Meinrad Ratschiller runs the Schmitthof farm in Alliz. The farm is on the dry Monte Sole mountain, where water is rare and valuable. Meinrad is a trained mechanic and he farms in his free time. He has turned his love of nature into a second living, and he is proud of the fact that he can maintain all his equipment himself in his barn.

"Some day," he says, "I will go full time, that is, when there is finally some land to rent on the Monte Sole." Meinrad carefully converted all his plots to fruit and vegetable production several years ago, even though his parents and grandparents believed in livestock farming. Meinrad is now the third generation in his family to manage the Schmitthof. Apricots and cauliflower were the first crops to be planted here, but as time passed, apples took over.

These days, Meinrad plants the varieties which he believes are best suited to the demanding site. Pinova do especially well here. Meinrad has been organic ever since he started farming apple orchards. Six of his neighbours also converted their farms to organics at the same point. They all had similar questions and were able to help each other.