Wolfgang Gössinger

The Austrian Weinviertel region covers approximately 4,900 km². A few square meters of this belong to our organic partner farmer Wolfgang Gössinger. There, east of Vienna, lies what appears to be a very typical Weinviertel mixed farm with arable land, vegetables, viticulture, and a few organic pigs.

Or perhaps it is not so typical after all? Immediately upon taking over his parents’ farm in 2009, Wolfgang decided to convert it to an organic operation. He says he has always been fascinated by organic farming because it requires much less external energy. You won’t find mineral nitrogen fertilizers at our partner’s farm, as their production consumes high amounts of fossil fuels and therefore did not align with Wolfgang’s vision of sustainable organic agriculture. “The crop rotation has also been much more diverse since then,” says the Weinviertel native.

“Operating a farm organically is more varied and therefore more relaxed.”

The transition to organic farming back then was marked by a certain thrill. After all, it differs from conventional farming in essential ways. At the time, Wolfgang visited several organic farms, spoke with the farmers, and gathered ideas. “But it’s different on your own farm,” our partner emphasizes. There were several questions that popped up within the family: “Will the weeds or the crop prevail? Will anything grow without mineral fertilizer?” he chuckles. These were valid concerns when the farm is expected to provide a full livelihood.

For Wolfgang, managing the fields organically means preserving the soil and other natural resources in good condition for children and future generations. He achieves this through a diverse crop rotation without the use of chemical-synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, as well as through winter greening and the application of manure. And it is on precisely these wonderful organic showcase fields that the hemp and pumpkins grow, which are processed into high-quality food products here at Schalk Mühle.

“The relationship between me and Schalk Mühle can almost be reduced to ‘me and Rainer Schalk,’ as he is actually the only one I know well,” Wolfgang laughs. “We really enjoy producing for them because we have only encountered very likeable people so far,” he adds. “We also feel that it is a priority for them to produce good organic food, and that is important.”

Supplies:
Hemp, scarlet runner beans, pumpkin seeds