From here, you have a good view of the village, the pastures and the steep fields behind you. Gimmelwald is a farming village, where agriculture has always been the main source of income. Over the last decades though, the number of farms has decreased significantly due to structural changes in agriculture. Around 1930, there were about 55 households in Gimmelwald and 43 of them lived off farming. Of these farms, only a handful still exist. On the other hand, the farmers have more land today than back then; in addition to the fields and pastures in the village the Gimmelwald farmers also work most of the land in Mürren, where there’s only one farm left. Prior to 1949, there were no motor vehicles or motor mowers in Gimmelwald.
Everything was done manually; from mowing to then carrying the grass to the barns. In spring and autumn, the farmers had to haul liquid manure and muck to the fields and spread it manually. They either carried the loads on their backs or used wheelbarrows. The farmers owned several small barns in different places to keep the distance between barns and pastures as short as possible. In winter, the cattle were driven to the next barn, whenever the food stocks were used up in one barn. Sometimes the farmers had to first clear deep snow from the paths between the barns! Nowadays, every farmer has a single large barn where the cattle spend the winter and where the fodder for the whole winter can be stocked. You can still see the small barns in and around the village. Today, they are only used as shelters or sheepfolds. Farm chores vary and depend on the seasons. As soon as the snow has melted in spring, the farmers fertilize the fields with liquid manure and they put up the fences around the pastures. Before winter, the fences are either removed or placed flat on the ground so the posts don’t break under the heavy snow loads. As soon as the grass has grown – usually in mid-May – the cattle can graze the pastures. Most cattle spend the summers on the alpine pastures where dairymen and herdsmen take care of them while sheep and goats graze the steepest slopes in Mürren and Gimmelwald. To get the cattle through the long winters, a lot of fodder is needed. In addition to hay, most dairy cows get concentrated feed, which is expensive and has to be transported over long distances. So the farmers’ main chore in summer is making hay and silage to provide fodderFarmers’ families also maintainlarge vegetable gardens to provide food for themselves. They grow vegetables, potatoes, several kinds of berries and herbs. In autumn, the cattle are driven down the mountain back to Gimmelwald. In traditional ceremonies, the cheese that was made on the alps is distributed to the cows’ owners. Provided there is still grass, the cattle graze the pastures around the village until the first snow falls. When the pastures are grazed, the fences are placed on the ground and the fields are fertilized with muck. This is the time of year when some animals are taken to the slaughter house in Gimmelwald. This is a difficult moment for the farmers since they are attached to their animals. But selling meat contributes to the farmers’ income and slaughtering is part of the agricultural cycle. At least the animals have led a happy life in lush meadows. And since the slaughter house is right in Gimmelwald, they are spared the ordeal of of a long-distance transport to some faraway slaughter house. In winter, the daily chores on the farm are mainly limited to feeding, milking, and mucking out in the morning and in the evening. The cattle spend the winter in the stables, but depending on the weather conditions and the type of farm, they get to enjoy some fresh air at least every couple of days. Many farmers take on a second job in winter, some work for example in the ski area Mürren-Schilthorn. The simple and modest life of a mountain farmer is for idealists only, but in return, they are rewarded with a great deal of freedom, and fresh air, and they work in harmony with nature. In addition, they are able to provide for themselves with products from their own farms and gardens. The farmers contribute to conserving the landscapes and biodiversity as well in that intensive cultivation is not possible in our mountainous region. To keep farmers from overfarming, the government provides financial subsidies. Many farmers follow the strict production guidelines established by BioSuisse, the federation of Swiss organic farmers. The products are of high-quality and you can find everything from meat, milk, cheese and eggs, to blends of tea, syrup, and jam. Certain products are directly sold from the farms. A group of female farmers called “Marktfrauen Gimmelwald” or “market women” distribute their products collectively. In winter, they set up a market stall in Mürren once a week to sell their products. We are heading towards the Hotel Mittaghorn now. From there, walk down some steps to reach the next bench. If you prefer, you can continue on this road for a bit before heading to the cable car station. You will soon reach a small shop called “Mischmasch”, where you will certainly find an authentic souvenir to remind you of your trip to Gimmelwald.