A few days ago, another great ENAJ low-budget press trip brought us to Northern Germany. The co-production of ENAJ and the Swiss Agricultural Journalists was titled “Sustainable agriculture between the city and the sea.”
A group of 17 participants from more than half a dozen countries assembled in Hamburg, full of expectations. After a tasty welcome dinner on the infamous Reeperbahn, we spent a long day exploring Hamburg’s agriculture and catering.
We started early on the wholesale „Grossmarkt”, proceeded to some food and gastro startups, and finally visited a vegetable and milk producer, both of whom successfully sell directly into town.
On the second full day, we left the city and headed north to Schleswig-Holstein, Germany’s northernmost Bundesland. Our first stop was Norddeutsche Pflanzenzucht (NPZ), specialists in hybrid rapeseed breeding. The family company successfully exports worldwide.
After that, we visited Wattmanufactur, a company focusing on sustainable energy production. The installation of PV panels is possible along highways and tramlines in Germany. Interesting in this project: Its aim is energy production and rewetting the bog below.
Agricultural journalists at a farm
We finished that day with a visit to Westhof Bio, an impressive farm that started with 60 ha in 1978 and is now producing vegetables on over 1000 ha. They process a big part of the harvest in their freezing plant.
After spending our first night in our beautifully situated hotel near the sea, we visited Halli Nordstrandischmoor in the North Sea. The Halligen are an interesting mix of island and coast. About 40 times a year, they‘re floated. In these episodes called „Land unter, “ animals and humans have to gather in and around the houses situated a few meters above sea level.
We were warmly welcomed by members of the farm community and environmental protectors. The Halligen is an important bird habitat. The farmer we visited complained about the wild geese eating all his sheep’s grass.
The afternoon was dedicated to a visit to a wind park. Schleswig-Holstein has over 3300 windmills for electricity production. The „Bürgerwindpark“ we visited is operated by a farmer who told us that the park was financed partially by the municipality’s citizens. They have managed to generate income not only for themselves but also for the village.
The final dinner was prepared and served by Kirsten Müller in her own second home in Schleswig-Holstein. She hasn‘t only spoiled us with an excellent dinner on her premises but has also organised the whole trip to her favourite flat land (she loves the Swiss mountains too) 😉
Thanks a lot to Kirsten, all the sponsors and participants!
