Access To Land

Switzerland
Stiftung Edith Maryon

The nonprofit foundation "Stiftung Edith Maryon" sees its mission in removing, in dialogue with owners and users, land and properties from the stream of commerce and inheritance in such a way that they are no longer objects of speculation but instead made available, permanently but flexibly, to new projects that serve society.

The primary goal in each case – to enduringly secure socially responsible places of residence and work – is to reduce the encumbrance of debt on the property. The Foundation strives to a create a situation of transparency and clarity in regard to questions of land use, and is committed to high-density and mixed-use development, to biodynamic agriculture, and to green building methods.

One concern of the Foundation is the conservation of biodynamically farmed land in order to place it enduringly – over the generations – in the service of this especially sustainable method of farming. Through purchases, donations and bequests, Stiftung Edith Maryon acquires farmland and agricultural enterprises, which are subsequently leased long-term to farmers employing biodynamic methods.

Property acquisition is focused on Switzerland and the neighbouring countries, particularly Germany and Austria. The Foundation owns about 800 hectares farmland in these countries.



Main activities: Farming ; Land stewardship ; Support for farmers ; Policy/ advocacy ; Ethical finance ; Land acquisition/ ownership ; Public education ; Awareness raising ; New entrants

Geographical scope: International

Types of agriculture: CSA, AMAP, consumers co-operative ; Local supply chains ; Organic ; Peasant ; Biodynamic


Place: Gerbergasse 30, 4001 Basel
Creation Date: 1990
Web site: www.maryon.ch
Contact person: Dr. Ulrich Kriese
Organisation's contact email address: u.kriese@maryon.ch


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