Friedrichsgabekoog: Westhof and Organic Farming

Friedrichsgabekoog is shaped by agriculture. Those interested in organic vegetable growing and food processing can get a practical insight at Westhof: visitors can book food tours and look behind the scenes at growing, production and the vegetable freezing facility. There is also an organic farm shop selling Westhof products and goods from regional partners. This gives the area an agricultural focus as well as a reason to shop.

Agriculture and processing at Westhof

Westhof Bio-Gemüse GmbH & Co. KG is a state-recognised Bioland processing business. Westhof also processes and markets products from certified organic farms. An agricultural profile, last updated on November 21, 2023, describes the cultivation of typical regional vegetables in the Dithmarschen marshland. It mentions ten hectares of greenhouse space for organically grown tomatoes and peppers and notes that freshly harvested organic vegetables are washed and packed for retail directly at Westhof. According to the profile, Westhof also processes vegetables from around 30 other organic farmers in the region; the number of partners may change. The municipal description gives 400 hectares of organically farmed land in the area around Westhof. Land area figures may change over time.

Organic farm shop and products

The Westhof organic farm shop sells its own organic produce alongside products from regional partners. The range includes vegetables and fruit, dairy products, baked goods, frozen foods, meat and cheese. Shopping is therefore not limited to fresh vegetables: the range also includes other everyday food items. The farm shop also offers organic farm boxes with recipe ideas from the Westhof kitchen. A description dated 2023 mentions additional organic specialities for everyday needs that have been marketed since 2023. Since the range and ordering options may change, it is best to check them before your visit or order.

Visiting and getting your bearings

Friedrichsgabekoog is on the B203; the Westhof organic farm shop is on this road shortly before Büsum. Visitors can book an appointment for food tours. If you are planning a tour or a visit to the farm shop, check the current visitor arrangements in advance and find out which products are currently available. This way, you can combine an insight into growing and processing with a shopping trip, without assuming that the same visitor arrangements apply to both.

More to explore in the wider Dithmarschen destination

The wider Dithmarschen destination also offers distinct cultural and activity experiences. The Dithmarscher Landesmuseum in Meldorf takes visitors through 1,200 years of Dithmarschen, from the wealth of the farmers’ republic to rural everyday life in the 1960s. The Dithmarschen Stone Age Park offers hands-on activities such as flint knapping, archery, making Stone Age jewellery, making fire and baking bread. Activities may vary depending on the programme. In Albersdorf, the Stone Age Forest contains nine original archaeological monuments. The natural Stone Age Forest next to the Stone Age Park covers around 40 hectares and is permanently free to access; check the latest access information before visiting.

For nature experiences, guided mudflat walks with knowledgeable local National Park mudflat guides are offered along the Dithmarschen coast. At low tide, they reveal the diverse life of the Wadden Sea; tides and dates vary. Walking routes also offer a range of distances: the first stage of the North–Baltic Sea Hiking Trail runs through Dithmarschen and is just under 40 kilometres long. The entire long-distance hiking trail comprises five stages and runs from Meldorf to Kiel. A shorter alternative in Dithmarschen is the “Mötjensee and White-tailed Eagle” route near Lunden, an easy 12.79-kilometre circular trail for walking in flat terrain.

Discover more destinations: Büsumer Deichhausen, Wesselburener Deichhausen, Hörst, Trennewurth, Süderdorf, Epenwöhrden, Meldorf, Buchholz.

Back to the wider travel overview: Dithmarschen.