New Ebersberg farm boss: "Hope dies last"
Created: 08/17/2022 10:23 am
By: Robert Langer
Farmer Matthias Vodermeier in his new, state-of-the-art barn.
Actually, he has no time for the new office in the farmers' association, "but you have to do something," says the 37-year-old.
© Stefan Rossmann
Matthias Vodermeier (37) from Neufarn is the new district chairman of the farmers' association.
He replaces the organic farmer Franz Lenz from Zorneding, who was in office for 20 years.
District / Neufarn -
"Actually, you have no time, but you have to do something." That says the new Ebersberg district chairman of the farmers' association Matthias Vodermeier (37) from Neufarn.
He wants to tackle his new task with a lot of energy.
"It's about our future." A lot has gone wrong in agricultural policy in the past, and nothing has changed to this day.
Two candidates stood for election
Vodermeier has only been involved in association work for a relatively short time.
The start was in the local association.
"I've learned a few things since then," he says.
The previous district chairman Franz Lenz from Zorneding wanted to stop after 20 years.
Two candidates stood for election.
Vodermeier and the previous deputy Martin Höher.
"We had agreed who gets the most votes will become district chairman," explains Vodermeier.
The other becomes Vice.
“We will support each other.” It still has to be agreed who will take over which areas.
The new district chairman agreed with his wife in advance of his candidacy.
“It was a difficult decision.
But it's about the future.”
Vodermeier, married, three children, is a farmer by conviction.
Together with his wife Katharina, he runs a farm in Neufarn (Municipality of Vatersteten), mainly for raising calves.
The family has around 330 places.
The animals arrive at the age of four to six weeks, are fattened and then sold on.
When there is no more gas, it gets cold in the barn
For this purpose, a large new stable of 1100 square meters with several departments was built.
If you want to open the door, you have to pull hard on the handle.
The reason: negative pressure.
"There's a lot of technology in there." The hall is ventilated.
Used air is extracted, fresh air flows in.
In winter, for the well-being of the animals, heating is provided - currently with gas.
"I currently have a contract at a good price," says Vodermeier.
If that expires, there is a risk of significant additional costs.
"If there is no more gas at all, then it gets cold in the barn." You have to think about something about that.
"We have to be careful not to go from being dependent on energy to becoming dependent on food."
The Lieblhof in Neufarn has been managed by the family since 1904.
Matthias Vodermeier first did an electronics apprenticeship and worked for an engineering service provider in automotive development.
Farmer was the grandfather.
When he got health problems, it became difficult.
Matthias Vodermeier's father was a civil servant and didn't want to give up his job.
The farm became a part-time business.
Today Vodermeiers Hof is once again a full-time farm
Matthias Vodermeier's brother did not want to take over the farm in the next generation, but the new Kreisbauer and his wife did.
The company was restructured and the new barn was built.
Again a full-time business.
Matthias Vodermeiers had always helped out in the company.
"It's not a job, it's a calling." You need the right basic attitude.
That's what grandfather said.
The working hours are often long.
But you are also close to the family and you are self-employed.
also read
More than 2 meters long: Angler pulls giant fish out of pond - "Noticeable relief for wildlife"
Here comes a Tiny House: Antonia (27) fulfills a big dream in Tegernau
The farm includes around 30 hectares of cultivated land.
Maize, wheat and malting barley are grown.
There are also meadows for hay.
Vodermeier rejects the idea of selling land for residential development or business and thus making a lot of money.
You also have to think about the future of the children.
“Farmers think in terms of generations, otherwise we would no longer exist.
I do hope that someone will take over the farm later, that the children will be interested and also make a living.”
Vodermeier: Organic doesn't make sense for us
The predecessor in office, Franz Lenz from Zorneding, is an organic farmer, Vodermeier works conventionally.
"Organic would not be economical for our company," says the new district chairman.
However, he is still interested in bio-development.
If something makes sense, it can certainly be implemented.
He would like to get advice from his predecessor.
Incidentally, his wife treats the calves with homeopathic remedies.
But most of all it is support.
"Sometimes it's not enough.
You need something else."
Vodermeier wants to get involved in other political issues, such as the new railway line connecting the Brenner Pass in the southern district.
The livelihoods of farmers are threatened with planned new rails over fields, meadows and forests.
The new district chairman is skeptical that the groundwater protection on the route apparently had less weight in the decision than the cost efficiency factor.
"We have to try to inform the public more," says Vodermeier.
Now both federal and state politics are in demand.
"Hope dies last."
You can find more current news from the district of Ebersberg at Merkur.de/Ebersberg.
And what does the new district chairman want to tackle first?
"We have to coordinate with each other." The next district meeting is important.
A new district farmer had to be found.
So far, however, this has not worked.
In addition, the harvest is now on for the farms.
The list for future tasks is very long.
As one of many points, Vodermeier could also imagine events on accident prevention on farms, which could be aimed primarily at children, not only from agriculture itself, but also at possible visitors from kindergartens or schools.
Ebersberg newsletter: Everything from your region!
Our Ebersberg newsletter informs you regularly about all the important stories from the Ebersberg region - including all the news about the Corona crisis in your community.
Sign up here.