Migrant sheep farm in need: Fundraising campaign saves traditional Remagen business!

Migrant sheep farm in need: Fundraising campaign saves traditional Remagen business!

In Remagen-Bandorf, Johannes Bois' Rheinblick transhumance sheep farm is currently in a precarious situation. The financial situation of his farm is affected by bluetongue and changes in the area premium. Despite these setbacks, he has the tireless support of his partner Vivian Jung and the five loyal dogs who are at his side. The sheep farm carries out grazing work on both the left and right of the Rhine, which ensures sustainable maintenance of the cultural landscape. In order to avert the impending closure, a fundraising campaign was even launched to mobilize people so that the old tradition of transhumance is not lost. Rhein-Zeitung reports that...

But there are bright spots for the industry. In the Swabian Alb biosphere area, intensive efforts are made to promote transhumance and herding sheep. Here it becomes clear that this ancient tradition not only protects the soil, but also contributes to the preservation of biodiversity. Grazing projects promote valuable habitats and biotope networks. A project by the Swabian Alb Biosphere Reserve Association aims to strengthen the added value of wool and meat from sheep farms and to position the products better in the public eye. These valuable raw materials deserve more attention and appreciation so that the shepherds can have a flourishing economic base. To this end, they want to support regional initiatives for the marketing of lamb and sheep meat. The Alb Biosphere Reserve emphasizes that...

Challenges of transhumance

The initiative, which not only involves the shepherds themselves but also the catering industry, shows how closely transhumance is linked to ecological and economic goals. Workshops and seminars on wool quality and waste meat utilization provide valuable information and support for the shepherds. Initiatives for the seasonal marketing of products are intended to help expand the value chains at a regional level.

Unfortunately, the challenges Johannes Bois faces are not unique. Shepherds all over Germany are struggling with similar problems - be it from diseases that threaten the livestock or from economic conditions that have a negative impact. The loss of traditional value creation not only affects the businesses themselves, but also the landscapes that are shaped by sheep farming.

A call for support

Johannes Bois's Rheinblick transhumance sheep farm is a prime example of use in this area. Every small contribution can help keep this valuable tradition alive. “If the sheep farm goes down, we will not only lose a business, but also part of our cultural landscape and history,” says Bois. It is time to stand together and protect transhumance as part of our cultural heritage.