I am a teacher convinced that you never stop learning, especially if you are also an 'organic' farmer. The nature that surrounds our 'Obermühlhof' farm in Coldrano, near Laces, is sometimes as articulate and complex as some of the maths problems I propose to my students. Especially in the beginning, organic farming was difficult for me to understand, full of variables and aspects that were not simple. My father had warned me, and I had underestimated many operations. In addition, I had to learn to manage my time well. Fortunately, my son Andreas is a professional gardener, and my youngest son Sebastian is very good at farming, so they both often help me with the cultivation of my Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Bonita and Pinova apples.

While we take care of our apple trees during the growing phase, my wife Waltraud and daughter Katharina take care of the 'tourist' aspects of the farm. With the chalets around the historic mill and the large garden with a swimming pond, we have created an idyllic retreat for guests who want to stay with us. The many beneficial insects in the apple orchards also appreciate this refuge. An orchard with old apple varieties, Pala pear trees and apricot trees borders the private gardens of the chalets and, together with small wheat fields and herb beds, borders our personal and private access to the Stelvio National Park. To maintain a reference to the historic farmstead of our ancestors, the chalets' island of tranquillity is called 'Amolaris', the Italian root 'Mola' (millstone) also phonetically recalling the word mill.

To ensure that our island of peace is preserved and that our organic apples can continue to grow naturally, I want to continue to diligently build 'insect hotels' together with my grandchildren and maintain a close dialogue with our nature.

www.amolaris.com