Johannes Laurenz prepared his farm for the new asparagus season
"It's a good time to start the season"
The season looks good according to Johannes Laurenz: "We are extremely confident about the new season. It is a good time to start. Certainly, we would like to have started the sales before Easter, however storm Niklas on 31st of March and the low temperatures have prevented that. But asparagus farmers always say that it's never good when the asparagus season is too long. Then demand could drop that at the end of the season. But of course a too short season is not good either."
A AspergeSpin in action: The mechanical harvester is turning the foils
Work efficiently and reduce labour costs
The farmer grows asparagus on approximately 13 hectares. "Up to 25 men harvest, wash, sort and peel our asparagus during the season. On a good days, as much as a ton." To deal with the legally established minimum wage the farm has bought three mechanical asparagus harvesters (Spargel-Spinne or AspergeSpin). "An AspergeSpin replaces approximately 0.8 to 1.2 human harvesters," says the farmer. "An mechanical asparagus harvester costs around 5,000 Euros. We can work more efficiently and reduce labour costs with these machines. They can raise the foil of the asparagus tunnels and they are able to turn the foil." Turning the film prevents the tip of the asparagus from overheating in the asparagus tunnel.
The AspergeSpin carries the harvested asparagus
Regional direct sales
The farm Schulze Blasum produces asparagus as well as strawberries, string beans and sweet corn. Laurenz sells his goods exclusively regionally under its own brand name "Hof Schulze Blasum.” "We sell our crops here on our farm and we have three mobile kiosks. In addition to direct selling the farm sells to traders at regional food markets, regional supermarkets and occasionally to wholesalers." Laurenz, who favours special crops, inherited these marketing structures from the previous farmer.
Johannes Laurenz showing the first asparagus crop with his niece Charlotte and his partner Katharina Kock
A traditional family business
The farm in Werne in the district Unna produces approximately 80 to 90 tons of asparagus in a year. Johannes Laurenz runs the state-certified farm in Werne together with his partner Katharina Kock and his family for three years. Johannes Laurenz: "The farm has been in the family for more than 1,000 years. Until recently, a neighbour leased the farm and the land. When he could not find a successor for his operation, I took over the farm."
Johannes Laurenz
Hof Schulze Blasum
Blasum 1, 59368 Werne
Tel. +49 (0)2389 52260
j.laurenz@hofschulzeblasum.de
www.hofschulzeblasum.de