Hail Storm Threatens Kulturhof Winterthur: Employees Launch Crowdfunding Campaign
Severe weather continues to impact farming operations across Winterthur, hitting organic and permaculture initiatives. The Kulturhof Winterthur agricultural operation in Wülflingen faces an existential threat following severe hailstorms that destroyed a large portion of its harvest and wrecked all four of its greenhouses. Employees have launched a crowdfunding campaign seeking 40,000 Swiss francs to cover the heavy losses and secure upcoming payroll.
Decimated Harvest and Shattered Glass at Wülflingen Farm
At the Demeter-certified Kulturhof Winterthur, the damage spans damaged farm vehicles, shattered greenhouse glass, and nearly total ruin of the seasonal output.
Forty-Three Years Without a Disaster Ends in Minutes
Reto Meier, the farmer operating Kulturhof Winterthur, described the sheer scale of the devastation while selling remaining produce at the weekly market in the Winterthur old town. Having lived on the farm for 43 years, Meier noted that he had never witnessed an event of this magnitude. Among the agricultural losses, the storm claimed the lives of four chickens and heavily damaged the property’s fruit trees, ruling out the annual cider-pressing tradition for the year.
“At the pumpkin harvest, we still have about five percent, the rest fell victim to the hail,” Meier said at the market stall. “I may be standing here beaming, but I don’t know how we will go on.”
Crowdfunding Campaign Targets 40,000 Francs for Staff Retention
Faced with widespread destruction, two employees of the farm took the initiative to launch a crowdfunding campaign to stabilize the operation. The immediate financial goal is set at 40,000 francs. While the building insurance policy covers repairs to the damaged barn roof, the open agricultural land itself remains uninsured against hail.
Despite the physical damage to infrastructure and crops, Meier emphasized that protecting his workforce remains the primary priority. “The most important thing is that we can keep the employees and pay their wages,” Meier stated.
Shifting Weather Patterns Force Insurance Rethink
Meier reflected on the shifting frequency of severe weather events, noting that while the farm went four decades without a hail claim, the Scheune roof has now required four separate repairs due to hail. Looking ahead, the farm plans to secure insurance for the upcoming agricultural cycle to mitigate future risks.