Andrea Erlacher originally wanted to become a nurse. But then came a year in South Africa—and Jacob. Looking back, both were crucial in allowing her to live her dream today in Oberplars/Plars di Sopra, Algund/Lagundo.
After finishing her studies, Andrea needed a break from books and confined spaces, which she found in 2017 during a year abroad on an organic farm in South Africa. She enjoyed working in nature so much that, when her visa expired, she returned to South Tyrol and told her father, “I want to give the farm a try.” That same year, she fell in love with Jacob, who was also an apple farmer.
Today, the couple runs their apple farms together, which are located just five minutes apart by car. They work as a team and love nature— “the most beautiful workplace there is.”
To promote biodiversity, they hang birdhouses in the apple trees, mow fields in a staggered way, and regularly leave flowering strips. At the edge of their meadows, rose bushes and olive trees grow—and from the olives, they press their own oil. Now, at the beginning of August, they often walk through the apple rows together, pruning long shoots so the fruits get more sun and develop a lovely red colour.
Their fathers converted the farms to organic back in 1999. From the very start, Andrea and Jacob knew: “We will continue exactly like this. For nature. And for our children.” It was a gut decision—just as usual.