ALLTOGETHER (Fruit-vegetable cultivation systems)

The ALLTOGETHER project

Promoting the combined cultivation of fruits and vegetables

Preserving, promoting, and increasing diversity

Duration: April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2029

Version English 15.7.2026

The combined cultivation of fruits and vegetables1 can promote the diversity, stability, and resilience of agricultural and food systems. Additionally, the combined production can improve the quality of work during cultivation, and may lead to new sales opportunities. Such fruit-vegetable cultivation systems can also yield positive effects in the form of so-called ecosystem services, such as pollination by insects or reduced pest pressure.

Fruit-vegetable cultivation systems consist of annual or biennial vegetable species and perennial fruit-bearing species (trees or shrubs) and typically feature a high diversity of species and varieties. However, their cultivation and management are highly challenging under European climate and soil conditions. There is little systematically documented experience regarding the establishment of such systems, potential risks and benefits, or successful crop management.

There are, however, some farmers and gardeners who already have experience with such fruit-vegetable cultivation systems2, or who are currently establishing and testing such systems, or who are planning to do so. The project builds on this background and pursues the following objectives:

  • The establishment of a network of 15 model farms or gardens along a north-south gradient from Sweden to Spain or Italy that have experience with fruit-vegetable cultivation systems or are currently setting them up;
  • Collecting, evaluating, and sharing experiences regarding fruit-vegetable cultivation systems;
  • Encouraging experiments to address pressing questions regarding the cultivation and management of fruit-vegetable cultivation systems;
  • Identification of the (ecosystem) services provided by fruit-vegetable cultivation systems, as well as factors that hinder or promote their establishment and management;
  • Further development of existing and establishment of new fruit-vegetable cultivation systems;
  • Leveraging this experience in education and training, consulting, curricula, informational materials, and planning tools.

The project aims to involve farmers, gardeners, scientists, students, consumers, and citizens interested in horticulture and sustainability, as well as representatives from local and regional governments, advisory services, and advocacy groups.

The ALLTOGETHER project, part of the “Agroecology Europe Partnership” research program, is being implemented by 10 partner organizations in 7 European countries. The partners are responsible for coordinating various tasks. BOKU University (Austria), together with the University of Hohenheim (Germany), is responsible for coordinating Work Package (WP) 1. Not all activities need to be implemented in all participating farms/Living Labs3 . The project is structured into the following work packages:

  • WP1: Establishment of a network of farms with fruit-vegetable cultivation systems
    • 1.1. Characterization of the fruit-vegetable cultivation systems at the participating farms or gardens;
    • 1.2. Each farm or garden should engage in discussions regarding priorities, goals, and plans for the further development of its own fruit-vegetable cultivation systems. Challenges and successes in their own implementation should be identified;
    • 1.3. Implementation of measures that promote mutual learning within the network;
    • 1.4. Analysis of experiences regarding the learning process within the network and planning of further meaningful steps.
  • WP 2: Analysis of the performance and challenges of the fruit-vegetable cultivation systems
    • 2.1. Joint identification of aspects (indicators) that would be useful to measure in order to characterize the performance of fruit-vegetable cultivation systems;
    • 2.2. & 2.3. Measurement of the indicators in selected participating farms or gardens;
    • 2.4. Joint discussion of the results.
  • WP 3: Providing strategies and tools for the planning of fruit-vegetable cultivation systems
    • 3.1. Understanding how fruit-vegetable cultivation systems have been planned and designed to date;
    • 3.2. Analyzing the usability of existing planning and design tools;
    • 3.3. Developing a new planning and design tool suitable for fruit-vegetable cultivation systems;
    • 3.4. Applying and testing a new innovative planning and design tool.
  • WP 4: Develop and provide information, advisory, and educational materials
    • 4.1. Involve participating farms or gardens (if interested) in teaching and training;
    • 4.2. Jointly develop new teaching and advisory materials;
    • 4.3. Expand training and continuing education on fruit-vegetable cultivation systems.
  • WP 5: Analysis of the current policy framework for fruit-vegetable cultivation systems
    • 5.1. Review existing policy measures for promoting fruit-vegetable cultivation systems;
    • 5.2. Analyze shortcomings and potential;
    • 5.3. Formulation of the need for action.
  • WP 6: Communication of project content
    • Writing articles, brochures, and informational materials;
    • Participating in informational events, etc.

 

1 In our project, “combined” refers to the cultivation of fruits and vegetables on the same plot of land, whether small or large; side by side, in multiple layers, or intermixed, with the “layout” varying widely and depending on the location: spontaneously intermingled, thoughtfully arranged in groups, precisely planned in rows, and so on.

2 In many countries of the Global South, such combined fruit-vegetable cultivation systems are common, such as in the home gardens of the Maya in Mesoamerica, the forest gardens in Kandy, Sri Lanka, etc. In Europe, too — depending on the country, city, or association — combinations of fruits and vegetables are not only common in allotment gardens, for example, but in some places even mandatory.

3 “Farms” or garden that i) try new things in the area of sustainability to become even more sustainable, ii) collaborate with research and advisory services, and iii) are curious and open to sharing their experiences and reflecting on them are also referred to in the project as “Living Labs”. In market gardens, community gardens, or home gardens, “things are constantly being tried out,” which is why this term actually fits quite well as a place for experimentation and development in the face of everyday challenges.