Der Bauer mit den Regenwürmern

Sepp and Irene Braun have been organic farmers since 1984. On their farm near Freising, they are engaged in organic farming as well as organic livestock breeding. The Brauns see ecological farming as a solution to the global problem of climate change.

While an average of 16 earthworms per m2 can be found on conventionally farmed fields, Sepp and Irene Braun have about 25 times as many. It goes without saying that they take the living conditions of the diligent helpers into account: their “homes” are not flattened by heavy machines and a specially sown mixture of clover herbs serves as winter food for the little helpers. Earthworm droppings provide valuable humus up to 2cm per year and 2m deep earthworm tubes, which can absorb up to 150 litres of water per hour and store it in the soil.

Due to the increased soil fertility, Sepp and Irene Braun earn far more than their neighbours who rely on chemical fertilization.

Word gets around: even the wife of the Senegalese president unexpectedly announces her visit.