It wasn’t a decision based on tradition. In fact, the Thoma family’s resolution in 2014 to buy a farm and run it organically resulted from a simple idea: “We want to know what we are eating, where it comes from and how it was processed,” says new-farmer-on-the-block Philipp Thoma. It therefore seemed obvious to start producing their own food, with the clearest conscience – for themselves, their children Joseph and Lena-Marie, and for the customers who buy organic eggs with the South Tyrolean seal of quality from the Psegghof farm.

Psegghof sits on a steep slope at 1,250 metres above sea level, nestled above Prad/Prato in South Tyrol’s Vinschgau Valley. Its meadows are not especially big and much of the land is forested. No easy location for farming, therefore. Nevertheless, the young family was utterly determined to use these adverse conditions to their advantage. Their 600-strong flock of organic hens love life at the Psegghof. They have plenty of space to run and scratch, sheltered nests for laying eggs, sand for dust baths and high quality organic feed.

And the other animals for whom the Psegghof is home likewise enjoy its secluded position. The woolly Mangalitza pigs thin the woodland, the Jura sheep graze the meadows, the dogs Nemo and Toni keep guard over them. And all this happens in sight of the magnificent view over the valley below.

“It is high time for us to reconsider modern lifestyles, with their often questionable systems and extravagant levels of consumption, to enable our environment to remain healthy,” states Philipp Thoma as he describes his farm’s philosophy. At present, the Psegghof family is 80% self-sufficient. In future, they hope to offer customers more products, such as mayonnaise or egg liqueur made on the farm, in addition to their organic eggs.