OUR VEGETABLE CULTIVATION
We produce high-quality vegetables according to Bioland standards. Know-how, commitment and a passion for organic farming help us to achieve our goals. We are also aware of the importance of sustainability, soil conditioning and resource protection of natural resources to produce best-quality fresh produce.
CULTIVATION IN THE CYCLE OF NATURE
On a surface of approx. 1,200 ha we grow high-quality organic vegetables. Our main crops are carrots, cabbage and peas. We grow strawberries in small quantities which are marketed directly at the farm shop. Crop rotation is an important requirement for successful organic cultivation. It is about plant protection, plant nutrition and weed control. Our crop rotation is shown below: 1. Year: clover/ flowering fields 2. Year: clover/ flowering fields 3. Year: brassicas 4. Year: grain 5. Year: carrots 6. Year: peas. In the seventh year the cycle starts again. We produce according to the directives of the Demeter and Bioland Association and fullfill the GOBALG.A.P.-Standard.
REGIONAL CHARACTERISTICS
REGIONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Our location boasts numerous advantages and unique features that make it an ideal setting for our agricultural pursuits. Located in the western part of Dithmarschen and in close proximity to the North Sea coast, our fields benefit from pristine soils and unpolluted air. In short, our conditions for vegetable cultivation are exceptional. Our soils are categorized as “junge Kalkmarsch”, or recent chalky marshlands, which were once submerged under seawater some 300 years ago. Today, they are richly fertile, making them ideal for cultivation. In fact, the “junge Kalkmarsch” is considered to be among the best farming land in the world. In addition to our nutrient-rich soils, we also enjoy excellent air quality. The prevailing West wind, which originates from the sea, carries only a small number of pests in form of insects, providing our vegetables with a natural protection. Furthermore, the sea air is of superb quality and low in pollutants, contributing to the overall well-being of our crops.
OUR SOIL
HEALTHY SOILS MEAN HEALTHY PLANTS
In order to promote plant growth, it is imperative to maintain soil health. Indeed, healthy soil forms the foundation of organic agriculture, and as such, it is our foremost priority to enhance soil conditions through various means, such as boosting humus levels and supporting soil microorganisms. To this end, we place great emphasis on cultivating clover and flowering fields, which make a significant contribution to stabilizing humus levels. Furthermore, the creation of flowering strips along transport lanes and headlands serves to diversify the dominant carrot cultivation and provides vital food and shelter for bees and other insects. Additionally, we employ a variety of crop rotations, which not only support soil life, but also inhibit the growth of weeds. By adopting such measures, we are able to maintain the delicate balance of our ecosystem, ensuring the long-term sustainability of our agricultural practices.
An exceptional feature of our organic cultivation method is the employment of mechanical and/or manual weed control techniques. With our strict commitment to eschewing any use of agri-chemical plant protection, we proudly offer you vegetables that are 100% natural, ensuring not only exceptional quality and productivity but also environmental preservation. As a result, we wholly refrain from using synthetic fertilizers and agri-chemical plant protection, opting instead for the use of exclusively organic fertilizers in moderation and only when required. In doing so, we maintain a delicate balance between production efficiency and environmental sustainability, ensuring that our agricultural practices meet the highest ethical standards.
Thus, the groundwater is protected and soil pollution is avoided. Organic cultivation protects the climate from the energy-intensive production of industrial fertilizers and pesticides. Not using industrial fertilizers means reducing energy consumption. Naturally we exclude genetic modification. A primary goal of organic agriculture is to preserve and increase the agricultural biodiversity – to keep the biodiversity along with its natural resources on a high level.
TEAM
UNSER TEAM
We are a team of twenty highly qualified professionals who are motivated, open-minded, and dynamic, and who share a deep appreciation for co-existing and working in harmony with nature. Our unique natural environment, graced by the invigorating freshness of the North Sea air, is a source of inspiration and a driving force behind our agricultural pursuits.
During the growing season, from May to November, we are joined by 150 highly motivated seasonal workers, who share our passion for organic farming and lend their expertise and labor to our efforts. We firmly believe in fostering a working atmosphere that is based on mutual respect and appreciation for every single team member. Each member of our team is valued for their unique talents and contributions and we strive to create an environment where everyone is supported and encouraged to reach their full potential.
DIRECTION
Dörscher & Carstens Bio GbR
Zum Westhof 6
25764 Friedrichsgabekoog
Tel.: +49 4839-9535-0
Fax: +49 4839-9105
info@westhof-bio.de
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