Summary

Katja Temnik became a young farmer and bought an abandoned five-hectare (ha) farm to invest in the biodynamic production of herbs and take advantage of an opportunity for personal development. Katja wanted to create a new business model that combines organic farming to protect the environment, create employment and at the same time provide education services while being socially inclusive.

Financial support from multiple Rural Development Programme (RDP) measures was used to create diverse organic plantations: hazelnuts (1.4 ha), herbs (2.1 ha), high-trunk orchard (0.7 ha) and to purchase machinery for stripping, cutting, and packing herbs and a hammer mill.

Results

Two permanent job positions were created on the farm and there are many opportunities for part-time work.

Sales increased by at least 30 %.

There are no costs for the purchase of fertilisers or other chemical inputs.

Biodiversity on the farm and in its surroundings has increased. There is now greater recognition of the significance of organic and biodynamic farming in what is otherwise a very traditional intensive farming environment.