Interesting home-based stories

Strength Lies in Experience
The Weiermair family farm is located in the idyllic town of Adlwang in Upper Austria and is currently home to about 320 pigs. Johannes Weiermair took over his parents’ organic farm in 2011 and has initiated several changes since then. The former mixed-farming operation has been exclusively dedicated to organic pig farming since 2020. As is so often the case in life, such a transition is always accompanied by ups and downs. In this interview, the passionate organic farmer discusses the challenges the family faced and how he continues to tackle them today using common sense.

A New Perspective on the Future of Agriculture - A Conversation with Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Windisch

The idea that progress is inevitably synonymous with growth is deeply ingrained in many people’s minds. However, in the face of an agricultural sector grappling with increasingly scarce resources, mounting climate pressures, and ecological limits, a new way of thinking is gaining ground: farming in harmony with nature.

Arjen Stouten runs Huyskweker Stouten V.O.F. in Oosterland, the Netherlands, together with his family. On approximately 1 hectare of greenhouse space, the family-run business professionally cultivates high-quality summer flowers, as well as a wide assortment of bedding and balcony plants and various perennials. A particular focus is on balcony and patio planters, as well as hanging baskets with built-in water reservoirs. The company sells directly to private end customers throughout the Netherlands and a small part of Belgium.

Whether for breakfast, as a side dish at lunch, or as an evening snack—bread is a constant companion throughout our day in Austria. In 2025, average per-capita consumption was estimated at 50.3 kilograms. But does that mean we know a lot about bread? *Land schafft Leben* debunks myths surrounding one of Austria’s favorite foods.

On Okinawa, an island in southern Japan, diet has played a special role for centuries. It is no coincidence that Okinawa is known as one of the regions where people live to a particularly advanced age. The traditional cuisine is considered simple, natural, and rich in fiber. Vegetables, seaweed, brown rice, and fermented foods are staples of the diet. Here, health and well-being are not viewed as short-term goals, but rather as the result of a lifestyle centered on balance and consistency.

Small changes in our daily lives can make a big difference
We’ve all been there: that half-eaten cucumber was forgotten and is now going moldy; the unopened cream cheese has quietly passed its best-by date; and instead of buying just one bell pepper, you bought three because they were on sale. Food waste happens largely at home—and, above all, it creeps up on us. Nevertheless, enormous amounts accumulate in Austria. Yet even small changes in our daily routines can make a big difference in how we handle food.