In 1993, Thomas and Claudia Notter moved with three small children from Zurich, Switzerland to northeastern Poland, to participate in a project of an "eco-village". Inspired by Native American teachings, their plan was to create a self-sufficient community. They leased a piece of land in Sajzy, 20km north of Ełk, set up their tepee and started a vegetable garden. After three months, the eco-village project was cancelled while still in the organizational phase, but they decided they still wanted to stay in Poland. They did not have any knowledge of the Polish language. After some time of searching and the support of very nice Polish people, they found a piece of farmland in Bachanowo, where they have now been living, working, and creating for over 29 years. To support themselves, they bought goats, pigs and chickens and began making Swiss cheeses as they prepared their rocky land for cultivation. Through decades of hard work, they have built their Real Earth organic farm into an ecosystem which sustains life for many plants, animals, insects, and birds. Their farm animals consist of 3 dairy cows, 6 goats, about 25 chickens, 2 dogs and some cats. About one hectare is wild untouched nature. 3,5 hectares are forest and hedges, 3 ha are natural meadows (TUZ) and about 11 ha are used to grow a variety of crops such as spelled wheat, rye, oats, barley, buckwheat, grasses, clover and other papilionaceous plants. Unfortunately the harsh northeastern climate does not allow them to exhaust all bio-organic or even permaculture possibilities, because the vegetation period is so short. They prefer to describe their land as a place for “creative farming”, where humans observe and accelerate the activities of nature.
Now in their late-50s, Thomas and Claudia continue making Swiss cheese every day without breaks, and their farm has more organic matter than ever. Their nine adult children have moved off the farm to various places in Poland and Switzerland, and so now they are open to visitors who are willing to volunteer, learn, and participate in the processes of their daily farming activities.
To learn more, visit: https://realearth.pl/
(Note: the website has not been update for 14 years, but the information is more or less accurate)
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🎥 Ramsey United production, 2022. This video was filmed in July 2022 and released about one year ago. But I was not happy with the color corrections, so this new version in 4K is the best version to watch. I have also added subtitles in English and Polish (press the CC button under the video if they do not automatically appear)
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