Winter wheat is one of the most important crops. The cultivation of old varieties was a major cultural achievement. Here in the museum, we preserve varieties such as “Eckendorfer Dickkopfwinterweizen” and “Siegerländer Landweizen.” Both are storage-stable and resistant. Preserving them serves to protect genetic diversity and secures valuable seeds for the future. The seeds come from the Gatersleben crop bank and contribute to the preservation of agricultural history.
For centuries, rye was the most important “bread crop” in Westphalia’s sod farming economy. It provided reliable yields on nutrient-poor soils and formed the basis of the farmers’ diet. Here in the museum, we preserve Westphalian Land Rye, a robust, traditional variety from Westphalia. This variety ensures valuable genetic diversity and is a reminder of the region’s agricultural heritage. The seeds come from the Gatersleben Crop Plant Bank, where this variety is stored as 40-year-old land rye from Westphalia.
For centuries, oats were an important food and feed grain. As a summer grain, they play a central role in crop rotation and break up grain monocultures. They thrive on poorer soils and provide valuable straw and grains for humans and animals. The museum preserves two historical varieties: “Westfälischer Schwarzhafer” (Westphalian black oats) and “Dippes Gelbhafer” (Dippe’s yellow oats). The seeds come from the Gatersleben Crop Plant Bank.
Barley is a versatile crop and is used both as animal feed and for human consumption. Barley is used to make pearl barley, groats, flakes, flour, and malt for beer or malt coffee. Here in the museum, we obtain two old varieties: “Mammuth I” and “Almerfelder.” Both varieties originate from the Gatersleben Crop Plant Bank and preserve valuable genetic resources and cultural history.
For centuries, flax was an important source of fiber and even a regional currency. The blue flowering fields are considered the origin of the expression “Fahrt ins Blaue” (“trip into the blue”, meaning a spontaneous excursion with no fixed destination). High-quality edible oil is extracted from the seeds. Especially in East Westphalia – in the Ravensberg region with Bielefeld as a linen weaving town – flax cultivation shaped the landscape and economy. The museum preserves three historical varieties: Arminius, Eckendorfer Langflachs, and Eckendorfer Frühflachs. The seeds come from W. v. Borries-Eckendorf GmbH & Co. KG.
The potato became native to Europe in the 18th century and fundamentally changed the population’s diet. It was high-yielding, nutrient-rich, and made human nutrition more crisis-proof. They became a staple food, especially for the poor. Even today, potatoes remain fundamental in people’s everyday diet. To preserve genetic diversity, we grow 34 old varieties at the museum, thereby contributing to biodiversity and the preservation of historical crops.
The fodder beet, also known as “Runkel,” was a staple of livestock feed on farms. It provides energy-rich winter feed, especially for cattle, and can easily be stored. In the museum, we preserve two old varieties: the “Eckendorfer Rote” and the “Eckendorfer Gelbe.” They were bred between 1905 and 1929 by W. v. Borries in Eckendorf near Bielefeld. The seeds still come from W. v. Borries-Eckendorf GmbH & Co. KG today. By preserving the fodder beets, we are safeguarding a piece of agricultural history and genetic diversity.
