Long Friday at Grüne Woche! This evening, the exhibition halls will remain open until 8 p.m. - giving visitors even more time to get to know Grüne Woche, try out regional specialties and find out about sustainable agriculture and nutritious food. There will be top-class sport in the animal hall from midday today - the Hippologica, the horse show for Grüne Woche, starts at 12.30 p.m. with the first show jumping competition. The show jumping, dressage and carriage horses will not only make the eyes of little horse girls and boys light up over the weekend.

Why go far away when good things are so close? - The federal states at the Grüne Woche have not only brought all kinds of regional delicacies with them, they are also showing where you can enjoy a really nice holiday here in Germany. The answers can be found here in the video.

Gaming and life hacks, farming simulator and cooking shows: Grüne Woche stage in Hall 6.2a offers an interactive stage programme every day until Sunday.

Linus is not making any progress with his tractor. He presses the joystick on his controller - nothing happens. "You've probably accidentally rammed the fork into the ground," surmises presenter "Mori" Maurice Lange, peering over the eleven-year-old's shoulder. "Exactly, you have to pull it up first and then you can ride again." Meanwhile, in the next chair, Konstantin, 12, steers his tractor at full speed towards a green trailer to unload the second bale of hay. A little too brash, as it turns out: The tractor rammed into the trailer and the hay bale tumbled off the loading area. On to the next attempt. "Yes, it's not as easy as it looks," says "Mori".

Biodiversity is an important concern for organic farmers. Various demonstration farms will be presenting themselves in Hall 22a.

Biodiversity instead of monoculture is the motto of many organic farms. Some of them will be presenting themselves as part of the Federal Organic Farming Programme (BÖL) at Grüne Woche in Hall 22a. But a Berlin start-up is also committed to biodiversity by revolutionising coffee cultivation in Brazil.

The South American stands in Hall 10.2 announce themselves from afar with salsa and merengue rhythms. But the exhibitors have brought more than just colorful carnival costumes and cocktails such as caipirinha and piña colada. Traditional snacks, excellent coffee and surprising cold drinks will turn your visit into a real voyage of discovery across the continent.

How can civic engagement be made fit for the future? This was discussed by researchers at the Future Forum for Rural Development at Grüne Woche.

They make the rural population mobile with community buses, help children with their homework, get involved with the voluntary fire brigade or breathe new life into empty shops with neighbourhood meetings. Volunteers are an important link in society, emphasised Federal Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir at the opening of the Future Forum for Rural Development on Wednesday morning, which was also attended by Economics Minister Robert Habeck.

Please note that there may be travel restrictions due to the announced GDL strike. Rail travelers should expect delays and train cancellations. This includes S-Bahn as well. Tips and information on how to make alternative arrangements for your journey can be found here:

• 11:30 a.m.: Gaming Intermezzo on Grüne Woche Stage, Hall 6.2a
• 12 noon: BMEL presents: Insights into the federal competition "Our village has a future", Hall 23a
• 12:30 p.m.: Hippologica presents: 1st show jumping competition, Hall 25
• 12:50 p.m.: Saxony presents: Sorbian folk dance group, Hall 21b14:30: Grüne Woche Stage: Hacks for food rescue with Too Good To Go, Hall 6.2a

* This is an excerpt. You can find the entire program here: Grüne Woche Program

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