My son Manuel and I are a very close team in our apple orchards in Latsch. We grow apples as a sideline. In 2018 we converted the production of our Royal Gala and Pinova to organic. The knowledge Manuel learnt during his studies at the Vocational School for Fruit, Vine, Horticulture and Floriculture in Laimburg proved very useful for us. In the beginning it was he who introduced me to the different insects and their habits. He was able to recognize them, distinguish them from each other and give them a name. Which insects were useful for our agriculture gradually became clearer to me. I became more open to the daily surprises in the apple orchard and above all, I became more patient. In the beginning, for example, I would only see lice, even in large numbers, and I had the urge to take immediate action against this pest of fruit trees. Today I have patience and the attentive gift of observation, I can wait for the first hoverflies. This way I can keep the louse at bay and my nervousness under control.

It is much more sensible and, in the long run, much easier to let nature take its course and let potential pests be their natural enemies rather than resorting to hasty measures. We prefer to concentrate on creating attractive shelters for beneficial insects, building rock piles, insect hotels and happily observing their arrival.

However, not all actions taken lead to immediate success. For example, I wanted to dedicate a luxurious nest house, purchased at great expense, to the beautiful hoopoe, but unfortunately it never moved in. I was very surprised when one fine day I suddenly heard her singing in the apple orchard. Unfortunately, not from my cosy little nest-house, but from who knows what other shelter. What a snob! In any case, I was overjoyed because I was one of the lucky few who could regularly admire this rare and magnificent specimen. Although, to be honest, its particularly high-pitched cry can get tiresome in the long run. But perhaps by singing his joyful 'song', he just wants to thank me for providing him with a luxurious refuge, and from the top of the gable roof he remains to watch over the abundance of delicious insects.

For me, this is organic: being attentive, treating nature with respect and admiration, and leaving an intact and healthy environment for future generations.