Agri-environmental programs in rural development: case of the Ostfriesland region in Germany

Rural areas in the EU are highly varied in terms of their spatial, environmental, social and functional features. Their specificity is associated mainly with the agricultural production profile in the area. In recent years, programs aimed at limiting the adverse effect of agricultural production (especially using intensive methods) on the natural environment have become increasingly important. Agri-environmental programs encourage farmers to take preventive or corrective actions in regard to the condition of the natural environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate agrienvironmental programs and their influence on the development of German farms in the Rheiderland (Ostfriesland region, Lower Saxony, Germany). This paper presents the principles in the German system of organisation of agri-environmental programs in the years 2007–2013 and planned for the years 2014–2020. JEL Codes: Q56, R14, R58.