Acker

Acker is an organization headquartered near Berlin, Germany, focusing on educational programming that connects children and young people with food, agriculture, and the environment. Founded in 2014 by Dr. Christoph Schmitz, Acker operates with the aim of providing hands-on experiences in growing food and understanding sustainable agriculture. The organization’s main initiative, “Ackerdemia,” enables schools and early childhood centers to integrate gardening and food cultivation into their curricula. Through this program, Acker supports educational institutions across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. As of the most recent figures, the initiative has reached over 1,500 schools and kindergartens, involving more than 100,000 children and educators. Acker’s approach centers on practical learning. Their teams supply seeds, tools, and teaching materials, and provide guidance from local experts. The program runs throughout the growing season, with participants planting, maintaining, and harvesting their own crops. Acker’s staff monitors results, collects data on harvests, and documents how schools use newly grown produce. The organization continues to expand its offerings. Recent projects include collaborations with municipalities to create public edible landscapes and workshops for adults on topics such as urban gardening. Acker’s activities are supported by a mix of charitable funding, public grants, and school participation fees. Acker’s stated purpose is to foster environmental literacy and healthier eating habits by making food production tangible for young people, while its scale and partnerships reflect growing interest in nature-based education in Germany.