The Wex family: environmental protection through organic nuts and happy chickens!

The Wex family: environmental protection through organic nuts and happy chickens!

In Petershausen, a small town near Dachau, the Wex family decided to start producing regional nuts as a sideline. Your goal is not only to harvest healthy organic nuts, but also to make a contribution to environmental protection. The family relies on sustainable agriculture, which also includes keeping chickens.

The Wex's chicken enclosure is an important part of their concept. Interestingly, there is a stork that visits regularly. Claudia Wex notes that the stork's presence may be related to the availability of food or other reasons. It is also noticeable that since then she has seen fewer birds of prey over her chickens. This harmonious coexistence of animals reflects the philosophy of the Wex, who have a good knack for nature and sustainable practices.

The importance of nuts

Not only are nuts valued as healthy sources of energy, they also pose a number of challenges. The cultivation, harvesting, processing and transport of nuts can have negative impacts on both people and the environment. The season for domestic hazelnuts and walnuts begins in autumn, and the German Nutrition Society recommends consuming around 25 grams of nuts daily.

However, too little attention is often paid to the origin of the nuts. Many nuts are grown under poor working conditions, in particular over 70% of hazelnuts come from Turkey. Organic nuts offer a clear advantage here because they are environmentally friendly and do not require chemical-synthetic pesticides. The transparency regarding origin is also much higher.

Sustainability and nut production

The increasing demand for nuts also has its downsides. The cultivation of almonds, which often come from water-scarce regions such as California, is exacerbating water shortages. Pistachios have similar environmental problems as almonds. Cashew trees, on the other hand, require less water, but have long transport routes for processing to India and Vietnam. Fair trade certifications are particularly important in order to improve the working conditions of the workers.

It is also recommended to choose European walnuts over overseas varieties, such as pecans, as they are far less stressful to process and transport. Brazil nuts, which are collected in nature, even help protect the rainforest and have a positive environmental impact.

Overall, it shows that nut production has many facets and presents both opportunities and challenges. The boom in nut consumption is accompanied by the realization that locally grown, organic nuts are the most sustainable choice.

Whether in your own garden or through local suppliers such as the Wex family in Petershausen - choosing regional nuts not only supports health, but also environmental protection. Together we can make a difference!