Helmut Ladurner is from Plars and does not see himself as a farmer. He says, "organic apple growing is more of a hobby for me". Helmuth used to be an electrician and is now retired. He has a small apple orchard which he tends with his own hands because he does not have any machinery. If he needs a tractor, then Helmuth fetches his works manager. He decided back in 1993 to convert his property to organics. "It was my contribution to the environment. Less is often more." Helmuth's apple trees have the inimitable look of an old orchard. It is criss-crossed with lots of little, low walls and slabs of stone. Birds and other beneficial organisms find natural habitats here. A wayside cross proudly guards the orchard and looks down to the spa town of Merano below. Old artificial "Waal" irrigation channels run past the field. No wonder bringing in the crop is Helmuth's favourite job. That's when he harvests, in the fullest sense of the word, the fruit of the labour of his hands.