Suche
Mein Konto
After losing a brother: Lena Bernhard starts a new path in agriculture
The Bernhard family in Stegemannshof is coping with the loss and strengthening their agricultural business in the Uckermark.
After losing a brother: Lena Bernhard starts a new path in agriculture
In a small town in the Prenzlau area, more precisely in Stegemannshof, the Bernhard family tells a touching story about loss and new beginnings. After the tragic death of her brother Karl-Friedrich in October 2022, young Lena Bernhard made a groundbreaking decision. Instead of continuing her initial pharmacy studies, she is now devoting herself to agriculture in Neubrandenburg. She draws not only personal motivation from her fate, but also a deeply rooted family tradition.
The Bernhard family runs their farm with dedication and passion. Around four hectares of strawberries are grown on the family business, which is run with commitment and love for agricultural tasks. About 80% of these fruits are harvested by self-pickers, which not only reduces the workload but also creates a special connection with customers.
A new way in agriculture
Lena, who enjoys science and is quickly familiarizing herself with her new field of study, is even taking on tutorials in chemistry. Her bachelor's degree in agricultural economics is due in a year and a half, and she is already actively integrated into the family business. Despite the challenges the family faces, such as the high summer temperatures that endanger strawberry cultivation, the family is optimistic about the future.
The day-to-day concerns of a family running a farm are complex. There is no single definition of family farming, yet they are the backbone of many rural communities. According to Eurostat, farms are defined as those where at least 50% of the workforce comes from within the family, and that is the case with the Bernhards. Such businesses not only secure livelihoods, but are often generational and passed down within the family. Agricultural areas highlights that in the EU over 93% of farms are run by managers and family members. Despite the decline of traditional family businesses in Germany - by around 80% since the 1940s in West Germany - the Bernhard family remains a shining example of the continued relevance of this traditional structure.
Daily challenges and future plans
The challenges are not just climatic. In order to optimally market the harvest, the family regularly informs its customers on the website and plans to improve its communication strategies through social media. Christian Bernhard's mother actively supports the family by dealing with telephone inquiries and also ensuring their physical well-being.
Family solidarity is not only an emotional anchor, but also the key to breaking new ground in agriculture. Despite the sadness for Karl-Friedrich, the Bernhards emphasize the importance of community and belief in a positive future. Around a ton of strawberries leave their farm every day, despite the challenges posed by the weather and market conditions. Destatis points out that the company headquarters is considered a central element of the agricultural units, which also benefits the Bernhards, because the organization of processes and resources is crucial.
The Bernhards look to the future full of determination and hope and continue to be the epitome of family farming in the Uckermark. Through new ideas and fresh approaches, the family is convinced that they can meet the challenges and make a sustainable contribution to agriculture in the long term.