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A modern village impulse…
…for everyone!
Each of you has something that connects you to Michaelshof. The gardens, the animals, the café, the many young people, the playground, the festivals, or the birdsounds in the background during phone calls from Sammatz. But what is the overall concept? What is Michaelshof really about, and what do all the people who are part of the community actually do?
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The idea of Michaelshof: to live out a modern village impulse, in harmony with nature. A village that is also a community – both socially and economically. Our agriculture with vegetable fields, the processing operations, café, farm shop & online shop, the relaxing gardens, the children & youth welfare facility Peronnik, the Selma Lagerlöf School, library & print shop, construction and agriculture teams, IT & technology, and administration – all of this is part of a modern village. These areas ensure supply, generate income, and actively shape the future. Unlike the ‘normal’ village community, which comes together by tradition and chance, and in which everyone works for themselves, over 300 people at Michaelshof gather around a common impulse. They work on the project together every day. That’s not only incredibly fun – no, when many capable people come together in a village, amazing things can happen!
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It all started in 1985, with big ideas, ideals, and creative energy. What once began with six people is now – 40 years later – a large international community. At the heart of the community is the human being and humanity. We consciously create social structures that include everyone – regardless of age, origin, childhood, wallet, or abilities. Inclusion is naturally lived at Michaelshof, because kids who need special attention are not isolated, but grow up right in the middle of the community with the other children of the village. Likewise, single mothers or older people are not left on their own – because friends are right there, at your doorstep or even sharing the same house! Speaking of sharing: our Demeter agriculture concerns everyone here. It is a shared responsibility, the basis of our lives, and the primal production right in the middle of the village. And we all live with and from it – during hay season, wondering if the milk tastes good, when the vegetable patch is threatened by the potato beetle, or when the gardens need our help. Thus, our social life often takes place exactly where help is needed: preserving food, in the garden, in the fields, in the office, or in the medicinal plant lab. Work and life intertwine here in the best possible way.
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For us, work is not just a means to an end, but an important part of life. We build, bake, cook, clean, weed, plant, mix, write, talk, feed, and dig – for the community! Each person where they can best use their given talents. Work brings joy here because it is meaningful and its results are immediately tangible! In the spirit of Confucius: “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” At the same time, we love the balancing act between tradition and modernity! We are passionate advocates of traditional crafts and celebrate annual festivals like Thanksgiving or Easter in a new light. At the same time, we rely on modern technology: in the past ten years, we have developed a sophisticated energy system that allows us to produce, store, and distribute sustainable electricity, hot water, and heat – for all our houses. An exciting balance!
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Also an important part of our life concept: living spirituality. We are guided by anthroposophy as a holistic worldview. What we like about it is that one does not have to believe blindly, but rather, through one’s own thinking, one can grasp spiritual content as a free human being. We see the human being as a miracle of the cosmos, worthy of understanding and respect. And to understand one another, we need friendship. Because: spirituality and life belong together! Much can only be understood once it is spoken out loud. Sometimes, you only realize when telling your friend that the thoughts you had carefully lined up sound rather odd. And precisely that honesty that arises is often already a spiritual moment. That’s true community work.
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Our interest doesn’t stop at the edge of the community – we naturally see ourselves as people of our time and are interested in what happens elsewhere in the world. That’s much easier when you meet world travelers from every continent each year and have real life connections to Senegal or Malawi, to the USA and Mexico, to Israel and Iran, to Ukraine and Russia, and so many other countries. Then the news suddenly becomes alive and behind the countries are real people with feelings, thoughts and dreams, with joy and pain.
And of course, also the people in our regional surroundings. We are happy to welcome visitors of every color and age to the café and garden areas. Young families, singles or couples, senior groups or motorcyclists – all come to visit. Michaelshof is a place for everyone – to drink coffee, stroll through the gardens, pet animals and much more. Just open your soul and enjoy the atmosphere. It’s lovely to see how many of you regularly come to Michaelshof, and we are grateful for all the faces we’ve come to know and appreciate over the years.
This is how we want to be a cultural place in the countryside. “Create places of peace and love, where the Christ can be resurrected,” said Carl Graf von Keyserlingk, the initiator of the 1924 agricultural course held by Rudolf Steiner in Koberwitz. That’s it!
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What do you say about our village? A dream? A paradise? Just roll up your sleeves and don’t settle for conditions that make many people unhappy in the long run. You’re interested in community life? Then come by and breathe some community air! Be aware, living in community also means suffering and work, work, work! But also lots of joy and fun, fulfillment and: no day is boring! How could it be, when the world, nature, and people need us – and you – every single one! Today is what counts, when else?
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Sammatz Apple & Autumn Market
in October
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Let’s be honest – what would autumn be without apples? Our region is a true apple country, and many of the trees here bear old varieties you’ll search for in vain in the supermarket. Maybe you even have one of these treasures in your own garden? Gravenstein, Red Reinette or Prince Albrecht of Prussia – each variety has its own unique taste. Some trees still carry apples, while others are already saying goodbye to summer along with their colorful leaves.
And because apples and autumn go so well together, we invited you on Saturday, October 4th & Sunday, October 5th to our Apple & Autumn Market at Michaelshof!
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Included, as always, was a large apple exhibition with a whopping 160 different apple varieties and our apple expert Urte Delft, who was identifying the variety of your own apple tree when you bring five apples of the same kind.
On our festival grounds in front of the “House of Nature” and the “Youth Hostel” for volunteers, there was plenty more to discover:
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Our fruit & vegetable stand with fresh produce from the Sammatz vegetable fields, woolly & warm products from sheep, preserves & fermented goods, books, decorations, jewelry & more, our children’s juice press where young and old could help press, delicious food from the farm, and as always the musical accompaniment from our combo.
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For kids there was face painting, tin can throwing, apple quiz & animal activities.
If you were already craving an apple-based meal: our festival had fresh-pressed apple juice or hot apple punch, apple cake with whipped cream, plain apples or waffles with applesauce ready for you.
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A truly beautiful autumn festival!
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And…
…a little windfall apple story
Once upon a time, there were three interns from Dresden – Georg, Anton, and Emil – who were about to start the longest mandatory internship we’d ever heard of. So they packed their belongings for seven weeks and came to Michaelshof. As is often the case before internships, their motivation wasn’t exactly sky-high at first – but they had already been to Sammatz and knew: it would turn out fine. They also knew that Anton always had an extra garden team made up of experienced old hands and changing team members, and that the “Garden Special Team” actually handled everything that came up outside of the regular garden teams. That was the team they were excited about! And just like that, they were part of the team.
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From then on, they were practically all day every day involved in Green Village matters and – besides things like compost prepping, watering, plant distribution, checking on the bees and much more – mainly, due to the season, dealing with windfall fruit: apples, pears, peaches, mirabelles. Armed with wheelbarrow, fruit picker, and ladder, the three of them roamed through the village heading for the next ripe tree – (almost) nothing was left hanging.
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We now have about 1,600 kilos of apples from twelve different varieties in our storage – thanks to the boys from Dresden and their seemingly inexhaustible motivation! And even when not super motivated, they were still curious and always had a joke on their lips, regularly throwing not just Anton but many of us off in the best way.
After seven weeks we say: Thank you, guys – it was great with you! All the best in Dresden, and we promise: a few bottles of apple juice will definitely find their way to you once they’re back from pressing.
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Speaking of which: it’s finally back!
The Sammatz Apple Juice 2025
Order it now from our online shop and have it delivered to your home!
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Preserving Interview…
…with Christian
Christian is not only the head chef in our community, making sure that between 200 and 300 hungry people get fed every day between 12:30 and 13:30, but he also firmly manages the preserving kitchen at Michaelshof and ensures that our crunchy vegetables are preserved for the coming months or even years. Today he’s in our newsletter interview… 😊
Anna: Moin Christian! You’ve been in the Michaelshof preserving jar business for many years now. What fascinates you most about preserving?
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Christian: This may sound weird, but that vegetables really become a product when you preserve them – one you can simply enjoy later. It’s a whole different quality than just cooking. We’re essentially carrying the vegetables from summer through winter into spring. It enriches our menu and adds color to the table, at a time when it’s dark outside. And I just enjoy the processes.
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Anna: We’ve mentioned preserving in our newsletter before, but what has changed in recent years?
Christian: The autoclave and the whole preserving room were added, and we definitely have more possibilities than before: pasteurizing, sterilizing, and vacuum sealing – sometimes even in combination.
Anna: Do you also get help processing and packing all the masses of vegetables from our fields into jars?
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Christian: Of course! Volunteers help with chopping in rotating teams, mostly students and interns. It’s also great that I’ve got two really good teammates now with Yohran from Brazil and Jéronimo from Colombia – a bit of South American influence at the preserving counter, so to speak. Yohran helps with all kinds of chutneys and jams, and Jéronimo’s passion for fermenting is a wonderful addition. We try out new things together, and the flavors keep evolving.
Anna: Lastly: what’s your personal favorite preserved product?
Christian: The classic sweet and sour ones: pickles, beetroot – but also applesauce! Simple recipes where the taste from the field or tree really comes through!
Anna: Merci, thanks so much for the talk!
Invitation: If you’re now curious about preserving jars, you’re warmly invited to Christian’s preserving workshop on Saturday, October 11 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. – participation costs €40, lunch €10. Together you’ll learn the most important basics for preserving, tips and tricks, and your first preserving recipes.
Feel free to sign up on our website!
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Current Garden Recommendation…
…the Campus Garden Pond
Especially in this season, it’s simply a cozy spot to linger! With its pink-white Mozart roses along the shore, the cheerful ducks on the water, and the wooden bridge leading to the little apple tree island with its red fruits, the Campus Garden Pond shows its romantic side in autumn. The falling autumn leaves, the tall blooming grasses, and the pleasant farm atmosphere in the background complete the scene.
Tip: In the farm shop, there’s coffee to go – perfect for enjoying on the bench on the island.
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On a mission for the birds…
…with Carlos & Tomás
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Maybe you already know our small bird aviary, where our feathered monk parakeets bustle about and eagerly build their nests? Surrounded by exotic plants, always fresh branches, and delicious food, they’re living quite comfortably. Under Klara’s loving supervision, Carlos and a rotating team of volunteers take care of their well-being.
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Carlos (right), a biologist from Colombia, is not only committed to the birds in our aviary, but also to the native birdlife in and around Sammatz. Together with Tomás (left) from Argentina, he has been on a tour over the past few weeks to clean each of our 60 birdhouses. We hope these will help many birds get through the winter well. And it’s not just birds who are welcome: our 4 freshly cleaned bat boxes are also looking forward to new inhabitants.
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Michaelshof up to date – all opening hours at a glance!
Arche-Hof:
Mon-Sun 09.00 – 19.00
Café:
Mon-Fri 08.00 – 18.00
Sat 08.00 – 18.00
Sun & holidays 09.30 – 18.00
Farm Shop:
Weekdays, Sun & holidays
daily. 10.00 – 19.00
Der WAGEN in Lüneburg:
Wed & Sat 07.00 – 13.00
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Sat, Oct 11 – 11 AM–5 PM
Insight No. 5: Getting into Preserving with Christian
You’ll never have to do without your favorite vegetables – thanks to the preserving jar. Christian swears by this gentle method of extending the shelf life of fruits and vegetables and will happily share the secrets of the preserving craft. You’ll create your own culinary long-lasting favorites under expert guidance. Start by selecting your favorite vegetables right from our field and finish the seminar with your own jarred delights. A small shared snack afterward will give you a taste of the flavor variety you’ll take home in airtight jars.
Participation: €40, Lunch: €10, Registration requested!
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Sat, Oct 18 – 3:30–6 PM
Talk Time No. 4: Finding Hope Again and Again
Admittedly: not losing hope is often hard depending on your life situation. Yet we need it, as it’s the force that keeps us alive, motivates us, and lets us look to the future with confidence. Rudolf Steiner fully recognized hope as an elixir of life. Together with you, we want to reflect on how we can counter resignation and where hope can always be drawn from. We look forward to exchanging experiences with you and awakening positive energy.
Participation: €20, Registration requested!
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Sat, Oct 25 – 12–6 PM
Autumn Farm Festival: Experience the Arche Idea Live
The harvest is in, the fields are plowed, and our animals are gradually putting on their winter coats. While the four-legged ones get cozy, we invite the two-legged ones to a cuddle party and coat care with our Arche animals! While the stables are brushed and animals are petted, the adults can explore our farm, learn about the Arche farm concept, and find out more about preserving rare domestic animal breeds.
What awaits you:
• Answers to agricultural questions about Michaelshof
• Guided tours through our Arche-Hof
• Dairy visits
• Games & excitement for kids
• Rides around the farm with our horses (for kids)
• Delicious food
Free entry! Donations welcome!
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Sammatz loves universalists and universalists love Sammatz. That explains why Joshua from Ecuador ended up in our little village a year ago. The trained doctor not only heals people but also cares for plants, greets farm shop customers with a charming smile, helps daily during the hot kitchen phase, and delights everyone with his love of singing and piano playing at the Open Stages. Yes, Joshua has a good connection to the world – and he thinks a doctor should have that. Leaving for distant Germany in July 2024 wasn’t easy. What does the well-traveled volunteer miss despite all his enthusiasm for Sammatz? His family, lifelong friends – and, even though Christian cooks well – Ecuadorian food. But hey, who wouldn’t do all this when you have the chance to meet people from all over the world in the middle of stunning nature?
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For Joshua, Sammatz unexpectedly became a springboard to all of Europe, Africa, and Asia: new friendships brought invitations to different home countries, and those invitations brought a wealth of impressions and experiences.
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There’s still much to discover, which is why Joshua likes to listen inward. He wants to be at peace with himself, not driven by desire, but content with what he already has. One thing Joshua certainly possesses is a good sense – for people, but also for the German language, which he already speaks very well alongside English and Spanish, and which he even regularly teaches to beginners. Clearly the best foundation for learning Portuguese too – which he thinks sounds beautiful and makes sense with so many Portuguese-speaking volunteer colleagues.
And what’s next? First, a short vacation home in January, then job hunting in Bavaria and starting an advanced medical program. Joshua’s big interest lies in sports medicine, which he’d like to combine with naturopathic methods – something he’s experienced firsthand, both at Michaelshof and in his own family, and which he describes as “magic.” Not everything that works can be explained, says Joshua. He’s right – and he’s won all our hearts: a determined and sympathetic young man, to whom we wish all the best for his career in Germany.
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We’re looking for committed and dynamic people for our team who want to take on responsibility and enjoy country life. A meaningful job is more important to you than a “9 to 5”? Then you’re in the right place!
We’re looking for skilled workers or talented individuals in the following areas:
Hands-On:
- Educator for our children & youth welfare institution „Peronnik“
- Pastry chef
- Ornamental plant gardener
- Gardener for trees, shrubs & lawn care
- Construction worker
- Landscape gardener
- Pharmacist
- Printer & laminator
Office:
Your qualification isn’t listed, but you’re still interested? Just give it a try!
Please send your application with photo to: claudia.brady@sammatz.de – we’ll get back to you!
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+++ NEWSTICKER +++
Impressions from everyday community life…
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…between evening moves and evenings at the Blue House…
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…to our hayloft, where Paula hangs yarrow to dry. Not only tasty for our cows but also healthy – great for digestion and gut flora…
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…a few glimpses from the Perennial Festival in September…
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…including the festival & garden dream team with Anna, Klara, Sienna, Hannah, Anton and Leon…
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…and beautiful moments in nature! High above the arena with light filtering through the leaves – Komorebi, as it’s called in Japanese…
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Here comes what’s probably the last dahlia reminder of the year.
Our Mexican friends are still a lovely sight – be sure to come by before the first frost!
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Warm regards and until next time – Anna & Marina ❤️
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