The interview was conducted by Mr. Koprek on behalf of SEM SEO GmbH for usedom.de on December 9, 2019.
Face of the Island: Anja Debniak and Her Farm Store
Magazine
27.01.2020, Usedom Tourismus GmbH
Anja Debniak runs the farm stand "Villa Kunterbunt" in Neuendorf. The family raises sheep, pigs, and cattle on their farm. Twice a year, she hosts her now-legendary cider festivals.
"Nose-to-tail" and all organic—nothing goes to waste
Ms. Debniak, how and when did the farm stand “Villa Kunterbunt” come about?
The farm store was established in 2001. Until 2003, it was still a side business. Then I quit my job and went into business for myself from one day to the next.
We bought the farm back then because my husband had a few sheep and I had a horse. We were also expecting our first child. It was a good time to have a home of our own. We bought a house here in the village with a large property. We had an apple tree on the farm, and one day a cyclist rode by and asked if he could buy an apple from us. That’s how we sold our first apple, and after that, one thing led to another. We made jam from the apples we didn’t sell. Eventually, we started baking bread and slaughtered our first sheep.
What do you offer at the farm stand? What are the bestsellers?
We mainly offer meat from our own animals. We raise sheep, pigs, and cattle. We use them to make a wide variety of meat products. Our sheep provide not only meat but also wool, so we sell wool products as well.
We also have orchard meadows. We work with a local cidery to make fruit juices from the harvest. I also make various jams. Because of the orchard, we have bees, so we sell honey as well. Of course, the fruit can also be purchased unprocessed. The same goes for the vegetables that grow all around the farm. I also bake whole-grain bread three times a week. In addition, we offer a few dairy products that we source from elsewhere, allowing us to provide a fairly comprehensive selection. A friend from the village even makes jewelry from the bones of our cattle, which can also be purchased at the farm store.
If even the cattle bones are turned into jewelry, then you really do make use of everything. Even more so than with “nose-to-tail.”
Exactly. We don’t throw anything away. Any food that really can’t be sold or even eaten anymore goes to our pigs.
Do you practice organic farming on your farm?
Yes, we’re a certified organic farm. Meat, fruit, vegetables—everything we produce is organic. The farm store itself, however, isn’t certified because we also sell products from other farms there.
"Villa Kunterbunt" is open in both summer and winter
When is your farm stand open?
During summer break, I’m open seven days a week. The rest of the time, from Easter through St. Martin’s Day, I’m open six days a week. In the summer, the store opens as early as 7:30 a.m., and the rest of the year at 10:00 a.m. In the winter, the farm store is completely closed for a few weeks. That’s when we tackle the chores we never get around to in the summer. Since my husband and I do everything on our own, there’s always plenty to do. We only treat ourselves to a few quiet days between Christmas and New Year’s, and by January, it’s time to get back to work in the barn.
Who comes to your farm stand? Just locals, or tourists as well?
I really get all kinds of people. I have customers I only see once, and I have regulars from the island and sometimes even from Greifswald. Anyone who’s bought something from me and enjoyed it usually comes back. And my regulars aren’t just islanders—many vacationers also come back regularly. Their first stop after arriving is usually my farm stand to shop before their vacation really gets going.
How do you attract customers to your farm stand? I mean, how do people find out about you?
Simply by chance—I don’t advertise. Either they stumble upon me by accident, or someone recommended me to them.
You host cider festivals twice a year. What can visitors expect there?
We host a cider festival at the end of September and the end of October. That’s when the mobile cider press comes to us. Anyone can bring their own apples and have them pressed here. Of course, we also offer food at the festivals. In addition to coffee and cake, there are, for example, bratwurst, steak, and burgers off the grill. While the adults enjoy themselves, the children can play on the farm. For that, we're even building a straw castle and a climbing course. Kids can ride the ponies and feed the pigs with pomace. We’ve been holding these cider festivals for 17 years now, and many people take advantage of what we have to offer.
How did you end up on the island?
I’m from Wolgast, the gateway to the island. I spent my childhood here and went to school on the island.
What’s your favorite spot on Usedom? Where do you go when you want to relax from farm work?
When we want to relax, we usually just sit down somewhere and watch our animals (laughs). But another great option is to head to the beach after 6 p.m. By then, most of the vacationers have left, and you can still enjoy a bit of peace and quiet on the beach before the sun sets.
Where on the island do you most enjoy indulging in good food when you’re not eating your own produce? Do you have a dining recommendation for visitors to Usedom?
We like to go to the Deutsche Haus in Ückeritz. The food there is always good, no matter what time of year you visit the restaurant or how crowded it is. Plus, the restaurant occasionally sources lamb from our farm. We usually make our own pizza, but when we don’t feel like it, we go to “Stella del Lago” in Karlshagen. It’s a great Italian restaurant that’s definitely worth recommending!
Thank you very much for the interview!
Share this discovery
By clicking the icons, you leave this website.