Mon, 02 Nov 2009

Well-known biodynamic activists killed in mountain accident

SEEON-SEEBRUCH/RIMSTING (NNA) – The Demeter Association in Germany has lost two of its most prominent members in a mountain accident. According to the association, Jochen Ackermann (54), one of the most high-profile biodynamic farmers in Bavaria, and Andreas Amberger (39), chief executive of the Demeter Dairy Farmers’ Association, were killed while hiking in the mountains.

“It is tragic to lose these two dedicated fighters who fought so hard for our common cause in this way,” Demeter board member Stephen Illi wrote in an obituary. They had both left “a huge gap” in the association.

Jochen Ackermann was an experienced mountaineer who had previously conquered an eight thousand metre high peak in the Himalayas. ”Jochen was always cautious, he never ran any risks,” an online newspaper in Chiemgau quoted a friend of the Demeter farmer as saying.

According to the report, the two climbers were crossing a blue ice glacier when they slipped and fell on to lower-lying rocks. They had been roped together. All the mountain rescue team and the crew of the rescue helicopter could do was to confirm the death of the two climbers at the scene.

The cause of the accident is still and will probably remain uncertain. The glacier is part of the 2607 metre high Hochkalter range in the Berchtesgaden Alps.

Ackermann’s Demeter farm in Seoon has been producing biodynamically for two generations, his parents being Demeter pioneers. For many years he was a supervisory board member of the Milchwerke Berchtesgadener Land dairy cooperative and most recently was on the board of the Demeter Molkerei dairy.

As well as breeding cattle and horses, his particular area of interest was the biodynamic preparations. He presented his research into the constellations of the stars in many lively lectures. He is survived by his wife and two adult daughters.

Andreas Amberger had been working for three and a half years as an adviser in Chiemgau and as chief executive of the Demeter Dairy Farmers’ Association. He was particularly concerned with the development of the quality of biodynamic produce. He was committed to achieving stable and fair milk prices. Together with everyone involved, he was keen to find an arrangement which would allow Demeter farmers to cover the additional costs of biodynamic production and help secure their existence.

End/nna/ung/hva/cva

Link: www.chiemgau-online.de

Item: 091102-01EN Date: 2 November 2009

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