ABOUT US
About 70 to 80 years ago, the slopes of Davos-Klosters were lined with potato fields. An image that now exists only in photographs and the memories of the village elders. During the Second World War, potatoes were grown here, just like in open fields all over Switzerland, to provide the population with essential food. But times have changed, and today the potatoes that end up on the plates of the mountain community are imported from faraway countries. This doesn't have to be the case.
Our idea is simple, but powerful: bring mountain potatoes back to the region. From Davos for Davos. We bring back the forgotten knowledge of the past and preserve it. The "ünschi Härdöpfel" project is the first step towards this potato renaissance.
WHO SAYS SWITZERLAND HAS NO NATURAL RESOURCES IN ITS SOIL?
"Ünschi Härdöpfel" is more than just the restoration of the local potato production. It is a commitment to sustainable agriculture in the mountains and a strengthening of the relationship with nature and regional food. Low-impact farming methods are used on the steep slopes to minimise the impact on the environment. It is only from this perspective that the magnitude of the project becomes clear.
The vision goes even further. We dream of growing not only potatoes in the mountains in the future, but other crops such as barley and herbs. Because in order to maintain the fertility of the fields, different plants should be cultivated every 2-3 years.
RENESSAINCE IS OUR VISION. IS IT YOURS TOO?
"Ünschi Härdöpfel" is a project by the network next-generations.ch in collaboration with NG members Bioladen Davos, Live Lab, DavosWorks and Richnerstutz.
We hope that our project will also appeal to an audience that wants to support change in sustainable agriculture that will be viable for future generations. "Ünschi Härdöpfel" are therefore not just our mountain potatoes, but also"dini Härdöpfel" - they belong to everyone who is committed to revitalising local agriculture in the mountains.
Let's reactivate the potato fields in the Davos-Klosters region together. We look forward to any support. Be it with the providing of further plots, or with an investment or donation. This is how we can ensure that the mountain potato experiences its well-deserved renaissance.
