Profile

  • since 2004 freelance trainer and consultant

The basics in humanistic psychology that I got during my work in Hohenheim are the foundation of my present trainings and consultancy. Main working areas focus on the people and organisation in rural areas or in the agricultural sector. Research and expertises are dealing with agricultural education and advisory work in Germany and foreign countries.

athomas

1967 born in the urban environment of Mannheim, I was supported by my parents to freely choose my professional way. Attracted by environmental issues and developments in the 80ies I decided to study agriculture.

  • 1986-1988 Basic study in Agriculture and pre-diploma at the Justus-Liebig-University, Gießen. Practical training in agriculture in Germany and France.
  • 1988-1990 Agricultural apprenticeship and vocational school nearby Tübingen (Gutsbetrieb Schloss Roseck, Unterjesingen) and Darmstadt (Eichwaldhof).
  • 1990-1995 Graduation in Agriculture (Diplom) at the University of Hohenheim and at the Oregon State University Corvallis, USA (Master of Agriculture). Areas of specification: stream ecology, rangeland resources, agricultural education and advisory work.

During my studies it became more important to see the people as centre and starting point for environmental sound agriculture and I focused on the questions of learning and problem-solving-processes for sustainable development.

  • 1996-2004 Research assistant at the Department of Agricul-tural Communication and Extension, University of Hohenheim and PhD-Graduation with the thesis on ‚Possibilities of agricultural education and advisory work to enhance water protective farming methods’.
  • teachings: trainings in advisory consultation, moderation and visualisation techniques, co-operation and communication, adult education and rural communication and extension.
  • research: projects for the Federal environmental agency (UBA), the German Horticultural association (ZVG e.V.) and assignment in the cultural landscape project Hohenlohe for the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).