Bio permaculture 04d1: Sepp Holzer with
his farm
Krameterhof in Ramingstein (Salzburg Alps - Austria)
Mountain climate in the
Salzburg Alps between 1100 and 1500m above sea level - 40
years of experiments - Permaculture and stubborn Austrian
authorities - details about Sepp Holzers agriculture: The
creation of a new landscape - then minimal effort -
medicinal plants + hillbeds - pigs plow the fields -
cleverly combined mixed cultures save pesticides, etc. -
books "The Agrarian Rebel" (2002) - "Sepp Holzer's
Permaculture" (2004) - "Desert or paradise" (2013)
The farm Krameterhof of permaculture pioneer Sepp Holzer in
Ramingstein near Salzburg in Austria [1] - Krameterhof, shield
- Sepp Holzer in 2013 appr.
Here are some great pioneers - in terms of organic farming
with permaculture - almost NO machines, NO pesticides,
almost NO irrigation, with FOREST GARDEN:
Transforming a farm - example Sepp Holzer
at his farm Krameterhof in Austria
The farm Krameterhof of permaculture pioneer Sepp Holzer
at Ramingstein near Salzburg in Austria [1] - map 01:
Austria with Salzburg and Ramingstein [2]
Krameterhof
Keusching 13,
5591 Ramingstein,
Austria
TEL + FAX 0043 6475 239
E-MAIL office@krameterhof.at
On this farm Krameterhof there are always workshops and
events - Link.
First there was a big movie "Sepp Holzer - the agrarian
rebell" in 2001, and then two books followed in 2002 and
2004 - and in 2013 the book was presented how to convert
deserts into blooming landscapes:
-- Movie of 2001 on DVD "The agrarian rebell. Permaculture
in the Salzburg Alps" (original German: "Der Agrarrebell.
Permakultur in den Salzburger Alpen") (2001) - Amazon-Link
-- Book of 2002 "Sepp Holzer - the agrarian rebell"
(original German: "Sepp Holzer - der Agrarrebell")
(2002) ISBN 3-7020-0970-1
- Amazon-Link
-- book of 2004 "Sepp Holzer's permaculture. Practical
methods for garden, fruit and agriculture" (original
German: "Sepp Holzers Permakultur. Praktische Anwendung
für Garten, Obst- und Landwirtschaft" (2004) ISBN 3-7020-1037-8
- Amazon-Link
-- Book of 2013 "Desert or
Paradise. Holzer's Permaculture Now!" (original
German: "Wüste oder Paradies. Holzer'sche Permakultur
jetzt!") (2013) - Amazon-Link
There are more movies on DVD:
-- CD-ROM: "The Holzer Permaculture - A Thinking in
Cycles and Interactions" (original German: "Die
Holzer'sche Permakultur - Ein Denken in
Kreisläufen und Wechselwirkungen")EN
PAISAJES
Movies in English
-- DVD Sepp Holzer's Permaculture (English): 3 movies:
"Farming With Nature" - "Aquaculture" "Terraces and Raised
Beds" - Amazon
link
The Farm Krameterhof of Sepp Holzer - an
overview
The basic principles of Holzer:
-- "Diversity instead of simplicity, because all animals
and plants have a meaningful function"
-- "Cooperate with nature instead of fighting it. Observe
nature and find out which plants support each other"
[web03]
Mountain climate in the Salzburg Alps between 900 and
1400m above sea level - 40 years of experiments -
permaculture and stubborn Austrian authorities
On the farm of Sepp Holzer in the Alps at 900 to 1400m
altitude, there is an annual average temperature of 4.5
degrees C [about 41º Fahrenheit]. Holzer observed nature
for more than 40 years, experimenting and creating an
ecosystem that resembled an "edible paradise landscape"
with "diversity instead of simplicity". He found out which
plants support each other. The authorities, however, found
that Holzer would not comply with standards and provoked
processes that increased Holzer's profile.
The development of 40 years of research on permaculture
mountain farming is described in the book "Sepp Holzer -
the agrarian rebell" (original German: "Sepp Holzer - der
Agrarrebell") (2002) ISBN 3-7020-0970-1
- Amazon-Link
Many more details are described in his book of 2004 "Sepp
Holzer's permaculture. Practical methods for garden, fruit
and agriculture" (original German: "Sepp Holzers
Permakultur. Praktische Anwendung für Garten, Obst- und
Landwirtschaft" (2004) ISBN 3-7020-1037-8
- Amazon-Link
Details about the farm Krameterhof of Sepp
Holzer near Salzburg
The creation of a new landscape with ponds and a small
lake - then only a minimal amount of work - Medicinal
plants + hillocks - Pigs plow the fields - Cleverly
combined mixed cultures save pesticides etc.
-- With large machines, the landscape of the Krameterhof
was changed and ponds were created, giant hills were
created and wind-friendly zones were created [web08]
-- Fishponds and frog pools were created for water supply
-- Sepp Holzer grows kiwis on his mountain farm, cherries,
pumpkins, radishes, cereals grow in the forest
-- He has a minimum workload with maximum yield
-- Pigs and chickens roam freely and eat [in demarcated
areas], pigs are working like a plow plowing and preparing
fields
-- Medicinal plants and hillbeds (hillpatches) are
standard
-- Sepp Holzer is a frequent consultant for projects, also
overseas in Colombia, Ecuador and Brazil, where unfertile
soils are transformed back into agricultural land with the
help of permaculture
-- Criminal NWO authorities in Austria wanted to prevent
the new permaculture agriculture of Holzer, but they did
not succeed. [web04]
-- With cleverly combined mixed cultures fertilizers are
not needed
-- Fish farming is possible with sophisticated ponds
-- Amphibians and birds regulate harmful insects [web06]
-- chickens and pigs eat slugs and nudibranchs in the
vegetable garden [web08]
Permaculture pioneer Sepp Holzer and wife Veronika Holzer
ran the Krameterhof until 2009 and since 2012 they are
living in warmer Austrian region of Burgenland with their
pension. The Krameterhof is continued by the son Josef A.
Holzer [web05].
Krameterhof farm - and Holzerhof farm in Jennersdorf
since 2012
In Castle Country (Burgenland) in the village of
Jennersdorf [appr. 120km south of Vienna], a project
"Jena-Hof" with Holzer did not succeed and massive
landslides were said to have caused the bankruptcy of the
farm. Sepp Holzer took over this farm as part of a
creditor comparison, now calls the farm "Holzer's Farm"
("Holzerhof") and lives there in the "flatlands" with his
wife Veronika [web15].
Der Holzerhof in Jennersdorf mit Sonnenblumen [30] - Der
Holzerhof in Jennersdorf, das Wohnhaus im Winter [31] -
map 02 with Austria with Ramingstein and Jennersdorf
[map02]
[Maybe new permaculture experiments and results come now
from the flatlands].
Contacts and projects on Holzerhof can be seen on the web
site http://www.seppholzer.at/
click on the English version. The farm seems keeping well,
with much organic vegetables, with workshops and so on.
This farm is listed in the list of projects (pdf
60 pages - with many photos).
Video: The principles on
the farm Krameterhof of Sepp Holzer - video
Video: Permakultur - Der
Krameterhof von Sepp Holzer (24'39'')
Video: Permakultur - Der Krameterhof von Sepp Holzer
(24'39'') - YouTube-Kanal: Naturnetzwerk
net
The farm of Krameterhof in
the Alps (record)
Plants grow best in
symbiosis of different species - 1100 to 1500 m
above sea level - everything is terraced - enormous
diversity with mixed culture
Nature arranges itself when many different plants are
living in common. When many plants of the same sort are
planted together they all need the same nutrients and
there will be nothing left. The industrial man always
plants the same plants next to each other, so that the
plants take away each other's nutrients and in the end
nothing grows anymore. Sepp Holzer took over the farm in
1962, there are 50 hectares, the area goes from 1100 to
1500 m above sea level (4'1 ''). Holzer terraced the
whole mountain, which resulted in a lush vegetation with
an enormous variety (4'14 ''). In part, exotic plants
have settled in the warm microclimate spots of the
terraces. There is symbiosis (4'18 ''). The mixed crops
bring much more yield: Blueberries grow next to the
carrot salad bed, and carrots and lettuce are mixed
(5'15 '').
Farm Krameterhof, the
sign: "Special agricultural crops KRAMETERHOF, Sepp
Holzer" - One of the 72 ponds
and mountain lakes at Krameterhof - Sepp Holzer 2013
approx.
A principle of Holzer: Plants are living beings, and
accordingly one has to be gentle with the plants (5'46
'').
[So do not plow, do not hurt their roots, plants should
not be isolated from other plants where they like to
grow, plants should not starve or freeze when it's
possible to avoid it, etc.].
Apples, kiwis, grapes in the Alps between 1100 and
1500m above sea level
Plants give signals when they are not feeling well (6'10
''). In this mixed culture on the Krameterhof, the
fruits are growing lusciously with richly laden apple
trees (6'20 '') and there are the Chinese kiwis, which
mature here highly aromatic (6'39 ''). Stone terraces
radiate heat having a "tiled stove effect" forming a
"rock tiled stove" (6'55 ''). And here in the "rock
tiled stove" grow and mature grapes (7'4 ''). Thus, it
is no problem to grow heat-needy plants in the mountains
next to rock walls on sunny slopes (7'17 '').
The farm Krameterhof of Sepp Holzer:
Apples are growing in abundance, normally growing only
in the lowlands - including kiwis - and grapes.
The pond system on the Krameterhof: 72 ponds and
mountain lakes
Sepp Holzer has created a total of 72 ponds and lakes,
with 4 hectares of water (7'57 ''). In the ponds live
aquatic plants, fish, crab, shells (8'33 ''). The pond
system is the reservoir for periods of drought, so the
farm Krameterhof never runs out of water (8'41 ''),
there is no risk of fire, there is no hardened ground
(8'49 ''). In his ponds, Sepp Holzer breeds more than 30
different fish species (9'21 ''), "diversity and not
simplicity preserves the system" (9'24 '').
The farm Krameterhof
by Sepp Holzer - A fishpond on the Krameterhof, one of
72 ponds and lakes
The specialties of Sepp Holzers Krameterhof:
terraces, fruit trees in the forest, fish ponds,
outdoor animal husbandry
Sepp Holzer's specialties on his farm are: the terraces,
the fruit trees in the forest, the fish ponds [72
ponds], the animal husbandry outdoors (9'41 '').
The criminal administration in Austria wanted to ban
Holzer's innovations
The criminal administration wanted to ban everything.
Sepp Holzer: "I'm the most punished farmer in all of
Austria." (9'44 '') - The fruit trees in the forest
should be a fact, which was called "forest devastation"
(9'48 ''). Fruit trees are said to be a
"forestry-foreign wood" (9'51 ''). The terracing was
defined by the criminal administration of Austria as
"unauthorized earthwork" (9'55 ''). So the criminal
officials from the offices of Austria came in in groups
(10'0 ''). They walked everywhere, provoked a lot of
damage to the ground, trampled on everything, and kept
inventing new regulations - absolutely unbearable (10'8
'').
The cattle cycle on the fields: animals
on the fields changing between pigs, cattle, and cheep
Sepp Holzer keeps Duroc
pigs (variation of Schwäbisch-Hall) on his
Krameterhof, the very big boars weigh up to 460kg and
are also very useful for terracing and biotope digging
the ground down to 1m (10'49 "). Pigs can be lead with
food (10'58 ''). Pigs from factory farming are stupid,
lie down in the sun and get sunburn in just one day of
lounging and lying in the sun (11'4 ''). Pigs from
factory farming are therefore mental cripples (11'10
'').
Duroc pigs by Sepp Holzer - a Duroc
boar is up to 460kg of weight - Sepp Holzer feeds
his flock of sheep
Holzer uses his animals specifically for landscape
conservation. The flock of sheep is constantly
changing it's food places changing the paddocks (11'26
''). The pigs dig through an area, then is sowing
action, and when the vegetation is again lush, the
cattle come and eat the lush vegetation (11'34 '').
Then come again the sheep, which eat everything down
to the last cm, and then the pigs are preparing the
zone again for sowing (11'37 ''). The animals are led
from place to place and are not locked in the stable
in "prison" (11'45 ''). [The stable stays open]. And
so the animals are doing the work in groups
alternately and replace the work from the farmer
(11'50 '').
Farm Krameterhof of Sepp
Holzer, pigs in the straw - cattle grazing a paddock
Bees, earthworms, forest ants
Bees are the main insects - and the regulators are
earthworms and forest ants: the earthworm mixes
everything, then all the nutrients are mixed in one.
Without earthworms, the creation would have long been
extinct (12'22 ''). Ants regulate insect stocks, eat
caterpillars etc. when there are too many (12'36 '').
Ants have a road network under the grass, they are
organized like a city (12'43 ''), with platforms, paths,
highways, even underground - highly intelligent (12'50
'').
The village of Ramingstein - worldwide projects -
lake landscape in Portugal
The farm Krameterhof is located near the village of
Ramingstein, at the local restaurant the conversation is
not worthwhile, because one is only interrogated and
then envy comes up (13'48 ''). Mr. Sepp Holzer now was
called to perform projects in the whole world, in
Norway, in Spain, in Ecuador, the authorities receive
Sepp Holzer there like a state guest (13'58 '').
Project in Portugal: Sepp Holzer created a water
landscape there as a prevention against further big
forest fires (14'6 ''). Three lakes were built there to
better withstand the drought in summer (14'14 ''). Link:
Photo report about Tamera in Portugal (English)
Family history
Sepp Holzer grew up at the farm of Krameterhof. The way
to school was then 1 hour down and 2 hours up. Paved
road did not exist at that time (14'52 ''). Agriculture
was inefficiently organized and it reached the limit of
efficiency (15'39 ''). Mr. Holzer has a dog, and when
Holzer comes home from traveling it feels alreacy half
an hour before returning that he will come. His son
manages the agriculture now, and Sepp Holzer gives the
lectures and consultations (16'32 '') to modify projects
with terrain and create new lakes (16'45 '').
Sepp Holzer as
a child - permaculture pioneer Sepp Holzer with dog
Laika - wife of Sepp Holzer
The inspirations for efficient permaculture
Most ideas for the new agriculture came as an inspiration
in the sleep and were notated with block and pin (17'30
''). And at the big pond is another power place. If you
rest there, you get more ideas (18'12 '').
Son of Sepp Holzer - big pond at
Krameterhof, one of 72 ponds and mountain lakes
Stinging nettle does not sting Holzer
Sepp Holzer enthuses about the nettle as a medicinal
plant, he even eats stinging nettles and it does not sting
him at all, that is just a hypersensitivity of the
degenerated humans (18'52 ''). He picks a nettle leaf,
rolls it up and eats it like a praline, it does not sting
him (19'0 '').
Training in permaculture with courses - tourist guides
Education: Sepp Holzer offers courses in permaculture, a
one-year course and a two-year course (19'22 ''). The
training is completed with the title "Permaculture
practice of Holzer" (German: "Holzerischer
Permakultur-Praktiker") (19'38 ''). In addition, there are
tourist guides for people who want to rediscover the
connection to nature (20'49 ''). Water springs are shaped
in larch wood that holds for generations (21'44 ''). Other
water sources quickly bubble out of the wooden channel and
are set in wells (21'50 ''). Tourists realize with Holzer
that they do not know anything about nature, that the
school system of "civilization" teaches them nothing about
nature (22'11 '').
Sepp Holzer says it clearly: The
whole agriculture is deliberately manipulated to
monoculture, and a few earn when there are disasters -
duck pond on the Krameterhof by Sepp Holzer, one of 72 -
Sepp Holzer with his cows
On the other side of the valley [on other farms with other
farmers] there is forestry with spruce plantations and
they have many losses, with total dumbing down to
cultivate only a single plant per hectare. And this
stupidity, this unnatural behavior is to blame for the
worldwide catastrophes (22'31 ''). There are a few who
make their money from the disasters (22'35 ''). "And as
long as one can make money with disasters, the
catastrophes will not stop." (22'40 '') - Telling
what one thinks, [and if one does what one thinks], then
this will be rewarded greatly by nature, then comes the
life energy, then comes the order of the nature and in the
end, when one is satisfied, the teaching comes to pass on
the knowledge. There are now so many responses there,
Holzer can not read all the mails (23'49 ''). So there are
piles of mail (23'54 '').
Krameterhof of Sepp Holzer: Red
flower with wild bee - White flower with wasp -
Krameterhof of Sepp Holzer, pond bank with wild plants,
sorrel u.a.
"The whole world would be a paradise if farming on this
symbiotic farming right takes place worldwide." (24'6 '')
- This curriculum of his courses should actually be taught
in schools and universities: "That should actually be
taught in schools and universities." (24'12 '')
Book 1: "Sepp Holzer - the agrarian rebel"
(German: Sepp Holzer - der Agrarrebell") (2002) ISBN 3-7020-0970-1
- Amazon-Link
Data
from the reviews of "The Agrarian Rebel" (translations):
-- "That gives you the courage to go back to the
natural."
-- "A great book, one of the most beautiful that relates
to the garden and permaculture."
-- "For every gardener, amateur agronomist and student
absolutely recommendable."
-- "The book is very interesting written and the content
inspires me."
-- "Beautifully written, but some things are repeating
itself, but a buy recommendation, for those who are
interested in the topic of alternative management."
-- "simply ingenious - a thinking person who does not
join the group pressure but has the courage to assert
his own ideas and convictions.
I wish each one of us had such a spirit - the world
would be a much better place `to stay '...
Thanks, Sepp Holzer! "[Web04]
- "If you want deep insights into permaculture, this
book is not for you. But for people who want to look at
the topic and, above all, find interesting the path of
Sepp Holzer, and it is really interesting, because he
never accepted any limit, but he was always looking for
new solutions, this book will be fine. "
- "I particularly liked the first half of the book, in
which he describes his experiences with nature in his
childhood."
- "A thrilling biography of a dazzling personality:
Holzer's life, his constant struggle with the
authorities and lobbies give him a little bit of the
charisma of a Robin Hood."
- "In fact, this is primarily about his life and not
especially about permaculture advice, but by the way
there are some details learning with it." [web06]
-- "Captivating autobiography of a genius. Holzer
ruthlessly reveals some of the insanity of our times:
European-wide and municipal bureaucrats implement
regulations to the letter, even if the result runs
counter to the original meaning of the law.
Here is not only a guide to natural gardening /
agriculture included, but also a fair amount of social
criticism. We all use our wallet to determine what the
world will look like in a few years. Whether we can
still live - or merely survive - will depend not least
on whether enough people take up Holzer's experiences
and put them into action.
Holzer's enthusiastic plea for common sense belongs in
the bookshelf of every rural resident - and for the city
dwellers it is even more indispensable.
Who expects detailed instructions (planting bed in the
format n * x mm, more precise layer structure of a
compost heap, ...), will be disappointed, but then
realize: the diversity in nature is so great that it
depends mainly, the watching and experimenting. You have
to get the "why" out, then the "how" comes about all by
itself. "(Jürgen L. Hemm) [web07]
-- "Almost paradoxical that a farmer who has
miraculously maintained a close relationship with
nature and actually uses traditional methods is now
called a "rebel". Rebels would have to be those who
overcrowded their fields and monocultures with
chemistry, that the micro life dies out - and in
consequence the vicious circle to ever more chemical
employment arises.
Sepp Holzer has practiced organic agriculture and
permaculture throughout his life and has accumulated a
wealth of insights. For example he lets plow his
fields by swines, saves fertilizer combining plants
cleverly, with sophisticated pond systems he operates
a successful fish farming, by the many amphibians and
birds in the field he needs no insecticides. Nature
regulates itself largely, and usually better than
chemicals can.
However, he reports very honestly and openly about
many setbacks in life, among them often a quarrel with
the authorities, who - instead of promoting him - have
been working specifically against him. The book is the
story of his farm "Krameterhof" and is more an
autobiography. It contains many amazing and
fascinating ideas that are, however, mentioned only
relatively briefly. For the practice in detail there
is Holzer's second book "Permakultur"
("Permaculture"), which specifically addresses the
urban allotment gardener. Holzer deserves great praise
for his life's work, because he has proven that
ecological agriculture and livestock farming can also
be operated in an economically sensible way. The book
is a valuable resource for eco-farmers and a joy for
all nature-loving people! "(Christian von Montfort)
[web07]
-- "Josef Holzer is a stubborn and unconventional
thinker of great stature. I consider him a real
genius" (Bernd Lötsch, biologist and director of
the Natural History Museum in Vienna).
This statement gets my full approval. And what
Sepp Holzer reports from his life and work is not
a distant future fairytale, but a realizable
reality. For each. from us. In his own way.
Only to be recommended ... creativity and courage
instead of dullness. "(P. Mehrlein) [web07]
-- "It is to be hoped that as many farmers as
possible will benefit from the unusual wealth of
experience. Mr Holzer's farm is located in one of
the statistically, coldest regions of Austria and
more than 1,200 meters above sea level and there
grow even strawberries and even kiwis!
One can find more about his working methods on the
CD-ROM: "Holzer's Permaculture - A Thinking in
Cycles and Interactions" (original German: Die
Holzer'sche Permakultur - Ein Denken in
Kreisläufen und Wechselwirkungen).> [web08]
-- "Those who are seriously interested in
permaculture should stick to the books of Bill
Mollison. There are real tools for installing
sustainable nature and life systems. This Sepp
Holzer has done for himself, but for flat regions
and for people without land this book is no help."
[web08]
-- "Here is work with big excavator machines, pigs
are recommended as a slug fight strategy for the
vegetable garden and hunting and fishing are
presented extensively. The author presents what he
has bred already, including mushrooms and ants!"
(Books Rowdy) [web08]
-- "Common sense, observation of the natural
balance and above all respect for nature - are
essential foundations for this success.
High respect for this straightforwardness.
"Ingridl [web08]
-- "The Holzers installations have evidently been
created with the help of large construction,
agricultural and forestry machinery (pond systems,
giant hillbeds, wind-friendly tree zones ...)"
(Salomee) [web08]
The Book
of 2004: "Sepp Holzer's Permaculture" (German: "Sepp
Holzers Permaklultur")
The book "Sepp
Holzer's permaculture. Practical methods for
garden, fruit and agriculture" (original German:
"Sepp Holzers Permakultur. Praktische Anwendung
für Garten, Obst- und Landwirtschaft" (2004) ISBN
3-7020-1037-8 - Amazon-Link
Data from reports about "Sepp Holzers Permakultur"
(translation):
The book as a whole: permaculture farm, permaculture
growing methods
Content / structure:
On 303 pages [German version], Sepp Holzer deals with
the 6 main themes of landscape design, alternative
agricultural entertainment, fruit
landscapes, mushroom cultivation,
gardens and projects. From the application
of hillsbeds and water landscapes coming to alternative
livestock, finishing of fruit trees, mushroom growing on
straw, on wood and in the forest passing to urban garden
design and herbal and herbalism, the author provides a
broad knowledge in an easy way to understand. A
practical plant list provides information about herbs
and vegetables and their cultivation properties. Very
nice are also the representations of the projects that
Holzer has accompanied, i.a.in Scotland and Thailand.
The entire book is extensively illustrated with photos
and drawings
Quotes:
"Anyone who is accustomed to carrying out all the work
according to certain 'knit patterns' and 'recipes' will
find it very hard to get used to the path of this new
real independence, because in this case one has to take
all the decisions by oneself."
"An earthworm can not go to the veterinarian doctor
after all."
"If enough of these plants are present, the voles will
leave the fruit trees alone. The question is not what
can I do against the 'pests', but what can I do for them
so they will not harm me, but maybe they will even be
useful for me."
"Permaculture does not function with a shield protection
from outside influences, but requires cooperation!"
"Nature is perfect, creation perfect, only human beings
make the mistakes."
Rating:
As an introduction to working with nature, whether in
agriculture or in the city garden, this is an inspiring,
comprehensive and hopeful book. Living in harmony with
the environment is possible and more than necessary
these days. If you want a paradigm shift in traditional
agriculture, you can start with this book yourself.
(Kristine Tauch) [web11]
Holzer's partnership in the "Siberia of Austria":
extensive with complete biodiversity and little work
"Sepp Holzer's Krameterhof in the" Siberia of
Austria" with a range from 1,100 to 1,400 meters
above sea level. from his rich experience and nature
observations, he refuses, as the proprietor of an
"unfavorable position", only cultivating some spruce
trees. But he is experimenting and listening to nature
for it's survival strategies. [...]
Holzer relentlessly unmasks many of the products and
procedures of the building shopping centers and
agricultural multinationals as hostile to nature -
they only benefit the manufacturer / seller, but not
the customer and certainly not the health of man and
the environment.
Due to the size of his business with currently 45
hectares, he presents only extensively laborious
procedures, which is exactly what "part-time
gardeners" need when they have a full time job - not
wanting to spend every spare minute with weeding,
mowing, digging, fertilizing, cutting, watering, etc.
Holzer shows how nature does that: The perfectly
coordinated community of living with its biodiversity
is maintaining itself - the human being only has to
work with nature and not against it. "(Juergen L.
Hemm) [web13]
Holzer compared with Fukuoka, Mollison, Bell,
Holmgren, etc.
"A lot of new ideas and tips are coming here to try
out and think about it ... Anyone who has already read
Fukuoka, Mollison, Bell and Holmgren will find that
Holzer's approach is again a unique kind of
permaculture. Every author has it's wealth in his area
and brings us further with new ideas. Of course
Fukuoka remains undoubtedly the "forefather" of
permaculture, but: there are very instructive and lots
of new ideas!" (G. Hilbe) [web13] Illustrations and tables - just for imitating
"Sepp Holzer has created something very impressive and
describes it very vividly with some illustrations and
tables for easy imitation for home or agricultural
work in a larger style - everything sounds very
logical and so easy." (Tina) [web11]
With expert know-how, funny, critical, enlightening
- drawings and photos
"The book is written in a language as he speaks
himself: with expert know-how, funny, critical and
enlightening. I have found in this reading great
theoretical and practical tips to build my own small
hill culture ... and much more ... many suggestions
for the land around me to transform it so that it can
be productive, beautiful, practical, ecological and
rich in plants and animals. Holzer is a lover of
nature but also a businessman who shows how to grow
fruits and vegetables with a new and nature friendly
system... and also in large format.
Many drawings and several photos of his own projects
help for a better interpretation of the words.
The most important thing I learned from this book is:
you have to observe nature and then experiment!
"(J.Popp) [web09]
Sepp Holzer already experimented as a boy
"For me, Sepp Holzer is a veteran of German
permaculture - in this way he worked as a boy on his
parents' farm already, observing and experimenting a
lot ..." (pioneer) [web12]
The farm's landscape: water landscapes, ponds,
harvest
"Forming the landscape, excavator is used. Water
landscapes with ponds are planned, crop landscapes
with cashier and shopping basket for self-harvesting
is installed (fantastic!), animal husbandry in a large
dimension, fruit landscapes, farmer's garden." (Jürgen
Schröter) [web11] The farm's landscape: hillbeds, mushroom growing,
vegetables, fruit growing - the creation of small
climates with walls or ponds
"Very good testimonials and descriptions for
possible approaches in the permaculture for house,
yard, garden, and also near the city gardens;
facades and balcony planting; planting of hillbeds;
mushroom growing; vegetable - and fruit growing and
much more in the descriptions is presented by Sepp
Holzer, of course always telling from his experience
in the "mountains".
There are many descriptions of why and how to create
microclimates (with stones, on walls of houses, by
rock walls, with water gardens, etc.). There are
also clear explanations, why it is important to keep
water as long as possible on the property (actually
one should not need additional watering, but alone
with the already better rainwater (or who has using
spring water - like Sepp Holzer) this should work."
(Mentz) [web12 ]
The farm's landscape: optimally exploiting the
territory with terraces and hillsides - mixed
cultures - fruit varieties - animal husbandry
"One can learn here a lot about cultivation
techniques, how to make the best use of the area
with the help of terraces and beetles, explain mixed
cultures that work well with each other, there is
also a section on old and recommended fruit
varieties and a chapter on animal husbandry in
permaculture." (Katinki) [web10]
Details about
symbiotic plants (partner plants) - much useful can be
found
"In this book, among other things symbioses of plants
are presented heartily detailed in my opinion too much
because it consumes quite a few pages and you will find
enough on the Internet on this topic and of course it
does not interest every reader how mushrooms or original
grain (Urkorn) at 1400m above sea level, but one should
still read it carefully, because there is hidden
everywhere a little bit useful :)
Livestock is also an issue that only a very small part
of the readers can use, but also here you can make some
useful for the private household. "(Daniele Mende)
[web09]
Great ideas for the Alps
"There are great ideas in this book, but one has to know
that not everything can be transferred from the high
mountain farm to any other area." (Nicole) [web09]
"1.) There are instructions, but they remain too
imprecise
2.) ... and they are mainly suitable for alpine regions
"(B. Heuvel) [web13]
Creative solutions for extensive agriculture:
springs, terraces, rock walls
"The book about Sepp Holzer's permaculture is a nice
introduction to the topic of "permaculture" and is
interesting for every organic gardener.
The Austrian farmer reveals a lot of creative solutions
for extensive agriculture without being dogmatic. [...]
Obviously, it is important to the author to stimulate
the reader to experiment, he gives practical tips and
underpins them with his own observations. [...]
The main elements of management at Krameterhof are
springs, terraced mountain slopes and rock faces.
"(Evelyne Kluser) [web09]
One has to change the agriculture system in general
"If people were gardening and / or working according
to this book, it would be very different with our
environment, and for my part, I would do some things
in my own garden. The book should be a must-read for
agricultural schools and institutions etc.! " (R.
Schild) [web13]
"After reading this book, you realize what's going
wrong in 'normal' agriculture and how easy it is to
change back. Really very informative, practical and
wonderful." (Miriam Shiran) [web13]
Real organic farming - with profit, and
with little energy consumption
"Fantastic book, exciting to read, it shows how real
organic agriculture could look like if more farmers had
the courage to do it differently, and permaculture is
presented here as a profitable and energy-saving
alternative not only for hobby gardeners but also for
farmers." (Markus Meyer) [web09]
"Sepp Holzer's book baffles with how little effort one
lives for, by and with nature." (Rainer Heinz) [web10]
Details: mushrooms, breeding worms, ennobling trees
"Fungus farming, worm breeding, the refining of trees"
(Willi Peters) [web10]
Details: Pigs, tree fungi breed, pond plants
"Since he is a niche farmer, he also writes about pens
for pigs and tree mushroom growing and ponds.This is not
all usable for the allotment gardener, but the basic
philosophy is very valuable and can also be used for the
small practitioner. His chapter is very interesting on
the fruit tree processing, with graphic representation
of the working techniques. " (Markus Lindermayr) [web12]
Details: pigsties, fruit trees, domestic animal races
(domestic breeds)
"There are lots of great tips for the construction of
pigsties, the implementation of fruit trees and tips on
domestic breeds. I found interesting Sepp Holzers shock
therapy for trees.
In short, those who deal with self-sufficiency or
permaculture must own this book. Holzer's methods may be
incomprehensible to many, but they have managed to make
a name for themselves in alternative gardening. Holzer
is a pioneer! "(Wwoofer) [web13] Details: Stable construction, installing lakes,
effective and economical - clear words and pictures
- and make your own experiments
"A book for practitioners. Finally. One gets detailed
and simple instructions for the construction of
stables, lakes, etc. Efficiency and economy is in the
foreground, and for the benefit of all involved:
Animals, plants and people!
Sepp Holzer is much more than a stubborn farmer with a
green thumb. He wants to pass on his observations
about animal and plant life. And he can - in clear
words and with impressive pictures, which one finds in
the book.
What I particularly like: one feels the need to
encourage people not just to imitate but to make their
own experiments." (Amazon Customer) [web13]
Garden lovers also have something of this book
"For the experienced hobby gardener it offers a lot of
new ideas and suggestions." (J. Held) [web12]
"A very well written and informative book also
recommended for garden beginners." (Ulrike) [web10]
"I'm thrilled that everything in nature without
chemistry and Co. is possible and how many approaches
of Holzer can be implemented - even in the small
garden." (ps) [web11]
"Read the book and perform gardening as [a Fantasy]
God has planned it [they were godS].
With this type of cultivation, any use of chemicals is
superfluous.
Sepp Holzer provides an invaluable service to all who
are interested, and he helps to make the world a
better place." (Peter Pan) [web11] The book is not a guide for balcony gardening in the
city
"Living in an appartment that has only a small balcony,
one can not implement everything, of course." (Alexa)
[web09]
"Instead of hillbed I make cheap raised beds of metal
composter, which there in the handicraft shopping
center." (Herman Häuslschmid) [web12]
[But surface is doubled with a hillbed].
The book is not a guide for beginners
"If you do not already have extensive knowledge of
agriculture and about the cycles of nature, if you
intend to use this book as a beginner's guide, you will
most likely fail catastrophically." (Duck) [web14]
Book
3: "Desert or paradise. Permaculture of Holzer now!"
(original German: Wüste oder Paradies. Holzer'sche
Permakultur jetzt!" - 2013) Amazon-Link
The content in the book "Desert or Paradise"
(German: "Wüste oder Paradies") is above all the water
management with the creation of ponds and lakes, because
water is the basis of any renaturation of a landscape.
Then will come forest development, mixed vegetable and
fruit cultures and regeneration of soil life and
thoughts about animal husbandry, where animals are
valued as beings as employees. Thus one can secure the
world food or independent self-sufficiency. The
practical part describes the creation of ponds and lakes
and permaculture in the garden and on the balcony,
hanging gardens, vertical gardens. The transition of
pesticide-machine farms to become permaculture farms is
also an issue in the book, which needs to be phased out
with regeneration, regulating pests, establishing
irrigation and frost protection, biotope-appropriate
animal husbandry, seed production, beekeeping and rescue
of old trees etc. So the earth can be healed and natural
disasters are avoided.
Reviews from readers (translation):
Working with nature
"Sepp Holzer shows you how to work with nature! Not
against it ... it works only with nature ... Highly
recommended!" (Alpha athlete) [web16]
"He gives very good suggestions." (Sönke Kramer) [web16]
"I can highly recommend this wonderful book to anyone on
this earth who is concerned with living with nature and
not against it." (Schmid) [web17] Chapters:
Water - ponds, lakes - reservoirs -
permaculture - gardens in slums - gardens
on the balcony - animals help to make
gardening
The power of the water (Die Kraft des
Wassers) Installing
of ponds and lakes (Die Anlage von
Teichen und Seen) Is
a water retention basin the same as a
reservoir? (No) - (Ist ein
Wasserretentionsbecken das
gleich wie ein Stausee?
(nein)) Brief
introduction to permaculture (Kurze Einführung
in die Permakltur) Urban
gardening in poor areas (eg junkyard, slums)
- (Urban gardening
in armen Gegenden (z. B.
Schrottplaz, Slums) Hanging,
vertical gardens (Hängende,
senkrechte Gärten) How
can animals help to make land fertile (Wie können Tiere
helfen, Land fruchtbar zu
machen)
(Johanna from Kassel) [web17]
"For me a very good book and a very profound
but not snobby language." (Johanna from
Kassel) [web17]
Holzer is teaching the healing of entire
landscapes with ponds and lakes
"Who wants to deal with the healing of our
habitats should not leave this book out!
Here you can learn about the re-creation of
paradisiacal landscapes by designing with
the life-giving water. "(Martin Richter)
[web16]
"[...] mainly is about waters and water
landscapes of a big size. Mr. Holzer also
describes projects around the world that he
has worked on, which I am very interested
in, but I could hardly find anything about
them on the Internet. Pitty. " (Brightly)
[web16]
"This book is mainly about water, the
interplay of fertile lands and water
features that correspond to the natural
course of nature. In short, it's about
natural sustainable water management, not
just in productive areas." (Johanna from
Kassel) [web17]
"Water as a life-giving element usually
playing the central role in the
renaturation of a destroyed landscape.
When the water balance is corrected,
nature often heals itself. Sepp Holzer
explains how working water landscapes
are built.
However, this book is not just about
large-scale landscapes, but also about
the smallest garden size which can be
managed according to Holzer's
principles." (Ziska's book trip) [web18]
"Sepp Holzer describes how the so-called
"natural disasters" arise and ABOVE ALL
what mankind can do to bring nature back
into order, namely
1. by reforestation with mixed forests
(if possible with "edible" fruit, nut
and chestnut trees) not monocultures!
2. by creating retention spaces for
water: strategically placed lakes where
rainwater can accumulate, releasing it
to the earth and allowing the
groundwater level to rise again.
This is above all a sensation especially
for dry landscapes.
He also makes suggestions for
agriculture: how to make money with
permaculture." (Gertraud Gilgado)
[web18] Holzer is teaching the water
projects - and life comes back
"This book shows how this can work -
and it always starts with the water.
For some years now, permaculture
expert and mountain farmer Sepp Holzer
has traveled the world more than at
home on Krameterhof. He advises
Anastasia settlements in Russia and
Ukraine, ecovillages in Turkey,
monasteries in Greece, healing centers
in the "USA", landowners in Scotland,
Spain, and for four years also the
Peace Research Center Tamera [in
Portugal - link].
These places are transformed under his
advice into natural paradises that can
feed their owners. In every country on
earth, as Sepp Holzer shows, people
can feed themselves when they learn to
communicate with nature again.
When Sepp Holzer asked me almost two
years ago to support him with his new
book, I gladly accepted. It should be
a book about water! Because water is
the most important thing. Water is
life, it is information, it is wealth.
Anyone who has put the water balance
on their land in order, has done most
of the work.
Soon, however, we realized that water
is, above all, one thing: an element
of connection. One can not write about
water without mentioning everything
else, and so the book is about a lot:
forest building, landscape healing,
vegetable growing, seed production,
urban gardening, animal husbandry, up
to thoughts about community founding,
raising children and a program for
global food justice ." (Leila Dregger)
[web18]
Learning to read in nature
"This book opens the eyes to read in
nature.
It is easy written and it gives a view
of the natural processes, which for
advanced peope as well as for
beginners or just for nature lovers
means an extension of the perception.
With such an alternative view, one
automatically also questions other
facts in one's life, such as the diet
or the habits on shopping tours.
For me personally this meant that I
felt much more connected to nature and
that I was able to better understand
their processes. This work is a
baseline for natural viewing and
management, whether I have only a
balcony or a territory. "(Lion)
[web16]
Put things into practice - with the book of
Holzer
"This is a dream concerning the content.
Compared with my own assumptions and
expectations I got much more. It was, among
other things, very clearly illustrated how
things can be put into practical use. And
there are among others many graphics and also
many photos included. Also the direct,
rhetorical pointing at "problem areas" is
pleasing me very much as Sepp Holzer shows it.
" (CustomerX) [web16]
Holzer can turn deserts into fertile
landscapes - with EASY means!
"This book is a guidepost for the future. When
deserts become fertile landscapes again and
when this can be cone by everyone with simple
means, that is a ray of light for the future.
"(Jochen) [web16]
Holzer with a world plan against hunger -
everyone can grow his own food ONESELF
">Water is the blood of the earth. Only water
that binds to the earth, is allowed to seep in,
will mineralize and ripen to be drinking water
Only covered soil protects the water balance.
Drinking water is the most important food.<
Holzer explains how and why wells will salt nar
the coast lines, why pigs are the best employees
in the development of forests, why water is the
most valuable asset of a landscape, why central
giant water dams need to be destroyed, how we
gain access to living drinking water and utility
water installing a ring water pipeline with
settlement construction and new house
construction, why the egg is the optimal shape
for water vessels, [he explains] that water is a
living thing, that the hunger in our world is
deliberately controlled to maximize profits,
that in 2011 food prices have risen worldwide by
70% after a bumper harvest in 2010, that the
answer to this can only be: become autonomous,
regionally self-sufficient!
What I have always suspected, the author and a
professor Lötsch from Vienna have estimated that
our planet can easily feed up to 21 billion
people, if these people will live and have their
businesses according to the laws of nature!
That's three times the current world population.
And on p.120: It is possible for every region of
the earth, in all climates, to produce healthy
food in abundance! All participants have to be
given their independence back: the soil, the
plants, the animals, the people. [Leave
chemistry out. Pharmaceutical industry kills.
1-god religions are killing because of their
monocultures of their fantasies and because of
their defamations against other cultures].
We need a revolution in agriculture, settlements
and cities. From p.123 on there is a 10-point
plan against hunger:
1. Fix the water balance = 70%.
2. Abolish factory farming.
3. Restore damaged areas.
4. Enlarge surfaces, e.g. through hillbeds.
5. Increase productivity.
6. Regionalization instead of globalization.
7. Land Reform: EVERY MAN HAS A RIGHT TO BE A
LAND OWNER!
8. Neighborhood aid + community foundation.
9. Revive old knowledge.
10. Learning to read in nature.
Together is better than lonely - that counts for
humans, animals and plants at the same time.
Garbage hillbeds for slums. Sewage sludge is
poisonous potting soil. Better is molehill
earth. We have a right to harvested seeds
ourselves. Natural breeding for regional plant
varieties. Imagine your nature! Protect plants
and animals from the soulless theory cripple
ministers from Brussels!
Unfortunately, I read on page 172 the uncritical
repetition of the CO2 lie, here called climate
sin. Sepp, do you need that, or who put this
sentence in your book?
[Supplement: Climate changes come by variation
of solar activity, and Ice Ages come when planet Earth
is passing an arm of the Milky Way - link].
On p.186ff
animal is killed, with the consent of the
animal? Here, the hunter Holzer's imagination
clearly goes in the wrong direction. I suspect
rightly the suspicion that he would like to
renatural nature, among other things, to get
back to good hunting grounds. That makes me very
sad. But I put that aside and keep looking at
what is good, acceptable and promising for me.
Over the past 40 years, 9 out of 10 farmers have
given up [in Germany, Austria]. There is not
only farmer's extinction by suicide in India,
but also in German speaking and English speaking
countries, thanks to Monsanto. There are hardly
reports about it in our lulling to sleep media.
The biggest challenge is the education of our
children. Education for self-employment and
cooperation with nature. Only those who grow up
with nature learn responsibility. Man, rebuild
your relationship with nature! Only with an
intact family there will be an intact society.
Generation houses." (Maja) [web18]
Transforming a farm - example Sepp
Holzer at his farm Krameterhof in Austria -- The Farm
Krameterhof of Sepp Holzer - an overview: Mountain climate
in the Salzburg Alps between 900 and 1400m above sea level -
40 years of experiments - permaculture and stubborn Austrian
authorities -- Details about the farm Krameterhof of Sepp
Holzer near Salzburg : The creation of a new landscape with
ponds and a small lake - then only a minimal amount of work
- Medicinal plants + hillocks - Pigs plow the fields -
Cleverly combined mixed cultures save pesticides etc. --
Krameterhof farm - and Holzerhof farm in Jennersdorf since
2012 -- Video: The principles on the farm Krameterhof of
Sepp Holzer - video : Plants grow best in symbiosis of
different species - 1100 to 1500 m above sea level -
everything is terraced - enormous diversity with mixed
culture -- Apples, kiwis, grapes in the Alps between 1100
and 1500m above sea level -- The pond system on the
Krameterhof: 72 ponds and mountain lakes -- The specialties
of Sepp Holzers Krameterhof: terraces, fruit trees in the
forest, fish ponds, outdoor animal husbandry -- The criminal
administration in Austria wanted to ban Holzer's innovations
-- The cattle cycle on the fields: animals on the fields
changing between pigs, cattle, and cheep -- Bees,
earthworms, forest ants -- The village of Ramingstein -
worldwide projects - lake landscape in Portugal -- Family
history -- The inspirations for efficient permaculture --
Stinging nettle does not sting Holzer -- Training in
permaculture with courses - tourist guides -- Book 1: "Sepp
Holzer - the agrarian rebel" (German: Sepp Holzer - der
Agrarrebell") (2002) -- Book 2: "Sepp Holzer's Permaculture"
-- The book as a whole: permaculture farm, permaculture
growing methods -- Holzer's partnership in the "Siberia of
Austria": extensive with complete biodiversity and little
work -- Holzer compared with Fukuoka, Mollison, Bell,
Holmgren, etc. -- Illustrations and tables - just for
imitating -- With expert know-how, funny, critical,
enlightening - drawings and photos -- Sepp Holzer already
experimented as a boy -- The farm's landscape: water
landscapes, ponds, harvest -- The farm's landscape:
hillbeds, mushroom growing, vegetables, fruit growing - the
creation of small climates with walls or ponds -- The farm's
landscape: optimally exploiting the territory with terraces
and hillsides - mixed cultures - fruit varieties - animal
husbandry -- Details about symbiotic plants (partner plants)
- much useful can be found -- Great ideas for the Alps --
Creative solutions for extensive agriculture: springs,
terraces, rock walls -- One has to change the agriculture
system in general -- Real organic farming - with profit, and
with little energy consumption -- Details: mushrooms,
breeding worms, ennobling trees -- Details: Pigs, tree fungi
breed, pond plants -- Details: pigsties, fruit trees,
domestic animal races (domestic breeds) -- Details: Stable
construction, installing lakes, effective and economical -
clear words and pictures - and make your own experiments --
Garden lovers also have something of this book -- The book
is not a guide for balcony gardening in the city -- The book
is not a guide for beginners -- Book 3: "Desert or paradise.
Permaculture of Holzer now!" (original German: Wüste oder
Paradies. Holzer'sche Permakultur jetzt!" - 2013) --
Working with nature -- Chapters: Water - ponds, lakes -
reservoirs - permaculture - gardens in slums - gardens on
the balcony - animals help to make gardening -- Holzer is
teaching the healing of entire landscapes with ponds and
lakes -- Holzer is teaching the water projects -
and life comes back -- Learning to read in nature -- Put
things into practice - with the book of Holzer -- Holzer can
turn deserts into fertile landscapes - with EASY means! --
Holzer with a world plan against hunger - everyone can grow
his own food ONESELF
Photo sources
[01] Farm Krameterhof of permaculture pioneer Sepp Holzer
near Salzburg in Austria:
http://www.krameterhof.at/cms60/index.php?id=51
Map 01: Austria with Ramingstein:
https://www.der-zirbentischler.at/kontakt-anreise-zirbe.html
Map 02: Austria with Ramingstein and Jennersdorf:
https://www.der-zirbentischler.at/kontakt-anreise-zirbe.html
