We started Day 1 of our workshop on how social entrepreneurship can contribute to market systems development in agriculture by having a tour of the Biohof Schüpenried – a ”cluster” of organic farming businesses close to Bern in Switzerland.
Roland Münger and Markus Wüthrich – two local entrepreneurs working on the Biohof Schüpenried – showed us around the farm various facilities. Despite the cold weather and rain, we enjoyed meeting the farm cows and learning that no milk is produced on the farm, only meat. Besides, the farm cows – unlike in industrial farming facilities – are given plenty of space to move around. For this reason, the cows’ horns are not cut as they normally are according with the Swiss law. And, it seemed to us, the cows are much happier than in other places. See below photo where one cow is insisting on giving Markus a kiss:
A truly happy cow on the Biohof Schüpfenreid We further learned the farm has had lots of technology and infrastructure built into it that did not exist before. Interestingly, this happened after a fire wiped out most of the facilities as they were at the time. In other words, every challenge or disaster is also a great opportunity to rebuild and create something new! And that is, as it happens, the very philosophy that underlies social business and social entrepreneurship.
Markus and Roland further explained that the Biohof Schüpenfried is not just an organic farm; it is, also, a space where mentally and physically challenged youth can train as apprentices and learn real-life skills, bond in a social setup and learn how to perform various sorts of tasks. This not only enhances their physical, emotional and mental well-being; it also gives them a real opportunity to find a job later on. Here is a photo to illustrate this:
A socially challenged youth plays with the cows as they are being let out into the open
Interestingly, the socially and mentally challenged apprenticeships not only generate value for society; they also help to make the Biohof Schüpenfried profitable because their labour is not paid by the farm. In other words: profitability and social good generation all in one – a fundamental characteristic of the social business approach.
Roland Münger and Markus Wüthrich further showed us around the farm shop, which among various sorts of organic produce also sells meat and grain locally produced at the farm:
Comments
What a great introduction to our workshop! Thanks Roland and Markus and thanks to the Biohof Schüpfenried for hosting us. After our tour of the farm, we went back inside, ready to absorb, learn and discuss more about how social entrepreneurship can contribute to market system development in agriculture …
