At first, Manuel Santnerwanted to work as a carpenter. He thus trained as a carpenter and worked as a fitter for three years. To help his father he started to work on his father’s farm and developed an interest in agriculture. Manuel then trained at the technical college for fruit production, viticulture and horticulture in Laimburgand constantly attends differentcourses. He soon wanted to adopt environmentally friendly working practices and decided to convert to organic production: „I haven’t regretted my decision for a moment,because for me, organic means sustainability on a natural basis,“says Manuel.

Today, he works as a fulltime farmer: He manages his father’s farm called „Schupfermühle“ in Naturno, which used tobe a mill in the past, as well as the agricultural areas of the „Hanswirt“ in Rablà, a historic inn from the 8th century in the possession of his wife’s family. Both agricultural businesses accommodate guests as well who can get an insight into agriculture if they wish.

Manuel’s father, his father-in-law as well as different workerssupport him in his work several times a year. They help him when it comes to planting the young trees, thinning out by hand, cutting trees andduring the apple harvest. And even if the harvesting period is the most work-intensive period of the year, it’s the one he likes best: In the end, you reap the rewards of the whole year with the apple harvest. Manuel prefers apples of theBraeburn variety „because I like the juicy and slightly acidulous taste. And because the stressful period is over after the harvest of this apple variety,“smiles Manuel.