I’m probably not a typical farmer, if there should be one. Even though I grew up with agriculture, I was “only” interested in strategic business management after finishing my agricultural training and taking the high school diploma at the commercial school. I’m a person of numbers and work as a freelancer to support companies that find themselves immediately before or already in an existential crisis.

But I couldn't do without agriculture in the end. Being a South Tyrolean I somehow felt obliged to devote my life to agriculture. So I took over my father’s farm two years ago knowing that I wanted to choose a sustainable path. I wasn’t afraid of not having enough stamina as I had been a decathlete for many years. I even was Italian vice champion twice. I needed resistance then, which is also required in organic production. Because just choosing resistant varieties such as Natyra, Bonita and Topaz is not enough. You also need talent, motivation and regular training.

In addition to growing apples, I also produce some 700-800 liters of wine, cultivate apricots and run an agritourism business with apartments and two chalets. So my wife Sara’s support is very precious and important. She helps me when it comes to planning, collecting data, making projections and consequently going the organic way. It allows us to show our children a life based on values and characterized by diligence and perseverance. We all have to be some kind of decathletes in a way and should keep being dynamic. Because organic also means vital.