The Färfers’ farm has been in the family since the 17th century. The family doesn’t just share their work, they also divide their holidays up between themselves. There’s more than enough to do. Apart from growing cereals, there are also 220 dairy cows to be taken care of on the farm, which is currently managed by Marc. There are no problems among the members of the family during the daily work on the farm. They all know the routine, which repeats every day, after all. Each generation lives separately, but side by side. Sometimes, you need to keep back and accept changes, “the young generation has its own ideas”, Katharina Färfers explains. Granny Katharina, known affectionately as “Kathrinchen”, still runs her own household and garden at the grand old age of 90. Her late husband, who died in 2004, also worked his whole life long. Eight days off each year was the most that grandpa ever had.
A good team: young and old working together in a family business
They all have different wishes, hopes and aims. Does it result in generation war if young and old not only live together, but also work together? Take a look at the heroes on the cover and you’ll soon be able to answer the question yourself. René Schwerdtel, a photographer from Herchen, Germany, traveled a long way for our 2018 portrait calendar. His photographic journey took him to international family businesses, where young and old work together, share experience with each other and enrich each other and the company with their knowledge. Minor disputes are all part for the course, but aren’t taken home to the dinner table. Let yourself be carried away by the emotional and refreshing stories from the worlds of agriculture, music, craftsmen and much, much more!
