VISIT A PERMACULTURE FARM
In the summer of 2025, the international Eco Club team met in Bavaria. We, the German team, took the chance to introduce them to one of our closest Eco Club supporters:
Farmer Markus and his permaculture farm.
We explored the vegetable beds and harvested fresh chard, zucchinis, delicate zucchini blossoms, salad, and ripe tomatoes. In the tomato tunnels, the warm air smelled of summer, and outside, the “berry land” was full of different berries ready to be picked.
Down in the cellar, Markus showed us containers filled with sand where pastinacs were stored – still crisp and fresh after many months. This simple, low-tech preservation method fascinated everyone.
As we walked across the fields and through the greenhouses, Markus explained how each area was intentionally designed to create its own microclimate. Windbreaks, shade zones, moisture pockets, and sunny ridges all support different species and create a resilient, interdependent ecosystem.
Instead of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, Markus relies on many natural methods and helpers. These include beneficial insects, mulching, compost, plant teas, and carefully planned companion planting. This keeps the system in balance and the soil fertile without the need for synthetic inputs.
We also talked about preserving heritage seeds. Markus explained that seed quality is crucial to ensure good germination and to produce new, healthy seeds for the next season. Preserving old varieties is essential for biodiversity, local adaptation, and resilient, independent farming.
Furthermore, we learned how the farm collects and stores water, making efficient use of rainfall to support the gardens during dry spells.
By the end of the visit, we left with a colourful harvest and plenty of new ideas. Markus’s farm showed that permaculture is more than just farming. It’s a clever system where everything works in a circle and sustains itself. It was great to be there with the makers from Portugal and Spain. They got to see the permaculture concept across the farm’s gardens, fields, orchards, and greenhouses. They already have ideas for new Eco Club projects using Fab Lab tools to support farmers like Markus and to promote biodiversity and circular thinking.
Thank you so much, Markus!
