"Good things come to those who wait"

The farm of partner farmer Franz Brandl was originally a smithy and a farm, which is why it also has the two names "Brandlhof" and "Beim Wallnerschmied". In 1907 the conversion to a conventional farm followed and in 1982 the decision was made to switch to organic. Two years later, the farm and its owners became members of Naturland and Tagwerk.

Franz Brandl runs the farm, which he took over from his parents in 2019, as a part-time job and still works as an agricultural machinery mechanic in the mornings. His parents continue to support him actively and so the farm can be run as a family business.

"Preserving Our Creation"

It is important to the Naturland farmer to produce healthy food and at the same time increase soil fertility. Dealing responsibly with people, animals and nature is also a top priority for him. He tries to intervene as little as possible and as much as necessary in nature and maintain a circular economy. For this he has developed his own cultivation system from a variety of knowledge and experience.

In addition to various grains such as wheat, oats, rye and spelt, he also grows clover grass and triticale. He uses the latter to feed his special Aubrac cattle. This is a 150-year-old, robust breed of cattle that was created by crossing Brown Swiss and Maraichine cattle.

The meat, grain and honey produced on the farm are then brought to the end consumer via weekly markets. But Franz Brandl also supplies restaurants and a bakery.

This is what Franz Brandl appreciates about the partnership with Barnhouse:

“Regional marketing is very important to me, as is preserving a smallholder structure. The supply community is committed to connecting farmers, which is how Barnhouse creates a family community. For me, Barnhouse stands for sustainability.