Family story: From homelessness to pumpkin harvest at the Rosenhof!

Family story: From homelessness to pumpkin harvest at the Rosenhof!

Maik Flemming and his family from Karlstein have made a name for themselves in recent years through hard work and hardship. Now, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of their “Rosenhof”, they look back proudly on their successes. A pumpkin festival will take place on September 27th and 28th, which not only celebrates Cologne's conviviality, but also takes up the remarkable story of a family that forged their fortune out of necessity. Uckermarkkurier reports on the early days when Maik and his wife Carmen suddenly became homeless after the home they wanted was not available. Daughter Peggy then found a two-hectare plot of land on which the family could realize their project.

The pumpkin harvest is particularly important for the Flemmings. This year they harvested over seven tons of the orange fruits by hand - a true masterpiece. “It means bending, bending, bending,” says Maik, who, despite health problems such as back and spinal disc problems, is still not afraid of physical exertion. Yvonne, one of her employees, admires the elegant handling of the pumpkins and explains how important it is to separate the fruiting bodies with a piece of stem about five centimeters long when harvesting to avoid injuries. “A torn stem can indicate fungal diseases,” she adds as she checks the tasty pumpkins. My Beautiful Garden highlights the care that goes into this harvesting process, which is done by hand and without machines.

A look at the challenges of agriculture

But it’s not just the “Rosenhof” that has to contend with challenges. Many pumpkin farmers in the area are noticing that crop yields are lower this year than in previous years. Weather phenomena such as a very dry spring followed by a rainy summer have left their mark. rbb24 reports that plants froze or dried up due to frost and this also affected the flowers. Last year, the yields in Brandenburg were a whopping 12,500 tons on 450 hectares of cultivated land - a record that has faded into the background this year.

Back to the “Rosenhof”, where the family is working on handing over the managing director position to their son Tom as soon as possible. He has followed his father's footsteps well and plans to continue the family legacy with fresh ideas. Maik and Carmen would like to slow down a little, but the busy days leave little room for relaxation.

Pumpkin festival and other attractions

Another bright spot is the opening of the “Sleeping Beauty Café” and the introduction of a monthly brunch on the first Sunday of the month, which will start in October. These new offers are intended not only to attract visitors to the pumpkin festival, but also to enrich the region.

Overall, the history of the “Rosenhof” reflects the efforts, challenges and successes that shape life in the country. In the end it turns out that it's not just the pumpkins that are very popular, but also the community and the entrepreneurial spirit. Visit the pumpkin festival and support local agriculture - because even small successes are valuable!