I worked in the insurance business for many years and have only recently become a full-time farmer. Even though I grew up at a farm, I decided relatively late to assume responsibility in agriculture. My brother, however, has been an organic producer for ten years. He, other organic producers and the experts of the South Tyrolean Advisory Service provide valuable support in this exciting activity. As an insurance expert I had to deal with damages that had already occurred in the past. Now that I’m a farmer, I see the world from the other side of the coin: I have to anticipate possible problems. The only way of doing this is by patiently observing the nature, which can take quite a lot of time. This is why I could not imagine running an organic farm as a part-time producer.

Organic production obeys nature and its categorical wishes. Apple producers are subject to this hierarchy and know that it works best like that. Whether we are able to produce a decent amount of qualitatively good apples until the end of the apple season or not depends on our relationship with this dominant wonder that is nevertheless ready to compromise. I write down everything exactly year after year because I would like to understand nature better. I note down which measure I took and when and if it was successful or not. It is all about becoming familiar with nature, having a daily date with the own apple orchards. And you have to accept obediently that it isn’t always as easy as you hope.

My wife and me also run the „Pardell“ guesthouse at the eastern side of the village of Ciardes where we offer our guests the opportunity to get an insight into organic production. When our guests enjoy the view of the valley bottom from their apartments in the morning, we probably already are in the orchard and work in harmony with nature, which is always right. We like heeding its advice and listen carefully to what it says. Because nature provides for us in the end.