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From September 17th to 19th, the ZALF Landscape Conference brought together researchers to discuss the transformation of agricultural landscapes. This year, the conference took place in Berlin, and our group was well-represented by Birgit, Julia, Jona and Kaja.

Birgit organized a session titled "Modelling farmers’ decision-making to investigate and enhance transformation of agroecosystems." The session focused on understanding how farmers’ decisions shape agricultural landscapes and how modeling can support transitions toward sustainability. It was well-attended and generated lively discussions on approaches and methods.

Julia presented her work, "The impact of an organized hay market on income equality of dairy farmers: a network model study," as part of the session on Scales of collaborative action between farmers, politicians, and scientists. Her research sparked interesting questions about market interventions and their broader impacts on hay availability during droughts.

Kaja’s presentation, "Modelling the Impact of Nitrogen Policies on Food Security, Sustainability, and Equity," explored how different policy scenarios affect agriculture’s trade-offs and how farmers are affected based on the productivity of their land. This was part of the session on Justice dimensions of agricultural landscape transformations, where questions about equity and sustainability were central.

The conference also offered space for informal exchange. The conference dinner, held at Köpenick Palace, was a highlight, providing a relaxed atmosphere to connect with other participants while enjoying good food in a beautiful setting.

Overall, the conference was a great opportunity to present our work, engage in discussions with peers, and gain new perspectives. We returned with fresh ideas for our research and are looking forward to applying them in our ongoing projects.