Germany: Children's home grows vegetables with quality label

The Pestalozzi Wahlwies Children's and Young People's Village in the German town of Stockach Wahlwies, near the border of Switzerland, is a haven for children with traumas and social anxieties. One of the activities in the village is growing vegetables under glass. With help from the Priva Connext process computer, Pestalozzi has one of the most modern computers, allowing the Pestalozzi greenhouse to supply quality vegetables to a regional stores.

In Pestalozzi Wahlwies, married couples live in a house together with six special-needs children. The adults share their lives with the young people, whom they help to deal with their traumatic experiences. By being offered trust, the children learn to rebuild relationships and reintegrate into society. These 'families' form the heart of this charitable project. The facilities in Wahlwies are offered by a school and ten training companies.

The special children's home is supported by the Pestalozzi 'non-profit organization', named after the Swiss educator, writer and reformer Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi.
Practical training

The Pestalozzi Children's and Young People's Village forms a community that seeks to provide children with an environment in which they can develop. In the village, the young people are given individual guidance and the possibility of going to school. Education levels provided include a nursery,primary school and practical training in twelve agricultural or craft vocations; schooling for the head, heart and hands!

Environmental awareness

The village consists of twelve family houses, a youth centre, a village centre with dance hall, a school and ten training companies; including a bakery, organic food shop, carpentry workshop and a biodynamic horticultural company. Environmental awareness is an important feature of the community.

One of the training companies grows vegetables in accordance with the principles of biodynamic agriculture. Eleven young people take part in the training program.
Necessary investment

The facilities for covered horticulture consist of a relatively older greenhouse and a recently built1.5 hectare greenhouse. "The new greenhouse was completed last year," says Sonja Ruprecht, the Communications and Fundraising Officer for the children's village. That represented a considerable investment for Pestalozzi, but according to Ruprecht it was definitely necessary. "We teach the young people not just to grow vegetables, but also emphasize that production is part of a much wider process. They grow for a market that places high demands on quality. Pestalozzi is a year-round producer of biodynamically grown vegetables. Our products meet the requirements of the Demeter label. For various customers, this is an important added value."

Source: Priva www.priva-international.com