Our Farm in France

There are several reasons why we chose a home in southwest France:

The landscape of the historic province of Gascony offers a high level of biodiversity, which also supports the growth of our plants. The agricultural culture of the region in which we live is already very advanced and strongly oriented towards organic practices.

We found an organically certified farm with sufficient cultivation space that perfectly matches our vision. As it has seen very little farming activity in recent years, the soil is vibrant and rich in microorganisms and soil life. In the long term, we aim to achieve Demeter certification for the farm and establish biodynamic cultivation practices.

The Midi-Pyrénées region in France offers an ideal climate, with longer harvesting periods than in Brandenburg. Here, we are able to live and work independently, surrounded by nature. Being located away from other farms means we do not have to worry about pesticide drift from neighbouring fields.

We truly appreciate the welcoming atmosphere and the friendly community of like-minded neighbours. Although there is still a great deal of work ahead, we already feel very much at home in our new surroundings.

Our fields are cultivated by hand. This helps prevent soil compaction beneath the cultivated layer and offers several important benefits for both people and nature.

Die Wild herbs are left in the fields and largely incorporated into the soil. They provide natural protection for the humus against wind and erosion. This approach is, of course, applied only as long as the wild plants do not significantly interfere with the growth of our cultivated crops — but it is always worth the attempt.

We refrain from using synthetic fertilisers or pesticides and manage our cultivation areas as naturally as possible. For some time now, we have been experimenting with various methods that support and regenerate the soil. The principles of permaculture, Terra Preta, and the use of effective microorganisms (EM) are particularly close to our hearts.

This is certainly a beginning, but on its own it will not be enough to preserve our soils in the long term. What is needed is a shared and fundamental rethinking of conventional agriculture. Soil-conserving and regenerative practices must receive far greater attention.

Despite having a small lake on the farm, we do not have our own water supply and are working with very clay-heavy soil with a high limestone content. This means that the soil tends to dry out significantly, especially during the summer months, requiring increased irrigation. We are confident that we will find a sustainable solution for this challenge as well.

Animal Co-Inhabitants

Keeping animals on the farm offers additional benefits, including the natural production of organic fertiliser for our plants as well as support with ploughing and carrying loads.

Beyond all of this, we love animals just as much as plants. That is why, from the very beginning, we have shared the farm with animal companions. A flock of sheep, including some very old breeds, are the longest-standing residents of the farm. They are joined by our goats, who moved here with us, as well as dogs, cats, and around 20 chickens.

Looking ahead, we would love to welcome a few horses to help us plough our fields. We have already found supportive neighbours and a local horse stable who are willing to assist us in making this possible.