Bio-Dynamic Agriculture Celebration at Kass-Haff Set for Sunday

On Sunday 5 May 2024, Kass-Haff will organise its traditional festivities with a "Bio-Second-Hand" and various concerts, artistic performances, foods and more at its premises in Rollingen, between 10:00 and 18:00.

This festivity is a yearly open day granting full access to Kass-Haff, which “more than a farmhouse – a mini village”, a place where children can play, pet the animals, observe, learn farm trades, discover cheese-making, gardening, stroll with family, and organic food products are also available on site. The event organisers at Kass-Haff noted that, due to the number of visitors, parking spaces could not be organised nearby. A free shuttle bus will be available for visitors to and from P&R CFL Lohr (Mersch) and Veräinsbau (Rollingen).

Since starting up in its new location in 2013, Kass-Haff has operated as a community supporting the maintenance of local agriculture. Their reported goal is to create a large community that cares about farming and the planet. It also aims to create a place of transition to resilient, interdependent projects with greater respect for animals, people and the land.

Tom and Anja Kass (the two co-founders of the farm), parents of four children, have developed a playfully educational farm so that “children and adults have a link again with the land and reality”. Visitors of all ages will be able to discover or strengthen their connection with the world of farming, animals, nature, and fellow citizens who are interested in these more resilient and sustainable lifestyles. Kass-Haff is beyond an educational farm, a rural third place open every day of the week to visitors, buyers, curious people, workshop participants, employees, volunteers and more.

Each year, Kass-Haff welcomes approximately 50,000 people: families who come spontaneously on weekends, holidays or free afternoons, customers of Naturata present on the farm, groups school and private groups who come for educational workshops, groups who come for psycho-pedagogical workshops, those for cultural workshops (yoga, dance, psychomotor skills, etc.) and the public for major cultural events held on the farm.

Various volunteers will help prepare the programme while partners will also be present on-site to present their activities, stands and host activities. A few of the partners present last year were: Bio Lëtzebuerg, Bio-Nest, Lilynatur, Naturata, Bio-Champignons vum Knapphaff, BIOG and many more.

Speaking to Chronicle.lu, Tom Kass gave more insight into the farm's values, also touching on its evolution over the years as well as future plans.

Chronicle.lu: What makes this annual event important?

Tom Kass: The 5 May holiday is important to us for many reasons. It's time to celebrate together with the large community that has been created around our farm. It's sort of an opportunity to say “thank you” to everyone who has supported us in the past and who continues to support us. Without this support, we would not be able to continue our work.

We want to show people how we work on our biodynamic farm. On our farm, many things are done in different ways; especially in the area of animal welfare. Our farm is exemplary in many areas. Visitors can discover the taste quality of the dishes offered throughout the day.

Chronicle.lu: How has your farm expanded over the years?

Tom Kass: Our farm has not grown much in size. It is not our goal to constantly grow as many colleagues do. We have grown in the quality of the products and services we offer.

We are one of the main players in educational activities on the farm. The space of the farm with the great diversity of animals that live there, is excellent for coming into contact with people.

The number of people who follow us on social networks and who visit us on the farm has increased significantly because people are interested in seeing the organic alternatives that exist on-site.

Chronicle.lu: How do you ensure sustainable practices?

Tom Kass: For 25 years, we have been working according to Demeter's specifications. Biodynamic agriculture respects animal welfare, ensures the protection of biodiversity and increases the natural fertility of the soil. We have already participated in monitoring twice with the “Regionalwertleistungsrechnung” [Regional value performance calculation] tool. Our farm corresponds 84% to society's expectations in multiple areas such as ecology, social and local economy. The fact that our Kass-Haff Sarl can be called a Social Impact Company (SIS) since June 2023 is further proof of the quality of our services in these areas.

Chronicle.lu: Are there any future plans?

Tom Kass: We want to do what we can to get politicians to recognise that the way we run a farm is truly sustainable. Together with all the people who support us, we want to guarantee the existence of our farm in the future.

We have just launched several new activities last year such as “Haffstiffchen” and our permaculture vegetable gardening. A period of stabilisation of these activities will follow before embarking on new adventures, but we still have plenty of ideas in our heads.