“According to the us, the Schwarzmaier property from Maisenberg
The present old ownership document goes back to the year 1700, whereby the small town with the two four-sided courtyards and the church (old noble seat, allegedly former monastery complex) was already mentioned in 913. The current four-sided courtyard with inn was partly reopened around 1890/1900
old walls, and has been preserved to this day", our partner farmers Luise and Franz Egger proudly explain to us.

After leaving school, the Bioland farmer completed an agricultural apprenticeship and started a family with his wife Luise at the young age of 22. He later decided to continue his education and found a new job in banking. In addition to helping out on his parents' farm, Franz also helped out
various banks in the credit and real estate sectors. In 2013 he resigned from this position and, together with his wife Luise, devoted himself entirely to the renovation of the historic four-sided farm and organic farming.

"As she got older, my mother kept coming to us with the request to take over and continue running the farm,
to avert a sale and split, my mother's heart's desire. After careful consideration, we decided to return the 32-hectare farm we had leased to organic farms
to cultivate and continue to manage ourselves, since we have been practicing organic gardening for a good 30 years and have always valued a wholesome and natural way of life.” – Franz Egger on taking over and converting his parents’ business to organic.

Farming methods used by the Egger family

“After various advanced training seminars for organic farming, we
primarily the recovery of the soil, the build-up of humus, the
committed to regenerative agriculture. I try to work without a plough, with undersowing in the grain and catch crops for surface rotting until the next main crop. Our threshed fruits (spelt, oats, malting barley, wheat, field beans, soya) are additionally treated with EM
and compost tea and are therefore more vital and resistant to diseases and pests", Franz describes his cultivation methods to us.

When they took over the farm, the two already
Planting of tree avenues and a meadow orchard started. Further planting campaigns are planned for the future.

"The restoration of species-rich meadows across the
A contractual nature conservation program, the planting of trees and shrubs in the cleared landscapes to create habitats for the partly endangered animal and bird world, is very important to us.”

The organic farmer had to experience first-hand that nature is always good for surprises and suffered one or two setbacks. Nevertheless, Franz is convinced: "Every m² of land that is cultivated without arable toxins can only be a profit for
Nature and environment and thus for our children, the following
be generations".

Above all, the build-up of humus and the associated Co² storage will play an increasingly important role in view of the increasing climate change. Soil rich in humus has a much higher water holding volume and comes with a lot with long dry periods
better cope.

That's what they appreciate about the Barnhouse partnership

"We are happy to be a Barnhouse partner farmer because the possibility of regional marketing without long transport routes makes sense and we would like to support this. The existing supply contracts
also represent a certain planning security for us".