Thomas und Christa Seehauser - Schwitzerhof, Flanes
Mountain farming with heart
The Seehauser family was awarded the Mountain Farmers’ Prize in recognition of their commitment as mountain farmers.
Organic, with conviction and a focus on what truly matters.
Since 2016, Thomas has been an organic farmer, a father of four children, and an active volunteer in many local associations. For Thomas, one thing is clear: organic farming does not work the same everywhere, because it depends on having the right conditions – especially in terms of housing and grazing. At Schwitzerhof, those conditions are in place: from April to October, the animals can graze around the house.
Animal welfare comes first
For Thomas, animal welfare comes first: paying close attention to what the cows need – and not pushing things “to the last drop” in the name of efficiency. Healthy animals mean stability, both for the farm and in everyday life. “The most important thing for me is to look after my cows – if the cow is doing well, the farm is doing well.”
“The most important thing for me is to look after my cows – if the cows are doing well, the farm is doing well.”
Animals on the farm – and plenty of life all around
At Schwitzerhof, there are around 18–19 cows and a similar number of young cattle, as well as 15 chickens, 2 goats and 3 pigs. And sometimes things get even livelier: with the help of an incubator, there were even little “Triseler” – a lovely farm detail that shows how much everyday life and joy are part of a farm like this. Commitment to village life – supported by many helping hands. Alongside the farm and family, there is also room for community involvement:
Christa is actively involved in a number of areas, including the Mauls theatre group and the church choir. Thomas also takes on responsibility in many different fields – from livestock insurance and road maintenance to the fire brigade and the municipal council. The fact that all of this works is also down to a strong support network: siblings, his mother and Christa’s parents all help out, especially during labour-intensive periods such as the hay harvest.