Our farm is located right in the village center of Kortsch near Silandro.
It lies directly by the church, hence the name “Kirchhof.” In 1992, I took over the farm from my mother. For many years I cultivated the approximately 2 hectares part-time while continuing my profession as a hydraulic technician. Since 2010, being retired, I have much more time and now devote myself with great enthusiasm to organic farming. Embracing this form of agriculture was a great challenge. It would never have been possible as a side job, because when the meadow calls, you have to be there immediately. Nature allows no postponement in organic farming. As an organic farmer, you know what to do when nature calls: simply obey.
My son and his family live on the farm, and the grandchildren are growing up immersed in organic farming. They are still too small to understand the natural interactions in the apple orchard and the many challenges of each variety, but one thing they already know: Grandpa only grows what he himself enjoys, so he looks forward to the apple harvest just as much as they do. When they grow older, I will introduce them to the special characteristics of our varieties. They will learn that with our Gala trees I often struggle with frost, because the orchard is located in a hollow where the cold tends to linger. They will admire the beautiful coloring of the Pinova, whose trees thrive particularly well at higher altitudes above 950 meters. And from our Golden Delicious, which have the privilege of ripening in the premium location of the Kortsch meadows, they will marvel at the red blush. I will explain that this red cheek appears only if the difference between day and night temperatures sets in at just the right time in early autumn. If it comes too early, the red appears on an unripe apple and disappears before harvest; if it comes too late, the color doesn’t develop in time.
When I imagine how many questions my grandchildren will bombard me with, I am glad that my son Martin also supports me in shaping farm life and already has answers ready for many of their curiosities. Because for children to grow up with deep knowledge, their curiosity must be nurtured and satisfied. I look forward to this exciting task.
