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Ice Flower Season at Michaelshof
– A Winter Delight
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Various shades of white contrast with sky blue, dark accents, delicate structures, and carpets of ice flowers in cool colors. Such refinement can only inspire awe! First, we invite you to take a stroll through our winter gallery in January – and we hope this won’t be the last time we get to enjoy this unique sight this winter!
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When nature sleeps and icy cold sets in, frost begins its delicate work. Overnight, it covers our gardens with a magical veil of ice crystals. A true masterpiece that puts an end to the gray monotony of dreary winter days as if by magic – and sometimes disappears as quickly as it came. As if celebrating something, the forest now wears a shimmering white robe, reflecting the light of the winter sun.
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The garden appears as a vast web of delicate branches covered in frost, reaching bizarrely into the bright blue sky.
Bushes transformed into white ice sculptures line the path, and the silent, withered witnesses of summer experience a second spring in their icy floral attire. Even our deeply rooted garden elders at Sammatz have donned an icy shell, revealing their true character. The birch carries a softly flowing crystalline veil, while oak and beech are wrapped in a voluminous ice coat.
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The evergreen meadow has also been given a glittering cover by the frost. With every step, the grass crunches and cracks beneath our feet – a sound that only winter can produce.
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Even water must bow to the power of frost.
Slowly, it freezes from the edges, forming a translucent ice sheet, leaving only a small breathing space in the middle of our lake.
And even though nature is silent in winter, the chatter of our ducks in the campus garden never stops. Around the pond, lively discussions take place before they take off in low flight over the water.
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The cypresses stand in amazement, waiting like silent white sentinels for visitors – perhaps for spring, whose arrival is already whispered about. And although the great tit and its feathered friends still get cold feet while sunbathing, some are already singing hopeful songs, heralding nature’s awakening.
A cup of tea would be the perfect ending to this walk, but as it is, our café is also taking its winter break. However, our farm shop is open, offering fine herbal teas – the essence of summer, ready to take home. A lovely preview of what’s to come and a warm little moment in frosty times.
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Michaelshof at the Green Week
A Small Recap from Berlin
If you follow us on Instagram, you surely saw that we were at the Green Week in Berlin in mid-January with our Michaelshof exhibition stand. We were delighted to be invited as representatives of the Elbe-Wendland region to this exciting fair.
Colorful images, soothing oils, informative flyers, and two enthusiastic teams – Anna & Felix and Malte & Christian – who passionately shared our community’s vision with as many people as possible. And: there were an incredible number of visitors! The audience at Green Week was as diverse and colorful as our own community, allowing us to cover a wide range of topics.
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A particular highlight was our production areas, especially our popular body oils from the Eichenhof cosmetics manufactory, which were a big hit among visitors. Speaking of indulgence: our cheese platter – featuring our classic farm cheese and Italian herb cheese, both made from cow’s milk – was a crowd-pleaser for all ages. Visitors were thrilled by the fact that everything comes directly from our farm: from medicinal plants to milk to the final piece of cheese – all in one place! Through stories of the forest lake, the ark farm, the tulip bloom in spring, and more, we managed to inspire some guests to consider a holiday in Wendland in 2025.
Our favorite conversations were those where we could share (almost) everything about what Michaelshof does and what drives us.
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For us, Green Week was all about the motto: „Our agriculture needs new ways of life!“
It speaks of a vision where the agriculture of the future not only needs a strong network but also more people beyond the nuclear family to make organic farming a shared goal.
We are grateful to everyone who was inspired by our ideas and left the fair with a suitcase full of inspiration and new perspectives.
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A big thank you to the organizers of our stand in the Niedersachsenhalle, BVNON, and the Samtgemeinde. The friendly collaboration at our shared Elbe-Wendland stand was truly a pleasure!
Looking for a vacation destination in Germany in 2025? – Then head to Wendland!
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Brigid-Fest on February 1st
Light, Life, and the Beginning of the New Plant Year
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On February 1st, we celebrate the Midwinter Festival, also known as Gramselfest or Brigid Festival. Its origins lie in Celtic traditions, where the goddess Brigid was worshipped – one of the most significant figures in Irish mythology. Brigid symbolizes the power of the plant world, the fertility of animals, light, and creative inspiration.
The first day of February was once celebrated as a turning point, as the beginning of lambing among sheep was seen as a sign of renewed fertility. Even today, the festival represents a transition – from the cold of winter to the quiet awakening of nature. Everything still lies hidden beneath the earth, but the first signs of life are stirring, even emerging into the light in the form of early winter aconites, snowdrops, and crocuses.
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The Midwinter Festival reminds us that the foundation for the coming spring is laid in the stillness of winter – a time of change and new beginnings. Just as nature gathers all its strength in this period to prepare for spring, we too can immerse ourselves in the special Brigid mood by consciously shaping our thoughts.
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This time invites us to have clear thoughts – supported by the crisp, fresh winter air that helps sharpen our mental focus.
Those who pay close attention can feel how our thinking becomes clearer and more focused during this season.
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Thoughts that otherwise creep in like unwanted parasites – constantly distracting us from what truly matters–have a harder time now, as the barren frost of the earth naturally sharpens our concentration. Pay attention – you’ll notice the difference when you compare it to your summer thinking.
Is there perhaps a connection between these intangible, parasitic thoughts and the natural parasites that so often harm our crops, ornamental plants, gardens, and agriculture in summer? The intricate relationships between humans and nature still hold a vast field of future research.
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Tiny House Update
Come with us to our busy construction site…
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Long awaited, finally here – the first eight of our fifteen tiny houses now stand on our property at the edge of the village, already blending into the landscape as our (land) construction teams work tirelessly. The Landbauteam is taking care of the necessary infrastructure, supplying the houses with electricity, hot water, and wastewater systems. Meanwhile, the construction team is working in six different groups on various tasks–hammering, drilling, painting, pulling cables, and laying pipes.
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If you visit the site from Monday to Friday, you’ll find a bustling and lively atmosphere: everywhere you look, someone is working. No matter which of the eight tiny houses you enter, you’re likely to find someone inside or around the facade.
It’s a really cool project with cool building materials! For this new construction site, we’re using some materials that are entirely new to us, and we’re excited to see the final result. Instead of our usual drywall construction, we are using straw panels with a layer of clay, and the roofs will be green and natural – with a green roof.
We are eager to see how quickly we can complete the houses with our international team and look forward to the next few months of construction!
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Watch Out, Here We Come!
The New Wood Service from Michaelshof
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Owning your own wood is a huge advantage, but chopping it down is quite a challenge. If you don’t feel like tackling your tree trunks on your own, simply call our wood service for help. Whether at the edge of the forest or directly on your property: our team will come with a crane, chipping machine, wood splitter, and logging tractor to saw, chop, and chip your logs into exactly the size, quantity, and condition you need for your fireplace.
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What we offer:
- Firewood pieces between 25 and 50 cm in length
- High-quality wood chips for various purposes
- Flexible location of service
- More affordable than pre-cut firewood
Sounds like a good plan? We’re happy to provide a non-binding offer. Call us at 05858 97030 or email us at info@sammatz.de
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Event Calendar 2025
Save the Dates…
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Last month, we gave you a sneak peek at the first events of the year. Today, we present the full Michaelshof event calendar for 2025! As always, there is something for everyone – whether it’s nature excursions, fascinating insights into our production areas, discussion rounds and „time to talk“ about God and the world, our musical Open Stages, or the always popular themed festivals.
So: mark your favorite events on your calendar now. Very soon, you’ll be able to register for our events online!
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Sat, March 8th – 19.00
Time to talk No. 1: Powerful Words for International Women’s Day
What does it mean to be a woman? Each of us has our own experiences–in work and in private life. And there is still much to discuss: gender equality and the difference between wish and reality, confidence in oneself and one’s abilities, gender roles, and stereotypes from the past and today.
What moves you? What do you want to share? On this day, you can put everything on the table – where, by the way, snacks and drinks will be waiting for you. There are no thematic taboos, just optimal freedom.
Participation is free, donations welcome, registration requested!
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Sat, March 15th – 10.00-15.00
Behind the Scenes No. 1: Cheesemaking with Lea
We love making products ourselves. Would you like to take a look behind the scenes of cheesemaking and even try it yourself? In the dairy, our cheese expert Lea will show you how sheep’s, goat’s, and cow’s milk is transformed into specialty cheeses with great skill and patience.
After processing, the cheese goes straight into the well-tempered cellar, where different varieties are left to mature in peace. You can see this for yourself and even take home a small selection if you’d like.
Participation: adults 40€, kids 20€
Small cheese package to take home: 10€, shared lunch 10€
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Sat, March 22nd – 14.00-18.00
Simply Anthroposophical No. 1: Rudolf Steiner
Anthroposophists – aren’t they the ones who dance their names in Waldorf schools? Well, there’s some truth to that. But they do much more. What is anthroposophy really based on?
We would love to introduce you to what anthro-knowledge is all about. To start, we’d like to introduce you to Rudolf Steiner, the man behind it all. Who was he? A visionary or a storyteller? That is a question each must answer for themselves – we will provide insights in our discussion forum and are happy to answer your questions.
Participation: €20, registration requested!
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Sat & Sun, March 29 & 30th – 12.00-22.00
Michaelshof Celebrates its 40th Anniversary!
At the end of March 1985, Michaelshof was founded in the small village of Sammatz in northeastern Lower Saxony – with the vision of creating a vibrant cultural place in the countryside, where people and nature live in harmony. Today, 40 years later, this vision has become a reality. In addition to numerous production areas, our Demeter agriculture with its diverse production sectors, the Peronnik children & youth home, 6 hectares of gardens, the farm shop, and the café at Michaelshof have emerged –along with much more. What started as a group of friends with big plans has grown into a community that welcomes nearly 400 people in the summer–and is full of ideas for the future. 😊
We want to celebrate this with you! Look forward to an exhibition on the history of our community, garden tours with insights into their development, bread baking with Jakob, or learning with Claudia about what can be made from lavender, calendula & more in our medicinal plant workshop. Additionally, there will be inspiring speeches, exciting insights into our community experience, and an evening together with music, delicious food, and a vibrant atmosphere.
– The exact program will be announced soon –
Just drop by! We look forward to seeing you! 🎉
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Michaelshof up to date – all opening hours at a glance!
Arche-Hof:
Mon-Sun 09.00 – 19.00
Café:
Our café is closed until March 14.
Hofladen:
Mon-Sat 10.00 – 19.00
Sun & holidays 10.00 – 19.00
Der WAGEN in Lüneburg:
Wed & Sat 07.00 – 13.00
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Welcome our Natural Skincare!
Your skin speaks for itself…
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An icy cold wind sweeps over me, and just as I get used to it, dry heated air hits me. In some places, I have small cracks, and my youthful freshness is gone. Who am I? Your skin. Always there for you. Your shield and your largest organ. And sometimes, a little in need of care.
I protect you from all sorts of environmental influences and regulate your temperature. I’m always up for hours of stroking and gladly pass on the feeling of well-being to you. Just as much as painful warning signs that prevent you from greater damage. I never rest and therefore appreciate a little energy boost, for example, in the form of a massage with the skincare oils from Michaelshof. There is a suitable oil for each of my needs, and so that you make the right choice for me, I want to explain which oil I need and when.
Calendula-Oil simply does me good. I regenerate faster and look fresh and well-rested again. Birch-Oil is a true rejuvenation treatment. Muscles and joints also appreciate this warming oil, which makes everything wonderfully supple.
I also value a good diet with vitamins A and C because, even if I can’t turn back time, I appear smoother and more even. If I had one wish, it would be a treatment with Wild Rose Oil.
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Arnica Oil is perfect for strained muscles and joints. It is rich in anti-inflammatory substances and quickly eliminates bruises. But what about sprains and contusions? Heat is the best medicine in my opinion, and a gentle massage with St. John’s Worth Oil is a great idea.
Sometimes, despite my best efforts, I can’t keep a flu virus away from you. Then I need a little support, for example, with Mallow Oil, which not only helps ward off infections but also recover from them.
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Tensions can also be relieved. A Lavender Oil Cure relaxes and is pure vacation for all the senses. If you give me a little lavender oil before bed, I will spread a delicate scent all night long and create a dreamy atmosphere in your bedroom. The next day can come, and if you need courage or special strength – perhaps because you are expecting a baby – Rosen-Öl is the right choice. Smells wonderful, soothes, and dissolves fears into fragrance.
Revive body and soul – oils are good for your skin!
Got into oils? Then check out our online shop now and bring real feel-good moments home! Click here!
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Of course, you know Gabi! Attentive followers of the Instagram channel “Samveggies – Farming with Gabi” regularly tune in for her tips & tricks about vegetables. This spirited young woman from Brazil, with her curly mane, charming Portuguese accent, and unmistakably hearty laugh, shares updates from our vegetable field the way others report from the runway.
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Except, in this case, it’s not about the latest fashion trends but rather about our crisp, attractive Demeter bell peppers, vivid red Ruthje tomatoes, or outrageously good-looking strawberries.
When Gabi presents her vegetables, you immediately catch her enthusiasm for biodynamically grown produce from the Sammatz vegetable fields.
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But let’s start from the beginning: In February 2021, she signed up as a volunteer for three weeks – and since then, she has fallen in love with the place and its people more and more. Gabi explored many areas of Michaelshof, diving into different aspects of community life. With her curiosity for everything, she got firsthand experience in various fields – from gardening and agriculture to the kitchen, construction sites, the farm shop, and the café. One day, her friend Lilianne asked if she’d like to help out in the vegetable fields over the summer – weeding in the morning and joining the harvest later on. That summer, Gabi discovered her passion for growing vegetables, and ever since, she has been devoted to the fields with all her heart and soul. More love and commitment? Hardly possible! But that’s just Gabi. When this Brazilian from São Paulo finds something meaningful, she goes all in. Just like when she discovered tennis as a little girl. At 13, she left home all alone, without her family, and moved to Belgium to train at an internationally renowned tennis academy. She quickly became a promising junior talent, competing successfully in international tournaments across Europe – until she eventually left tennis behind and, after traveling the world, found her way to our international community.
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Now, at Michaelshof, she plants seeds and young plants with the same dedication, weeds, waters, and quite literally watches her “plant babies” grow. When help is needed, she gladly jumps in – whether with the farm team, in the foodtruck, or grilling at our farm animal festivals. She loves action and movement. Gabi loves goats and sheep just as much as people, is always up for a laugh, never shies away from any task, and simply gets things done!
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What keeps Gabi at Michaelshof? The deep, genuine interest people here have in one another – something she had never experienced before. The human connections. The realization that there’s something greater than just individual ambitions. The ideal of community, where people grow with and through one another. And where mistakes are allowed: “They don’t judge me!” she says. Nice!
We love it!
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By the way, Gabi doesn’t know a single German grammar rule and has never taken a German course. When she arrived, she communicated with hand gestures and facial expressions. Now, she speaks fluent German. How does she do it? Probably the same way she does with plants – she just goes with the flow…
Thank you, Gabi, for your unique spirit, your radiant energy, your warmth, and your immense passion for what nourishes us: delicious Michaelshof vegetables!
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Want to taste her winter vegetables for yourself?
Then order a veggie box from our online shop and have it conveniently delivered to your home – available in 5kg or 7kg sizes.
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Volunteer Stories…
…from 2024!
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Sometimes, even we find it surreal how international our community has become since 2016. Every year, this allows us to meet so many amazing people from different backgrounds. Last year, an incredible 625 volunteers from 68 countries enriched Michaelshof with their dedication, joy, and unique stories. Here are three of them:
Elhadji from Senegal:Hadji is studying agriculture in his home country and came to Michaelshof with a clear goal as a volunteer: to learn about biodynamic farming and absorb as much knowledge as possible. And that’s exactly what he did! With Marc (head of agriculture) as his mentor, and spending most of his time in the gardens, stables, and vegetable fields, Hadji fully immersed himself in the topic – carefully taking notes on everything he learned.
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One of the highlights of his volunteer experience at Michaelshof was sharing stories about his home country, the challenges, and successes of farming in Senegal during the Volunteer Festival in August – including his future plans for his own piece of land.
Wishing you all the best, Hadji!
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Laura from Colombia:
This power woman from Bogotá is studying political science & international relations – and always thought of herself as an absolute city girl. But after just one week at Michaelshof, she realized: she is just as much of a country girl, with a deep love for nature, plants, and animals.
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Laura was fascinated by how open and honest one can be in a community – and how much of a positive impact it has on individuals when they can show up as their true selves.
Our social butterfly is now back in Colombia, returning to her studies with fresh ideas and ideals for international cooperation.
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Carlo from Méxiko:
We’ve known Carlo since 2022, and at this point, we can’t imagine a year without him! When he first arrived, he didn’t just connect with other volunteers – he became friends with many members of our community. Carlo quickly became part of the Landbauteam, where everything revolves around digging, shoveling, compacting, and moving heavy loads – in short, hard physical work! Ever since, he’s been coming back every semester break, and as soon as he arrives, it’s as if he never left. Carlo is currently studying mechanical engineering in Mexico – and is already looking forward to holding his degree in hand. His first stop after graduation? Sammatz.
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We could tell so many more stories like these! Sometimes, the paths of our volunteers unfold quietly, and years later, we hear what they have accomplished in the meantime – the highs and lows they have experienced. Others stay in touch constantly. But one thing is certain: the volunteers who leave Sammatz carry countless forward-thinking ideas into the world. And that’s what excites us the most!
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Our 2024 Volunteer Country Gallery:
Algeria 🇩🇿, Argentina 🇦🇷, Azerbaijan 🇦🇿, Aruba 🇦🇼, Australia 🇦🇺, Austria 🇦🇹, Bangladesh 🇧🇩, Belgium 🇧🇪, Belarus 🇧🇾, Brasil 🇧🇷, Bulgaria 🇧🇬, Canada 🇨🇦, Chile 🇨🇱, China 🇨🇳, Colombia 🇨🇴, Costa Rica 🇨🇷, Kroatia 🇭🇷, Cuba 🇨🇺, Germany 🇩🇪, Denmark 🇩🇰, El Salvador 🇸🇻, Ecuador 🇪🇨, Egypt 🇪🇬, England 🏴, France 🇫🇷, Georgia 🇬🇪, Greece 🇬🇷, Guatemala 🇬🇹, Honduras 🇭🇳, Hong Kong 🇭🇰, India 🇮🇳, Iran 🇮🇷, Ireland 🇮🇪, Israel 🇮🇱, Italy 🇮🇹, Japan 🇯🇵, Jordan 🇯🇴, Kenia 🇰🇪, Latvia 🇱🇻, Malawi 🇲🇼, Marocco 🇲🇦, México 🇲🇽, Netherlands 🇳🇱, Norway 🇳🇴, Pakistan 🇵🇰, Palestine 🇵🇸, Peru 🇵🇪, Poland 🇵🇱, Portugal 🇵🇹, Rumania 🇷🇴, Scotland 🏴, Czech Republic 🇨🇿, Senegal 🇸🇳, Sweden 🇸🇪, Spain 🇪🇸, South Africa 🇿🇦, Taiwan 🇹🇼, Thailand 🇹🇭, Tunesia 🇹🇳, Turkey 🇹🇷, United States 🇺🇸, Wales 🏴, Uganda 🇺🇬, Ukraine 🇺🇦, Hungary 🇭🇺, Uruguay 🇺🇾, Venezuela 🇻🇪, Vietnam 🇻🇳
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We’re looking for professionals & interns in the following areas:
Office:
Hands-On:
- Baker
- Pastry Chef
- Ornamental Plant Gardener
- Tree, Shrub & Lawn Care Gardener
- Construction Worker
- Landbau
- Pharmacist
- Printing & Laminating
Your qualification isn’t listed, but you’re still interested? Go for it! Apply anyway!
Send your application (with a photo) to: claudia.brady@sammatz.de – we’ll get back to you!
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+++ NEWSTICKER +++
Snapshots from community life…
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…with amazing nature moments…
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…two amazing animal dreamteams….
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…anticipation ot the café and pavillon season…
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…and almost spring like vibes…
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Little Reminder for everyone struggling with the long, cold winter:
Soon, you’ll be able to enjoy spring days at Michaelshof in the beautiful surroundings pictured above!
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Warm greetings & see you next time! Andrea, Marina & Anna ❤️
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