Stories from the Farm
An unlimited playground for everyone
At the Pfeiferhof farm on idyllic Lake Weissensee, family tradition is very important. The third generation is working to cherish and maintain the special heritage of organic farming.
"I've learned a lot for life through sport," says the 62-year-old, who has finally found his calling and fulfillment in organic farming, horse breeding and as the host of a Farm holidays business. Together with his 90-year-old mother, his wife Helga and four children, the next generations are continuing the legacy on the Pfeiferhof farm at around 1000 meters above sea level. With many innovative ideas, for example in genetic research with special cow breeds or in horse breeding.
The little boy was two and a half years old when he came to the Pfeiferhof in Oberdorf in 1963. Helmut had grown up in a home after his mother died shortly after his birth. The Winklers gave him a new home and were delighted to have a long-awaited potential heir to the farm. Although his father had other plans for his foster son. The senior, a keen sportsman and skier who had also won Carinthian championships, would have loved to see the junior follow in his footsteps. The dream of an athletic career ended early with a serious injury, whereupon Helmut embarked on a career as a coach. As head coach of the Carinthian Ski Association for many years, he then had Fritz Strobl, Werner Franz and Christian Mayr, among others, under his wing and was thus jointly responsible for the Olympic and world championship medals of his protégés.
The Weissensee breakfast raftA small but fine range of regional Weissensee products
Winkler also played a key role in the creative implementation of a new tourist attraction at Lake Weissensee, which was chosen as one of the winners of the Austria-wide Farm holidays innovation competition. Six Carinthian farms have joined forces to offer their guests an unforgettable experience with a farmer's breakfast on a raft with a lovingly laid breakfast table featuring a variety of delicacies from the individual farms. The participating farmers serve their products personally and thus bring sustainable, organic farming at Lake Weissensee closer.
This culinary alliance is led by Ferienhof Neusacher-Moser with herb curd cheese, cream cheese, Glundner and Graukäse. Sonnenhof-Raderhof scores with exquisite cheeses, hearty salami and aromatic sausages, while Glautschhof spoils the taste buds with home-baked bread and tempting cakes. The Pfeiferhof farm brings in a wide range of products, including fresh milk, creamy butter, tempting yogurt and homemade delicacies such as muesli and jams. Ferienhof Obergasser rounds off the offer with artisan bread and exquisite fine brandies, while Haus Hoffmann presents its specialty - fish of the highest quality.
Contact to the origin
Sustainable farming and the horses at Pfeiferhof cast a spell over daughter Ida from an early age. At the age of twelve, she made it clear to her dad that she would like to take on the responsibility herself. With the words: "I'll go to the stables every day when I get my own horse." No sooner said than done. Today, the 22-year-old is not only an excellent rider and empathetic teacher, she has also taken over part of the farm. Also to give her younger brother Simon some more time as heir to the farm.
"More and more people are losing touch with our origins," the young woman reflects on a life that is becoming increasingly distant from nature. Thoughts that she then likes to articulate in self-produced "poetry slams" like this one.
"More and more people are losing touch with our origins. That's why Farm holidays are important for future generations, so that they don't lose contact with nature, animals and work in agriculture."
Die 12jährige Ida
Keep what makes sense
"Farm holidays are important for future generations so that they don't lose touch with nature, animals and the work involved in farming," says Ida Winkler. Together with her family, she also tries to set an example for the many (regular) guests. Whether in the barn, on the pasture with the animals or in the daily production of the farm's own delicacies. "We move with the times, but we keep what makes sense," she says, pointing out the important balance between tradition and innovation. For the Winklers, organic is therefore not just a seal of quality on the packaging, but also a living appreciation of everything that lives, grows and blossoms at the Pfeiferhof.
Or as Ida describes it in her poetry slam: "It is an unlimited playground for everyone, with it comes joy, growth and life. It's not gray, it's colorful and wild, yet it's so quiet all around that time stands still. It is my home and I am happy to share it with all those who like to spend time here."
