Altes Land
Steeped in tradition "Altes Land" is one of the most beautiful pieces of land in Northern Germany. It stretches across a length of 25 kilometres between the Süderelbe and the Schwinge and a width of not more than 8 kilometres between the Elbe and the Geestrandmoor. At 0.5 m above mean sea level, the area is situated just barely above sea level. Combined with the maritime northern German climate, the fertile and nutrient-rich alluvial soil of the Elbe provides ideal preconditions for organic farming.
There are over 3.5 million fruit trees in "Altes Land" and 95 % of these are apple trees.
900 years ago the later "Altes Land" was nothing more than a large area consisting of marshes and swamps. In 1140 the bishops of Bremen called on Dutch settlers to reclaim these areas. Even today the place names, such as Francop or Nincop remind us of their Dutch history.
Meanwhile the growing of fruit in "Altes Land" now has a 600 year-old tradition. At that time monks from the monastery in Stade began with the methodical cultivation of stone and pip fruit. Today the "Altes Land" is the largest fruit-growing region in Northern Europe. The "Arbeitsgruppe Weltkulturerbe" (world heritage work group) is endeavouring to have the "Altes Land" recognised as a world heritage site by Unesco.
Additional information on the "Altes Land" can be located on the homepages of Jork Municipality and the Heimatverein Neuenfelde.