Hof Fiefhaus: 24-hour service in Neuenkirchen

The whole family pitches in

Three generations live on the farm, and each contributes something to ‘Hof Fiefhaus’. ‘The boss and Dad’, as Anke Fiefhaus puts it, is Bernhard Fiefhaus. Together with his wife, their two daughters and Grandma Fiefhaus, he looks after the animals, the flower field and everything else that goes with it. “The quality of our produce is a matter close to our hearts,” emphasises Anke Fiefhaus. It’s a conviction that has developed over time: “Five years ago, we gave up conventional pig farming. The prices were too low, the stress too great, the regulations too strict.” Instead, the family decided to rear Bunte Bentheimer landrace pigs, which now live on the idyllic farm in the Steinfurt district.

After slaughter and processing by “our trusted butcher”, as Anke Fiefhaus puts it, there’s a “farm-gate meat sale” roughly every four months: this means no pre-orders and only whilst stocks last. And it’s going really well – not least because they use a variety of channels to reach potential customers: “As well as advertising on social media and, of course, in the newspaper, we offer a WhatsApp newsletter that reminds customers of the sale date in good time.”

Agriculture at your fingertips

Very often, the family is asked why they have not converted their farm to organic farming under the organic label. "We all grew up with the chickens and pigs, they only get regional animal feed, no soya from overseas. For us, it is important that we act according to our best conscience and not according to regulations. We offer hands-on farming: Anyone who wants to see for themselves how our animals are kept can simply drop by or make an appointment over the phone," Bernhard Fiefhaus explains.

The farm is a typical part-time farm: Anke Fiefhaus is currently doing an apprenticeship in Hörstel, Bernhard Fiefhaus is also working full-time and the younger daughter is studying in Dortmund. Only Mama Fiefhaus is on the farm around the clock, there are no other employees. "We are well employed here every day - out of conviction and passion," emphasises Anke Fiefhaus.