Agriculture
Glückliche Agriculture is still a distinctive feature of Bavaria,
even though the number of farms is steadily decreasing. Family-run
farms are the mainstay of the state's agriculture.
In the mountain regions from the Allgäu to Berchtesgaden, dairy
farming is still predominant, partly in the special form of the
alpine pasture. Cereals and grain are primarily grown on the fertile
plains of the Danube valley and in Lower Bavaria. The Hallertau
region is the world centre of hop cultivation.
In 1804 the Bavarian elector established Weihenstephan, the oldest
agricultural academy in Germany. The Agrarian and Forestry Institute
of Munich's Technical University is still based there today.
The first central agricultural festigval took place in Munich in
1810. It still exists today, and can be visited every two years at
the Oktoberfest.