Hof Hahlgarten organic farm, Fruecht

The view southwards from the farm and the reed beds used to 'polish' household waste water

The key implement for weed control in maize crops without using chemicals

A re-locatable hen house

An acknowledgement of the role of Rudolf Steiner in organic agriculture in this area

An area for wildflowers and herbs

A crop of cereal rye that was over 1.6 metres tall, which allows more straw bedding to be made after the grain is harvested

Part of the 10 hectares of potatoes with the milkers in the background

The organic vegetable production area

Frau Margret Weinig, owner and manager of Hof Hahlgarten organic farm, with Lucia and Albert Zinndorf

Beef bulls destined for the on-farm processing centre

The real driver of the production system on this farm: composting manure

Hof Hahlgarten is a family-run organic farm located at Fruecht, near Lahnstein in the southern Westerwald region. The Weinig family produce a wide range of organic farm products and sell them direct from the farm shop or through a growing network of customers.

The farm is located on land that had been used by Rudolf Steiner and his farming followers in the development of bio dynamic agriculture in the early part of last century. A plaque (see photo) notes the contribution of the Steiner methods to the production of wholesome produce. The Weinig family continue the chemical-free methods on the 180 hectare property.

There is a planned rotation of crops and pasture on the property that follows the traditional method of cereal, maize, legumes, wheat then oats. Potatoes are included in the rotation as well as triticale. Vegetables, herbs and flowers are grown in a 1 hectare plot. Grain is used for animal feed as well as some being processed for flour.

The farm produces bio-milch as its primary product, some being sold through a major organic distributor Uplaender. Milk is retained at the farm and processed into cheese and yoghurt. Beef animals and pigs are fed and slaughtered and the farm has a butchery and meat processing factory which is used for production of sausages, salami and other meat products. Eggs are produced by free-range chickens housed in re-locatable sheds. These products are sold through the farm shop or by subscription to an organic box of produce.

Hof Hahlgarten utilises the volunteer work of a group of organic farming followers who 'donate' their time and work efforts to maintaining the farm. Frau Weinig indicated that chipping weeds in the flower and herb gardens was a much sought after task as opposed to working in the larger vegetable garden.

The real nutrient driver of the farming system at the farm is composted manure and straw. Regular removal of manure from the sheds and replacement of straw is practised, with an impressive pile of composted manure being readied for incorporation into the soil for the next crop planting. If insufficient straw is produced on the farm then it has to be sourced from other organic producers. The crop of cereal rye photographed above is over 1.6 metres tall, much taller than similar crops grown under conventional methods. The extra height gives a greater harvest of straw and reduces the need to buy in extra from other farms. This reflects the general ethos of the farm in one product also providing inputs for other parts of the system.

Farming without chemicals requires greater manipulation of farming techniques than conventional farming. The control of weeds in a maize crop is essential to ensure good establishment and early growth. The family plants the maize seed deeper than would be done on a conventional farm and uses a spring tyne cultivator to remove weeds up until the plants are 15-20 cm tall. Better root development allows the maize seedling to withstand the abrasive effects of the cultivator. Other allowable inputs under the organic production codes are used at the farm including neem oil sprays to control pest problems in potatoes.

Frau Weinig indicated that the desire to produce top class organic produce came from the necessity to eat the best food available. She spoke of the difference that natural sources of food made to all people and animals, and pointed out some nearby health institutes that promoted healthy lifestyles. She has presided over a growing business that is capable of providing high class natural food products for a health-conscious community. A simple measure of food quality was shown by her observation that the cheese produced by the cows during the summer months was better tasting and lasted longer on the shelf. The cows have unrestricted access to pasture during the warm season but are housed during winter.

The sign indicating Bio-milch (organic milk)