Helping together instead of living apart

There is pure energy behind her hearty laugh. Because Elisabeth Kampl is not someone who avoids things, but a woman who gets stuck in. This may well be due to her past: "I grew up on a Salzburg mountain farm in Wagrain and was the fifth of seven children. We had a tough upbringing, there were practically no vacations, work on the farm was the main focus and money was usually tight." But she doesn't want to complain: "That was just the way it was back then after the turmoil of war. But we were able to learn values that are usually hidden from today's generation." Values that are characterized by helping each other and mutual respect. Something you sometimes look for in vain today, but which is gradually being rediscovered at the Tameggerhof.

Drawing from the full

Elisabeth once met and fell in love with her husband Siegfried while skiing. She only found out that he was a farmer when her heart had long since made the decision. "But I never wanted to be a farmer." Following her gut instinct, she moved to Carinthia. It quickly became clear: yes to taking over the farm, no to a sideline. "I wanted to stay with my children, be there for the family and be able to make a living from farming without any additional income." Making a good living from it, not just surviving, achieving a reasonable price for the produce - that was the motto and the plan began to bear fruit over the years. In 2003, the farm was converted to organic laying hens, and a year later Elisabeth began renting out the farm, which is now completely self-sufficient. Electricity and heat are supplied by a modern photovoltaic and biogas plant, most of the food needed is produced on the farm itself, and the farm's own hunting also provides the best venison for the cold stores. Guests can choose between one of the four romantic troad boxes or family guest rooms. Once a week there is a large guided tour of the farm, barbecue evenings and relaxed coffee afternoons bring everyone together, guests and family alike. "Because a cake is made quickly and it's the time that counts," Elisabeth is convinced.

Family time instead of time out

At the Tameggerhof, you can still find the extended family as you once knew it. "And it works when everyone helps out a little. After all, we set an example for young people on how best to do things. Today, we try to ensure that children get a good education, can realize their potential and create something. But is there a better life waiting for them in the urban jungle of Vienna? In my day, the Matura was almost unattainable, today almost everyone does it and then the young people don't know which path to take." Elisabeth sees it as her job to give them what counts in life. "At our farm, the children run around all day as they please, bought toys are secondary. Nature is the main protagonist." And the adult guests are also happy just to be at the farm, to enjoy country life, to understand how things work. "Many people associate it with idyll and romance, but permits, requirements, various notifications and a lack of skilled workers are also part of farming. Many people don't know that."

Despite the efforts that await her in every corner of the Tameggerhof, Elisabeth is in harmony with herself and her life: "I'm not overworked, I really enjoy working with the guests, the animals and the family. I don't need a break from the way we live, quite the opposite." And if you can say that after all these years of building up and investing, then you've probably done pretty much everything right.