Macra: IFYE trip to Switzerland

I spent six weeks in Switzerland over the summer with the International Farm Youth Exchange (IFYE) through Macra na Feirme. Heading out on my own was daunting but exciting at the same time. On this trip, I was placed with two families on farms; where I lived and worked with them. The aim of the exchange was to live and learn about the country through the eyes of a family.

My host family was Andreas and Daniela Popp who live in the northeastern part of Switzerland in the canton of St Gallen. The family have three children between the ages of 17 and 22, Sven, Reito and Janine. This family participated in IFYEs for the last 20 years so they are well experienced. The farm has 6ha of land and two hen houses for the 9,000 laying hens. On the 6ha they have an intensive apple orchard growing nine varieties of eating apples. My first impression of the farm was amazement.

The farm was neat and tidy and able to support two families. From a dairy farming background, this type of farm enterprise and system was all new to me.

On a typical working day, we started collecting eggs from the hen houses and grading them in the morning. The eggs were sold directly to local people and businesses which commanded better prices (40c to 50c/egg on average).

The farm had its own delivery van and eggs were delivered four to five times per week. Half of the hens were free-range and the other half were let outside to a ‘‘winter garden’’ or concrete yard with natural light, a roof, but no walls, and implements to keep the hens occupied.

We spent the rest of our afternoons working in the apple orchard. To speed up apple ripening and increase apple size, the crop was thinned out so that no more than one apple was within 10cm of the next. This was a labour-intensive job which took place over two and a half months to cover all the trees. Trees were sprayed frequently and the grass mown between the rows.

Free time/travel

I worked most days, partly at least, but also got to spend time with the family and attend events with them. The family was keen to show me around. One day I was hiking with the host mother’s parents. We went to Mt Schafler in the canton of Apenzell. The hike was tough in parts, ascending to 1,950m at the top. The views around were amazing with clear blue waters in rivers and lakes from the melted snow.

I spent one month in total with the Popp family. I attended multiple parties and attended church with them on Sundays. Although I had no German whatsoever, friends of the family tried hard to communicate with hand signals and whatever English they could manage. I was always well fed and felt welcome in the family.