Applying a socio-ecological framework, this book explores how the innovative approach of commons-based organic apple breeding can contribute to sustainability in agricultural and food systems more widely.

Hendrik Wolter is a Research Associate and Lecturer in the Department of Economics and Law at the University of Oldenburg, Germany. He holds a PhD in Social and Political Science and was involved in the transdisciplinary research project EGON (2017-2020), which examined commons-based organic apple breeding.

PART 1: Research Design and Empirical Context 1. Theoretical Framework: Resilience, Ecosystem Services, Commons 2. Methodological Framework: Qualitative Research in a Transdisciplinary Context 3. Empirical Context: Apple Breeding and Cultivation in Germany PART 2: Resilience in Fruit Breeding and Cultivation 4. Fruit Breeding and Cultivation as a Social-ecological System 5. Ecosystem Services in Fruit Breeding and Cultivation 6. Characteristics of a Resilient Fruit Breeding and Cultivation System PART 3: Evaluation of Apple Breeding Approaches: how resilient are they? 7. Corporate-based Apple Breeding 8. Public Apple Breeding 9. Commons-based Apple Breeding 10. Comparison of Apple Breeding Approaches PART 4: Implementing Commons-based Organic Apple Breeding 11. Market Structures, Developments and Trends 12. Promoting and Inhibiting Factors for Organic Apple Cultivation and Breeding 13. Business Models for Financing Organic Apple Breeding 14. Challenges for Commons-based Organic Apple Breeding