An interview with Axel Anders, the co-founder of the Berlin-based non profit Adolf Hoops Society, Biocyclic Vegan International, which promotes biocyclic vegan agriculture worldwide
In the 1950s, Adolf Hoops pioneered a method of organic farming that used plant-based inputs instead of animal manure, leading to the development of the Biocyclic Standard, an early framework for veganic agriculture. This approach has since evolved into biocyclic vegan agriculture, which prioritizes environmental sustainability and plant-based practices. In 2017, the Biocyclic Vegan Standard was recognized by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) as an independent global standard. Despite limited market presence, interest in biocyclic vegan farming is growing, especially in light of shifting dietary trends, ethical concerns, and the push for sustainable food systems. “Some years ago, people were laughing about the idea. Now, they are starting to see that we must do things differently. There is a real paradigm shift taking place”, Axel says.
Germany, with declining meat and dairy consumption, has become a center for this movement. The German biocyclic vegan organization Förderkreis Biozyklisch-Veganer Anbau e. V. initiated the «Veganer Ökolandbau» project, which aims to help farmers transition from animal farming to plant-based protein production. Alongside partner organizations like TransFARMation and Stockfree Farming, biocyclic vegan initiatives have spread across Germany, Switzerland, the UK, Greece, and Cyprus, with some uptake in the Americas.
Biocyclic vegan agriculture emphasizes not only a plant-based system but also regenerative practices that avoid synthetic fertilizers, monocultures, and environmental degradation. Hoops’ motto, “From healthy soil to healthy plants and healthy people,” underscores this commitment, with the system’s Biocyclic Humus Soil, a plant-based compost, improving soil fertility naturally. Unlike traditional compost, this humus soil can sustain crop growth without additional fertilizers, supporting the ecosystem’s microbiome and fostering a balanced nitrogen cycle.
Challenges remain, as some farmers face community resistance and biocyclic vegan agriculture is still a niche within organic farming. However, growing climate awareness, ethical considerations, and academic research in plant-based fertilization are expanding its reach. Biocyclic Vegan International envisions a global movement that offers farmers an alternative to animal farming, showing them how to produce plant-based foods sustainably. As the initiative matures, the Adolf Hoops Society aims to support its growth and encourage this shift worldwide.
Axel adds: “To do this successfully, the farmers need support, consulting, and money for the transition. It is almost like changing careers. That’s where the governments must come in and support as they do with other industries in crisis. Farming is the economic sector in Europe where most of the European subsidies are spent, with the largest share being allocated to [animal] farming.”