Reinhard Leitner - Gasserhof, Egg
An award that makes visible the dedication behind their daily work.
In 2023, the Leitner family received the Raiffeisen Young Farmers Award in recognition of their commitment as mountain farmers.
05 March 2023
A memorable date and a great honor. Larissa and Reinhard share how much appreciation they felt through the award. It brought not only recognition, but also greater visibility. Since then, the family has experienced increasing interest in their work: schools have requested visits to the farm, and new contacts have emerged. For Reinhard and Larissa, above all, the award is a sign of appreciation for the work that takes place on the farm every single day – often far from the spotlight.
Arriving at the farm – and everyday family life
Larissa grew up in Stange, graduated in Brixen, and trained as a social care worker. Moving to the farm in Egg took some adjustment at first, but today she would not want to miss farm life – especially because of the opportunities it offers their children. R
einhard attended the agricultural school in Dietenheim, completed a carpentry apprenticeship, and later gained experience in the construction sector – skills that are still invaluable on the farm when it comes to repairs, improvements, and building work.
Life on the farm is not always easy, but the quality of life we have here is something I would never trade for anything in the world.
Many tasks, one team: barn, fields, forest – and Grandma Martina
At Gasserhof, the workload is shared. Reinhard is responsible for the barn and the fields and, depending on the season, also works in the forest or takes on tractor-related tasks. Larissa looks after the children, tends the garden, and manages the organization around the farm. An essential part of the team is Martina, Reinhard’s mother: she helps in the barn, supports with milking and the small animals, and is always there when an extra helping hand is needed with the grandchildren or around the house.
The farm is home to 13 cows, a bull, a calf, as well as two pigs, around 15 chickens, and several cats. The young cattle herd was given up after a tragic accident – a reminder of how closely success and setback can sometimes go hand in hand in farming. Working in the mountains requires experience and respect: during the hay harvest, machinery can become dangerously unstable on steep slopes. At Gasserhof, cable winch systems are therefore used among other methods – because safety comes first, especially where every meter matters.