Rückblick Bildungsreise zum Hof Ulenkrug

Through workshops, discussions and work outside we became more familiar with the principles of ecological farming and learnt about the role of small cooperatives in contrast with monopolizing food production system, which is unfortunatelly common to our society. Not only that we found out how the Longo maï network cooperates, moreover we could learn about their collaboration with similar-thinking movements, in this case with Cecocesola from Venezuela, whose members were paying a visit to the Ulenkrug Hof during our stay.

The Longo maï movement comprises a network of nine self-managed cooperatives located in France, Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Ukraine. The Ulenkrug farm, a 50-hectare cooperative founded by Longo maï shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall, is located between Greifswald and Rostock in northeastern Germany. Around 25 people, including children, live and work there, focusing on self-sufficiency through farming (using horses as a power), gardening and animal breeding.

The farm includes living spaces, workshops, stables and even a slaughter room and a bakery. They also cultivate old grain varieties in a garden and practice traditional crafts. Electricity is produced with photovoltaics and wind power, while solar panels provide hot water. Politically, the community is active in areas such as migration, anti-fascism, and seed preservation.

If you have been stirred by curiosity and would like to learn more or even join, stay tuned and follow our website or Instagram! Another educational trip will be planned.