New path in life: Pharmacist becomes a farmer following her family's fate

New path in life: Pharmacist becomes a farmer following her family's fate

In the picturesque Stegemannshof, a district of Prenzlau, there is touching news from agriculture: The Bernhard family has embarked on a remarkable path after a tragic stroke of fate. In October 2022, Karl-Friedrich, the family's son, had a fatal accident. However, this difficult time also brought with it a new decision that will affect the entire family business. Lena, the deceased's sister, decided to study agricultural economics in Neubrandenburg in order to continue the family tradition and actively help shape the farm. According to Nordkurier, Lena previously completed a pharmacy degree and now finds great joy in natural sciences.

The Bernhard family lives and works on the farm with all their hearts. Strawberries are cultivated on around four hectares on their farm, with around 80% of the harvest being picked by self-pickers. A ton of freshly harvested strawberries leave the farm every day, which shows that the family really does a good business. “It is a real challenge in these high temperatures, which can sometimes end the season prematurely,” they report. The Bernhards also keep an eye on contact with their customers and regularly provide information about harvest times and opening hours on their website.

Challenges and support in the family business

The importance of solidarity is particularly important at this time. While Lena is integrated into her studies and the family business, Christian Bernhard's mother takes over the telephone inquiries and helps out with the household. A real effort for the production of strawberries! In agriculture, family cohesion and commitment are of great importance. In general, the Agrarraum states that family-run businesses ensure that the family's livelihood is secured and that the majority of income comes from agriculture.

The changing face of agriculture cannot be ignored. Did you know that traditional family businesses are in sharp decline in Germany and many other countries? According to Destatis, in 2016 over 90% of agricultural businesses in the EU operated only with the manager and his family members. It is therefore all the more remarkable that the Bernhard family has the courage to face the challenges and continue to run the family home.

A look at the future

The Bernhard family draws strength from this and has hope for a positive future vision for agriculture in the Uckermark. Despite all the difficulties, they are optimistic about the future and are ready to explore new paths. With Lena at her side, the family tradition is not only continued, but also modernized. Social media will be on the agenda in the future to improve communication with customers and keep agriculture alive in the region.

We can't wait to see how the history of the Bernhard family develops and what new paths they will take in agriculture. After all, the Bernhards not only overcame the challenge during the difficult times, but also opened the door to the next generation.