Leibniz institutions, universities and non-university research institutions an outstanding research infrastructure for conducting joint research on current interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary issues.
Another focus is on the transfer of technology and knowledge to practical farmers as well as the communication of modern, sustainable agriculture and biomass utilisation to consumers.