Simon Mair from Ciardes is the young farmer on his traditional South Tyrol heritage estate protected as a historic monument that has been in Family ownership for 250 years.  Most of his organic orchards are situated around his house, two smaller ones are situated on Tablà hill. “My main profession is organic apple producer”, says Simon who attended the South Tyrolean Fürstenburg agricultural college. Besides, he works as an expert for other businesses for the “Südtiroler Maschinenring” organisation. Simon manages his farm alone, only needing the help of extra pairs of hands during picking and harvest.

Simon converted to organic production in November 2011 after many courses and seminars. Today, he profits from a wide range of varieties. He grows Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Pinova, Fuji and his main variety, Gala. He loves autumn. „Then you see what you have done during the year“, says Simon. In addition to organic apples the young farmer also produces cherries, apricots and vegetables. His farm has become a practice and model farm for the Fürstenburg agricultural college. „I show the students how to grow apples in a natural and environmentally-friendly way and how important the correct pruning of trees is. I also explain them the luxury of being an organic producer who lives in the middle of his own orchards!“