“Between forestry and research, cows and compost, agroforestry and arable farming — this is how we research and develop various forms of multifunctional land use,” is how the Gut&Bösel farm introduces itself. Benedikt, who left his career as an investment banker in 2016 to devote himself to the family business and sustainable farming, has achieved pop status with his farm. It feels like everyone has heard of it, be it through the successful 2023 book “Rebels of the Earth” or the docuseries “Farm Rebellion”, released in the same year. If you want to get to know the Madlitz estate in person, visit the Christmas farm market and sustainable Christmas tree felling on the third Advent (14 & 15.12.2024). What exactly is behind the concept of sustainable Christmas trees? It’s simple: the trees are felled from a height of 1.80 meters. This means the mother trunk is not damaged and can grow back. The process can be repeated after seven years. In addition, they work without harmful soil cultivation or synthetic fertilizers. What else awaits you at Gut&Bösel? Campfire and stick bread for the little visitors, apple punch from their harvest, and mulled wine. The farm kitchen serves homemade mushroom or beef goulash, and the organic neighboring farm Ackerpulco offers local vegetables, but also meat, home-distilled spirits and leather goods from Gut&Bösel. In other words, you can do your Christmas dinner shopping in one spot. In addition to cattle, Gut&Bösel also grows grain — you can purchase freshly baked bread at the farm. The Christmas market is just under an hour from Berlin and the trip is worthwhile because sustainable, multifunctional agriculture affects us all in times of climate change and should not only be understood but experienced. Benedikt and his team understand this, which is why they keep their doors open.
Text: Laura Iriondo / Photos: Gut&Bösel
Gut&Bösel, Schlossstr.32, 15518 Briesen (Mark); map
Merry Madlitz 14. & 15.12.2024
@gutundboesel
