DLG – German Agricultural Society: The open network and professional voice of agriculture and the food sector
Established in 1885, the German Agricultural Society (Deutsche Landwirtschafts-Gesellschaft, or DLG) is a politically independent, non-profit organization promoting technical and scientific progress in the food and farming sectors. It was founded by the engineer and writer Max Eyth, who was convinced that the industrial revolution, and mechanization in particular, would have a major impact on agriculture.
The founder’s focus on knowledge transfer remains at the center of the DLG’s activities today, and it has grown to become one of the leading organizations in the fields of agriculture, agribusiness, and food production and manufacturing. Membership, which is open to individuals, companies and institutions committed to these activities, now numbers more than 31,000 worldwide.
DLG Competence Centers Agriculture and Food: Knowledge management for a successful future
Knowledge and expertise. DLG’s networks of experts develop solutions to the challenges facing agriculture, agribusiness and the food sector. Some 5,500 experts – farmers, academics, consultants and administration and policy specialists – work closely together on a volunteer basis. Around 120 committees, work groups and commissions address issues such as agricultural production technology, management and governance, as well as quality assurance, technology and sensory sciences in the food industry.
DLG’s two competence centers – Agriculture and Food – organize congresses, conferences and forums and are important platforms for professional dialogue and innovation. These offerings are complemented by various publications such as DLG papers, DLG Expert Knowledge and international trend analyses. The DLG Academy gives its students the opportunity to gain key qualifications for the future, ranging from practical skills to strategic business planning.
The DLG Test Centers: Setting quality standards. Providing orientation.
The society’s twin competencies of agriculture and food are underpinned by two nationally and internationally accredited test centers: the DLG-Test Center Technology and Farm Inputs and the DLG Test Center Food. The Test Centers are committed to an unbiased and independent assessment, applying state-of-the-art knowledge and test systems. As such they also set quality standards on an international scale.
The DLG Test Center Food conducts tests on tens of thousands of products manufactured in Germany and abroad. The ‘DLG Award Winner’ label enjoys the highest trust among manufacturers and consumers. Based in the town of Groß-Umstadt near Frankfurt, the DLG Test Center for Technology and Farm Inputs commands a leading position in testing and certifying equipment, inputs and consumables for the agricultural industry. In more than 5,000 test reports, farmers can find clear guidance on farm machines and products, inputs and consumables that are used in agriculture and the food industry.
The organization’s practical approach can also be seen at the DLG’s 600-hectare International Crop Production Center at Bernburg-Strenzfeld, which conducts plot trials and practical machinery tests, as well as hosting outdoor shows and demonstrations.
Fairs and exhibitions: Forums for progress.
Max Eyth understood the value of professional trade fairs for communicating with members, and the society’s first exhibition was held in Frankfurt in 1887. This principle has remained paramount, and has helped the organization’s events grow to become leaders on the global stage. Trade fairs and shows ‘made by DLG’ serve as forums for ideas, innovation and networking and are held in great esteem by international, national and regional exhibitors and visitors. Leading fairs of international repute such as AGRITECHNICA and EuroTier and more than 30 shows in many countries provide campuses where information is shared on current trends and issues in the agricultural and food industries.
More information on the DLG is available at www.dlg.org
