OUR MISSION
We care about one of the most important aspects of human life: nutrition. Our focus is on producing organic food in harmony with nature and its natural cycles. Preserving a healthy environment is as crucial to us as creating high-quality, sustainable, and innovative organic products.
Rainer’s transition to organic farming was influenced by personal experiences such as his father’s health issues, the birth of his four children, and the Chernobyl disaster in 1986. Concerns for his family’s health and his responsibilities as a farmer drove him to seek alternative, environmentally friendly solutions.
Switching to organic farming was his logical response to these challenges, as he aimed for sustainable practices and wanted to preserve soil fertility for future generations. Thus, the year 1989 marked the beginning of a journey towards a deeper understanding of responsibility and sustainability for the Westhof.
In the following years, Rainer put his vision into action, shaping the farm into a pioneer of organic agriculture.
BIO-FROST Westhof GmbH was founded in Büsum with the aim of producing frozen food from organic farming. The high demand led to an expansion of the company after just two years, prompting a move to a new production facility in Wöhrden.
In the year 2000, Westhof GmbH was established, which is now known as Westhof Bio-Gemüse GmbH & Co. KG. This founding occurred with the clear objective of commercially processing organic fresh vegetables.
In 2002, Rainer Carstens and his neighbor Paul-Heinrich Dörscher founded Dörscher & Carstens Bio GbR to manage all newly acquired organic farming areas. Prior to this, the two farm managers had already worked successfully together in a machinery cooperative for several years. Today, the organic farming area totals over 1,200 hectares.
Since 2013, the greenhouse in Wöhrden has covered an area of 4 hectares, exclusively dedicated to organic vegetable cultivation. Here, delicious tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplants, and other vegetables thrive in the fertile soil of Dithmarschen.
Westhof Energie GmbH & Co. KG implements sustainable projects for the production and marketing of renewable energies. In 2014, a biogas plant was established with the aim of generating heat, electricity, and fertilizer from their own clover grass clippings and rejected vegetables.
The 6-hectare organic greenhouse in Hennstedt (Dithmarschen) has been owned by Westhof since 2017. Here, sun-kissed delicious fruits grow using organic farming methods in natural soil.
In 2018, nAIture GmbH & Co. KG was founded emerging from a project at the University of Applied Sciences Westküste in Heide. They specialize in developing intelligent, chemical-free robotic systems for autonomous weed control.
To meet the increasing demand, we are expanding our capacities in the organic frozen vegetable sector and additionally producing in small packaging formats. We exclusively rely on renewable energies. The opening of our resource-efficient freezing facility is scheduled for summer 2024.
The "first Westhof generation," shaped by our father and Paul, is a true driver of innovation and motivation. It inspires me to see what can grow through passion and how much can be achieved with it.
For us, sustainability isn’t just a concept on paper; it’s at the core of everything we do. It’s not a short city trip but a global journey where we actively participate in shaping a better future. We don’t see ourselves as solo travelers but as part of a large team working together for a more sustainable world.
Quality is non-negotiable for us. From seed to delivery, we prioritize ensuring that our products not only taste great but also meet the highest quality standards. Our employees are our most valuable companions on this journey, which is why we invest heavily in their training and development.
When it comes to our quality management, we are rigorous. Only organic vegetables enter our processes, and we monitor every step to ensure our products meet the highest standards. Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about where the journey takes us but also about how we get there. And for us, that means delivering the best possible quality.
Driven by curiosity and the courage to venture into new territories, we are constantly evolving. At Westhof, every employee actively shapes the company and contributes to our collective success. In an atmosphere of trust and appreciation, we achieve goals together and aim for long-term relationships with our business partners. Fairness and respect define every interaction.
WESTHOF BIO represents a pioneering and sustainable organic farming approach, characterized by responsibility, resource conservation, and strong cohesion. We aim to contribute to creating a thriving world for future generations. Our focus extends far beyond mere food production. With a holistic approach, we actively care for the future of our children and grandchildren.
