A HeartySol travel journal from Munich → Hannover → Berlin

---

Traveling Through Germany: Munich, Hannover, and Berlin as Farmers

There’s nothing like stepping out of your daily rhythm, hopping across the ocean, and landing in a place where the buildings are older than your entire family tree. This month, we traded our rolling Minnesota fields for the bustling streets of Munich, the agricultural pulse of Hannover, and the layered, complex beauty of Berlin.

As farmers, we don’t get away often. But every time we do, it changes something in us. Germany had a way of waking up our curiosity again. The kind that pushes you to learn, to connect, and to keep improving the work you’ve been doing for generations.

And goodness..the food alone made the trip worth it. Flaky pastries, the Leberkässemmel, which is a thick slice of Leberkäse (meat loaf) tucked into a crusty roll served with mustard…instant drool. Pumpkin soups that felt like hugs, pretzels as big as your head (there, also we coined the phrase ‘purse pretzel’- you know, because you just never know when you’ll need one), sausages and kraut sizzling at the outdoor Winter markets, the famous German Glühwein (mulled wine) and beer that flowed so freely it felt like a historical reenactment. One night, inside a 1500s stone castle, there was a fresh keg cracked open every 15 minutes. Minnesotans are not prepared for that kind of efficiency.

---

When History Books Come Alive: Dachau, the Berlin Wall & WWII Sites

Germany carries its history honestly, and walking through it is something you feel in your bones.

Standing in Dachau: A Somber Reminder of Our Shared Humanity

Visiting the Dachau Concentration Camp was heavy and grounding. No photographs or page in a textbook can prepare you for the weight of standing where so much suffering took place. It was quiet. Sobering. Necessary.

When walking through Dachau, the gravity of human history sits heavy on your chest. It’s not a place you “visit”—it’s a place you witness. To stand where so much pain was inflicted…it presses you into a deeper kind of empathy and a deeper responsibility to be a good human, right where you are.

We learned that every German school group is required to visit a concentration camp so students understand, firsthand, the gravity of what happened there — and why a society must never allow that kind of segregation or dehumanization to happen again.

Walking the Berlin Wall and WWII Landmarks in Berlin

In Berlin, we walked the remains of the Wall, visited the site of Hitler’s bunker, Jewish Memorials, and explored the museum at the former Nazi headquarters. These places undeniably force you to pause and to reflect. To understand just how important it is to remember — and to do better as human beings.

For our kids and our community, sharing these stories matters.

---

The Unforgettable Hospitality of the Fendt Family

And then… the warmth.

The Fendt team welcomed our group with open arms — and plates full of food. I don’t know what we expected, but it wasn’t the kind of hospitality where we felt like we were being hosted by old friends rather than by one of the most iconic tractor brands in the world.

From traditional meals to handcrafted desserts to endless pours of German beer, the Fendt family didn’t just show us their tractors — they showed us their pride and generosity.

---

Inside the Fendt Factory: How Our Tractors Are Built

Standing on the factory floor was like watching craftsmanship, engineering, and legacy all working in perfect rhythm. Tractors were assembled with such precision and care. We walked away with a whole new level of respect for the machine we run at home.

Precision, Craftsmanship, and the People Behind the Machines

Every bolt, every seal, every finish — created by real people who take immense pride in their work. It reminded us that agriculture is never just about equipment. It’s about the hands that build it and the hands that use it.

---

What We Learned at Agritechnica in Hannover

Agritechnica is like the Olympics for agriculture. Think thousands of innovators, farmers, ranchers, and ag businesses all under one roof — sharing ideas, challenges, and breakthroughs.

While attending the conference, we met people from Canada, Spain, South America, China, the Dakotas, you name it. Everyone had a story. Everyone had something to teach. I loved that many of the booths didn’t just have little treats or candies to hand out, but mini cafes. These cafes allowed them to sit with their customers and enjoy a meal or espresso. It spoke volumes about how willing they are to connect with people vs. just watch people pass by.

Connecting With Farmers From Around the World

There’s something energizing about realizing how connected we all are. Whether you’re milking cows in Minnesota or raising grain in Germany, the values are the same: stewardship, efficiency, sustainability, and taking care of your land so it takes care of you.

Innovative Ideas to Bring Back to the Farm

We came home with notebooks full of ideas — small changes, big possibilities, and ways to keep our farm moving forward with more sustainability and smarter systems.

---

Why Travel Matters for Farmers and Ranchers

Every time we leave the farm, our perspective widens.

Learning From Other Cultures and Agricultural Traditions

From how Germans honor their land to how they feed their communities, there’s so much to learn just by paying attention.

How Travel Inspires More Sustainable Farming Practices

Standing in another country gives you fresh ideas for how to tend your soil, care for your animals, reduce waste, and grow with intention — not overwhelm.

Travel makes us better farmers. Better humans. Better stewards.

---

Coming Home Inspired, Grateful, and Ready for the Next Season

Germany filled our minds with possibilities and our hearts with gratitude. With every conversation, every shared beer, every historical site, every diesel-scented tractor tour, we carried home a little more understanding of this big, beautiful world we get to be a part of.

And like every good trip, we returned home to Minnesota with new energy — and a whole lot of ideas ready to put into practice.

More of my European Travels!

Luxembourg and Beyond

From Italy to the Farm