The creation or management of orchards can be financially supported in many federal states. Which pots can be tapped varies greatly from state to state - it's best to ask your local nature conservation authority or the responsible environmental agency directly.
How are orchards financially supported?
Promotion of orchards varies depending on the federal state. In Bavaria, up to 70% of the costs for materials and trees can be financed through the Lower Nature Conservation Authority. Baden-Württemberg promotes tree trimming bonuses of up to €15 per tree, and in Lower Saxony there are several funding bodies such as the Lower Saxony Bingo Environmental Foundation and the German Federal Environmental Foundation.
Funding in Bavaria
If you want to create a new orchard, you can have this project supported by various bodies. In accordance with the Bavarian landscape conservation and nature park guidelines, the Lower Nature Conservation Authority covers up to 70 percent of the costs for materials and trees. The nature conservation authority is affiliated with your local district office. The Bavarian State Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Forestry even covers up to 100 percent of the costs for trees and seeds as part of the “More Green Through Rural Development” campaign. Existing orchards can also be supported, for example through the Bavarian Contracted Nature Conservation Program (VNP) or the Cultural Landscape Program (KULAP). Both measures pay up to eight euros per tree.
Funding in Baden-Württemberg
With around 100,000 hectares, Baden-Württemberg is home to the most orchards in Germany. Of course, the federal state wants to preserve this diversity and therefore primarily supports existing plantings with a tree pruning bonus of up to 15 euros per tree. The funding can be applied for by communities, associations or initiatives.
Funding in Lower Saxony
Anyone living in Lower Saxony can submit funding applications for the creation of new orchards or the management of existing orchards to the following offices:
- Lower Saxony Bingo Environmental Foundation
- Promotion of rural areas and nature and environmental protection by the state of Lower Saxony itself
- German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU) (as part of the funding priority nature conservation)
- Foundation for Cultural Land Conservation
- as well as some regional foundations or community foundations that are active in the area of environmental and nature conservation.
Tips & Tricks
In addition, many other federal states, including Brandenburg, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia and Thuringia, offer individual funding programs for the creation of new orchards or the management of existing orchards. Often you can simply ask at the local NABU office.
