About us – The Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture

Food and drink and beautiful scenery – these basic needs of people are strongly connected with agriculture. Farm life and field work can be experienced by everyone and today the public observes closely all farm activities. As any other economic sector, agriculture depends on innovation and new technologies to remain competitive. Especially new technologies are often seen criticaly by citizens with no contact to rural life.

The LfL is an important companion for agriculture in Bavaria. On the following pages you will find all different kinds of information about our services and duties. We provide answers and solutions for questions about agriculture and farm management, environment and food production. Scientifically proven results form the basis for our work.

Flyer and further informations

Image Films of the Bavarian State Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Forestry in English

The President

Zoombild vorhanden

President Stephan Sedlmayer

Curriculum vitae

Stephan Sedlmayer was born in Wertingen and lives in the greater Munich area today. He graduated in agricultural sciences at the TUM in Freising-Weihenstephan and started his career in the agricultural administration in 1994. He worked as a consultant and agricultural teacher in Kaufbeuren for a couple of years. He changed to a job at the Bavarian State Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Forestry first in Berlin an after that in Munich. He was office manager for minister Helmut Brunner and minister Michaela Kaniber for more than 12 years. Since November 1st 2020 he manages the Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture as President.

Chairmanship and Administrative Department

Dr. Michael Elsinger, Vice President,

Dr. Annette Freibauer, Vice President

Dr. Peter Doleschel,
Institute for Crop Science and Plant Breeding

Robert Knöferl,
Institute for Agroecology and Organic Farming

Kerstin Mitsching, Department of Administration, Advisory

Dr. Monika Prasch, Presidential Office, Advisory

Presidential office

Dr. Monika Prasch
Lange Point 12
85354 Freising
Tel.: +49 8161 8640-5806
E-Mail: Praesidialbuero@LfLbayern.de

LfL-Research and work priorities

The institutes form the basis of the LfL, developing project-oriented solutions for the future. The operational program of the LfL provides guidelines for these purposes. The departments regard themselves as service providers which support the institutes to fulfill their plans and projects.

Additionally, they have clearly defined tasks in training and the implementation of EU and national guidelines and programs. The central departments contribute decisively to the successful work of the LfL by providing analyses and legally defined investigations.

Research and main work areas

With their five year work program, the institutes get the basic orientation for their research projects and main work areas. In the main areas with comprehensive challenges or issues, such as climate change, animal-friendly housing systems or biogas production, interdisciplinary work between institutes and departments is essential. Thus, farm managers can profit from the solutions and information available, considering all individual aspects of agriculture and the entire agricultural system.

Cooperation creates synergies

The LfL works closely together with the scientific institutions in Weihenstephan. These include the TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan (WZW) and the Hans-Eisenmann-Zentrum (HEZ) at the Technische Universität München (TUM), the University of Applied Sciences Weihenstephan-Triesdorf and other research institutions such as the Fraunhofer Institute and the Start-up Center Weihenstephan. In addition, the LfL develops joint projects and processes together with numerous national and international research institutions. With the institutions and Chambers of Agriculture of other federal states, the LfL cooperates in multi-state projects, in joint publications and through collaborative arrangements.

Deutsche Agrarforschungsallianz (DAFA)

The LfL is member of the DAFA, a German science and research alliance. The DAFA aims to improve it´s efficiency, transparency and international reputation. The DAFAs main tasks are to identify new scientific issues and strategies as well as to build a close network between the related institutions.

DAFA Externer Link

DAFA-Expertenatlas (list of the LfL-scientists)