The hunt for cheap food slows down August Hage's green visions: "We cannot give people more than the agriculture they are willing to pay for"
Økologisk NuIn 1967, Daniel Hage broke away from the direction that agriculture had taken. He was saddened to see it reduced to spray plans and artificial fertilizers, so he converted 100 hectares of his land at Oremandsgaard Estate in Præstø to biodynamic farming. In the 1970s, Daniel Hage then transitioned it to organic farming, and he actively fought for Denmark to have state-controlled organic standards rather than industry self-regulation. He thus contributed to the development of the state-certified organic label that we know today. When Daniel Hage passed away in 2013, his then 24-year-old son August suddenly inherited an estate with 900 hectares of land and a debt of 80 million DKK. Despite his lack of experience, August Hage, who was studying political science, decided to revitalize the estate. Based on a collaborative approach, the estate has now become an agricultural community with a distillery and bottling plant, home to many businesses including architects, artists, furniture upholsterers, distillers, carpenters, and filmmakers. August Hage has maintained the organic principles—even though the progress that characterized organic farming for many years has stalled in recent years. "We are organic farmers because we believe there are many externalities that conventional production does not account for. When we have weeds in the field, it creates space for a completely different food chain for insects, and the longer a field has been farmed organically, the more exceptional the weed composition is. This provides a basis for insect life, which is otherwise in strong decline," says August Hage. Hoping for understanding of the premium price If his father were alive today, August Hage believes he would have integrated regenerative principles into farming. "He would always have liked to push production in a direction that considers the life of the soil in a completely different way. This is not accounted for in conventional production, but as an organic farmer today, it’s difficult. I can see many things we could do better if we could get a fair price for our products, but the market is shrinking, and prices are falling. It’s not easy to sell the idea that you’re doing good for the soil when you’re not paid for it. I have many idealistic projects, but we cannot give people more than the land they are willing to pay for," he says. On Saturday, September 5th, he will open the estate to visitors as part of the annual Organic Harvest Market organized by the Organic Association. This is the first time he is hosting this annual event, and he hopes to give Danes a better understanding of why some foods cost more than others—and why it might be worth paying a premium for organic products. The harvest market will feature over 25 stalls, including products from the estate’s own distillery, meat, and vegetables from Under Egen. Additionally, several small producers, a burger truck, Præstø Bakery, Møn’s Brewery, and many others will be present. "I believe that when our guests meet the individual producers, they will better understand why quality costs more. Much of the feedback we receive is that people are willing to buy even if things are more expensive, because when they talk to the producers, they gain an understanding of all the work that actually goes into each raw material," he says. Used to events Although this is his first year as host of the harvest market, August Hage is accustomed to hosting events with many guests: The estate hosts a so-called country market on the first Saturday of each month, where typically 20-25 local producers sell their goods, and the number of visitors can reach up to 2,000. He expects even more visitors on Saturday because there will be additional activities, especially for children. There will be a bouncy castle and a hay bale slide. Additionally, a combine harvester and an old Volvo Buster tractor will be on display, with food available for purchase, and Røstofte Machines has donated eight small toy tractors for children to play with. The Organic Harvest Market takes place on organic farms across the country. Some are open only on Saturday or Sunday, while others are open both days. For Oremandsgaard Estate, it is open on Saturday from 11 am to 2 pm. This article was written as part of the project ‘Organic Harvest Market – Experience and Understand the Fundamental Values of Organic Farming’.
I 1967, farmer Daniel Hage foresaw the direction that agriculture was heading.
He was saddened to see it reduced to spray planes and artificial fertilizers and therefore converted 100 hectares of his land at Oremandsgaard Estate in Præstø to biodynamic farming.
In the 1970s, Daniel Hage then transitioned it to organic farming, and he actively fought for Denmark to have state-controlled organic standards, rather than industry self-regulation. He thus played a part in the development of our state-certified organic label, the Ø-mærke, into what we know today.
When Daniel Hage passed away in 2013, his then 24-year-old son August suddenly inherited an estate, 900 hectares of land — and a debt of 80 million DKK.
Despite his lack of experience, August Hage, who was studying political science, decided to rebuild the estate. Based on a collaborative approach, the estate has now become an agricultural community with a distillery and brewery, home to many businesses ranging from architects, artists, furniture upholsterers, and distillers to carpenters and filmmakers.
August Hage has maintained his commitment to organic farming — even though the progress that characterized organic farming for many years has stalled in recent years.
"We are organic farmers because we believe there are many externalities that conventional production does not account for. When we have weeds in the field, it creates space for a completely different food chain for insects, and the longer a field has been farmed organically, the more exceptional the weed composition on the field becomes. This provides a basis for insect life, which is otherwise in strong decline," says August Hage.
Hoping for understanding of the premium price
If his father were alive today, August Hage believes he would have integrated regenerative principles into farming.
"He would always have liked to push production in a direction that considers the life of the soil in a completely different way. This is not accounted for in conventional production, but as an organic farmer today, it is difficult. I can see all sorts of things we could do better if we could get a fair price for our products, but the market is shrinking, and prices are falling. It’s not easy to sell the idea that you’re doing good for the land when you’re not paid for it. I have many idealistic projects, but we cannot give people more than the land will pay for," says August Hage.
On Saturday, September 5th, he will open the estate to visitors as part of the annual Organic Harvest Market organized by the Organic Association.
This is the first time he is one of the hosts for this annual event, and he hopes to give Danes a better insight into why some foods cost more than others — and why it might be worth paying a premium for organic products.
At the harvest market, there will be more than 25 stalls, including products from the estate’s own distillery, meat, and vegetables from Under Egen. Additionally, several small producers, a burger truck, Præstø Bakery, Møn Brewery, and many others will be present.
"I believe that when our guests meet the individual producers, they better understand why quality costs more. Much of the feedback we receive is that people are actually willing to pay, even if things are more expensive, because when they talk to the producers, they gain an understanding of all the work that actually goes into each raw material," he says.
Experienced in events
Although this is his first year as a host for the harvest market, August Hage is used to hosting events with many guests: The estate hosts a so-called country market on the first Saturday of each month, where typically 20-25 local producers sell their goods, and the number of visitors can reach up to 2,000.
He expects even more visitors on Saturday because there will be more activities, especially for children. There will be a bouncy castle and a straw bale slide. Additionally, a combine harvester and an old Volvo Buster tractor will be brought out, food will be available for purchase, and Røstofte Machines has donated eight small toy tractors for children to roll around on.
The Organic Harvest Market takes place on organic farms across the country. Some are open either Saturday or Sunday, others both days. For Oremandsgaard Estate, it is open Saturday from 11 am to 2 pm.
The article is written as part of the project 'Organic Harvest Market – Experience and Understand the Fundamental Values of Organic Farming.'