Launched 30 years ago, the Historic Harvest Festival in Bernburg-Strenzfeld has become a tradition. As a major draw for visitors, it has become an indispensable part of the Saalestadt’s calendar of events. And that’s exactly why Anhalt University of Applied Sciences is celebrating this milestone anniversary even bigger than usual, together with the Saxony-Anhalt State Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture (LLG), which is also based in Strenzfeld and serves as a co-organizer. In the courtyard of the DLG’s International Center for Plant Production (IPZ), the hosts have come up with a host of anniversary treats.
Preparations are in full swing. Sabine Thalmann, Director of Central Administration at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, is in charge of the overall organization. She says: “Our traditional highlights—whether tractor and horse plowing, the tractor parade and harvest procession, animal presentations and the children’s area, or the fairy-tale barn—will of course be part of the anniversary event. Beyond that, however, it was very important to us to organize new highlights for the anniversary—especially those historically connected to Agriculture.”
Visitors will be able to experience how historic steam plows work. Heavy steam engines will be brought from Baden-Württemberg—specifically from Hohenheim University of Applied Sciences—to Strenzfeld to plow the fields. What makes this method special is that the machines, which weigh several metric tons, remain stationary at opposite ends of the field while working and pull a plow back and forth using a cable system. Since they do not drive onto the field themselves, soil compaction is effectively prevented—unlike when modern tractors are used. This method came into use in the second half of the 19th century, mostly on large farms and estates.
And because food production is an integral part of Agriculture history, visitors are invited to get a taste of it—in the truest sense of the word—to celebrate the 30th anniversary. A “Bockwurst Battle” provides the perfect opportunity for this.
Three producers will compete against each other. Each will bring one variety of their own homemade bockwurst. “So three different varieties will be offered for tasting: pork, lamb, and beef. The participants will then submit their credits. The focus will be on information about the food itself—from piglet to sausage,” explains Holger Minge of the LLG.
Finally, the history of the event is being brought back to life in a big way. Founders will be on site, and the history comes alive with a photo exhibition organized specifically for the anniversary. Each year, the celebration features a different exhibit as a visual theme. Founders and contributors from years past are involved and will certainly be available for conversation on this day. Sabine Thalmann: “We’ve been flipping through our photo albums and digging through the Archives. Many wonderful memories show how the festival has grown over the years and how a small idea turned into a traditional festival.”
