Erich Ratschiller's Mühl farm is in Alliz, near to the marble-producing village of Lasa. Its 1,180 metres of altitude set it apart. It is one of the highest organic farms in the valley. There is a lot of work to do on the farm, and Erich and his wife get it done. When they are particularly short-handed, his siblings help out. Erich is actually a trained mason but he inherited the farm and since then he has been running it with all his energies. He is always open to receiving tips and attending continuous education courses, particularly from the South Tyrol Beratungsring advisory association for fruit farming and viticulture. Erich's orchards contain Golden Delicious, Pinova, Idared and Red Delicious. His favourite time of the year is winter. It is peaceful and he can get the demanding but relaxing pruning done. It is important for him to have the time to think his own thoughts. Erich has been organic since 2006. His reasons for converting were a desire to farm more sustainably and to protect the sensitive natural world of the upland. Erich is the proof that organics can also work in extreme places, and the taste and healthiness of his Val Venosta apples are all the better for it.