Once upon a time, there was a small farm in Noflen...

Read here about how our farm has developed and where our milestones lie...

Many of these topics were of considerable public interest. You can find more information on each topic in our media review.

Media review

Chrömeli - that's what our farm is called.

The name likely derives from the old word "Chrume" (meaning crooked or curved). The farm was apparently originally just a (sheep) shed – a sheepfold.

The current farmhouse was built around 1900 by our ancestors, who were carpenters.

were built. There are three houses in our area that were originally built identically.

Our farm would not be what it is today if our ancestors had not constantly worked on improvements.

For example, around 1900 cheesecloths were woven for export to America.

This income was used to partially purchase forest or land.

However, the more detailed story is much easier to tell:

1969

Hans and Käthe Hänni-Liechti took over the dairy farm at a young age after Hans's father died from injuries sustained in an accident involving working horses. The trained farmer and the skilled gardener converted the farm to organic farming methods with the help of the French organization "Lemaire Boucher." At that time, the organic label "Bud" didn't yet exist...

1970

Initial experiments with no-till farming through shallow cultivating, removing the sod, etc. A foundation stone, laid by father Hans Hänni, for our later cultivation system in 2013. After a few years, the plow has to be used again, as the technology is still not sufficiently developed.

1972

The first permanent greenhouse is built. It comes from a disused nursery in Zurich and is still standing today! Built by Father Hans himself.

1978

Bernhard Hänni (today's operations manager) was born as the fourth child in the family.

1984

The first market stall will be set up in Thun at Länggasse 6, and vegetables will be sold there once a week! This initiative came from the Thun Consumer Forum. Many thanks!

1988

Abandonment of pig farming. Installation of a cold storage room, basement under the storage rooms for storing potatoes, etc.

early 1990s

Finally, thanks to our initiative, our milk can be processed into organic dairy products at the Noflen village dairy. These products increase added value and are very popular with customers at the market.

1994

Bernhard begins his agricultural apprenticeship on organic and conventional farms in Oberwil near Büren and Gysenstein.

1996

The market is being expanded. From now on, we will be going to Länggasse on Tuesdays and to the Thun town hall market on Saturdays.

1997

A milestone: Bernhard completes the year-long school program in the first separately run class to become a "farmer with additional training in organic farming." Afterwards, he undertakes a second apprenticeship as a vegetable gardener on an organic farm and a soilless experimental farm. "Always good to broaden one's horizons..."
Supplementing the herd with Jersey cows. These small, light cows are efficient grass converters and produce more nutritious milk.

1999

Bernhard joins the company. Now the business is run as a multi-generational partnership.
Abandonment of dairy farming and specialization in vegetable and arable farming.
Construction of a composting plant, irrigation water storage tank and a greenhouse.
Conversion of the farmhouse has begun. Preparation and processing rooms are being built in place of the former stables.
Last use of copper as a pesticide! Long live the soil!

2000

The completion of the renovations will be celebrated with a garden party.

2001:

The soil will now be fertilized with vegetarian fertilizer. An innovation that only seems to have caught on in the industry more than 15 years later...

2003:

Bernhard completes his training as a federally certified master vegetable gardener with flying colors.
First use of EM (effective microorganisms) on the farm.

2005:

Wedding of Iris von Niederhäusern (gardener) and Bernhard Hänni
Construction of the new laying hen barn for a maximum of 450 laying hens.

2006:

Birth of daughter Lorena.

2007:

The venerable old Bührer tractors are being replaced by modern Fendt tractors. We now run on biodiesel made from recycled vegetable cooking fats.

2008:

On the last day of November, Käthi Hänni died of heart failure. The outpouring of sympathy from our customers was immense. Käthi was the face of our farm and a fixture at every market day. A true "market woman" through and through. Countless stories – funny, comical, tragic, personal, embarrassing, and some best left unsaid – can now be relived in your memory. Perhaps you too?
Two days after Käthi's death, a storm swept across our yard. A cherry tree, from which Käthi always picked ivy to make grave decorations, was uprooted. A greenhouse stood in the storm's path and was completely destroyed.

2009

Iris and Bernhard are taking over the business in the fifth generation.
Purchase of a modern market trailer and a truck to meet the logistical challenges of everyday market driving.
The greenhouse, built in 1999, collapses under the weight of wet snow.

2010

The new greenhouse will be put into operation exactly six months after the collapse. This was an enormous undertaking in our first year as independent farmers; logistically, financially, and emotionally.
Opening of the organic city farm shop at Schulhausstrasse 10 in Thun (opposite the main train station) as a complement to the market days, which now take place at Aarefeldplatz.

2011

We have discontinued our market days and are concentrating on our retail store. We are now available for our customers in the city from Tuesday to Saturday.
Planting of over 40 standard fruit trees. In total, there are now over 100 standard trees. This marks the start of permaculture on our farm.

2012

The planting machine we developed and built will be presented to a specialist audience at the ÖGA in Koppigen. It will then be presented in Bologna (Italy).
Relocation: The organic city farm shop will open on December 6, 2012 at its current location at Talackerstrasse 53 in Thun.

2013

Nationwide rollout of our no-till farming system!
The "Gourmet Subscription" is born. In the city of Thun, a bicycle courier now delivers a bag brimming with fresh vegetables to our subscription customers every week.

2014

Awarded the Innovation Prize of the Gantrisch Nature Park

2015

National honor: Bio-Suisse has awarded us the "Grand Prix Bio-Suisse 2015" for our cultivation system. This prestigious prize obligates us to continue pursuing innovation! We are happy to do so...
Our subscription bags will now also be distributed regionally via the postal service.

2016

Construction of compost boxes for improved production of EM compost.

2017

Guided tours for domestic and international delegations of experts and introduction to our cultivation system (from Germany, Japan and Switzerland)
Planting butterfly-friendly plants under the standard trees
Construction and expansion of the chicken coop and conversion to soy-free feeding of the laying hens.
New shop fittings for the organic farm shop for its 5th anniversary in December! It's more organized and appealing for customers, more practical for us, and now includes a coffee and tea corner. "Really cozy!"

2018

Conversion of the existing storage cellar into a cold storage facility. Simultaneously, the refrigeration equipment (1988) in the existing cold storage room on the upper floor is being replaced and will be supplied by a new, efficient central chiller. We can now recover the waste heat generated for hot water production. Furthermore, installing the cold storage room in the basement will result in significant energy savings, as this is naturally a consistently cool space.
Introduction of male chick rearing. This means we are no longer responsible for the industry-standard practice of shredding male chicks on their first day of life. A good feeling!
Planting additional standard trees such as apples, sweet chestnuts, walnut trees on the farm, as well as wild shrubs and trees in our own forest to enhance the ecosystem.
During the exceptionally dry summer of 2018, our cultivation system impressively demonstrated what resource efficiency means. Most crops did not require irrigation!

2019

At the end of April, we'll be celebrating 50 years of organic farming at HÄNNI NOFLEN with a big farm festival! We'll thank our loyal customers with a humorous performance by "Kliby and Caroline" – pure fun and, for many visitors, a whole new set of childhood memories! To honor the older generation and their courageous switch to organic farming, we'll present Hans Hänni with a voucher for a new beehive. It will be built next year... Thank you so much!

For the EM-Switzerland association, we conduct the EM Agriculture Day twice a year, showcasing our cultivation system and the applications of EM effective microorganisms throughout the entire operation to interested farmers from all over Switzerland.
With 50 years of organic farming experience, we confidently step into the future and contribute to the transformation of agricultural policy as a "best practice example." We publicly support the "Clean Drinking Water Initiative" and provide information on pesticide-free cultivation. The news programs on SRF and RSI have featured our agroforestry system in a segment titled "Saving the Climate with Agroforestry."

2020

Construction of the beehives (in gratitude to father Hans Hänni for 50 years of organic farming). Instead of one house, there are now 4 small and open units distributed throughout the ecosystem.
Construction of a new packing line for subscription bags and connection to the webshop
Abandoning egg production for ethical reasons

2021

From now on, we will market all our products exclusively under our own label, "Organic with Heart and Mind." Of course, the farm remains certified according to Bio Suisse guidelines under CH-Bio 006. We are leaving the Bio Suisse association because Bio Suisse no longer represents its core values and, among other things, opposes the initiative for clean drinking water.
On August 18th, our father and organic pioneer Hans Hänni (23.2.1943-18.8.2021) died on one of his beloved mountain tours.

2022

In June, we will have the opportunity to appear on the television program "Schweiz aktuell" in a wonderfully blooming setting, where we will be interviewed. The program will report, among other things, on our withdrawal from Bio-Suisse last year.
Shortly afterwards, a severe hailstorm swept across our farm, leaving our outdoor crops and greenhouse roofs completely destroyed. A devastating setback that we had to cope with both emotionally and financially.

2023

The 6th generation begins its training: Lorena is training to become a certified organic vegetable gardener (EFZ).
Installation of a young plant compartment in an existing tunnel and insulation of the foundation.

2024

Demolition of the old tunnels and the young plant house, which were destroyed by hail in 2002.
Switching to peat-free seedlings! This also requires a new planting machine and tractor.
Construction of the large greenhouse will begin in autumn.

2025

The first crops can be cultivated on the new greenhouse area.
After a year of construction, the new greenhouse is now available. From now on, we can shade crops as needed and keep the area frost-free in winter using a wood pellet heating system. This allows for a year-round supply of fresh salads and vegetables.

"Our actions today are the stories of tomorrow."

That's why we'll continue writing here.

Stay curious!