Lutz Farm is a small farm located in the Denron neighbourhood of the Vöhren district. The Lutz family has been the proud owners and operators of the farm for centuries. They grow a variety of crops, including Rye, Buckwheat, and Flax. The rye and buckwheat are used partly for personal consumption and partly sold to locals. The flax produced on the farm is processed into linen fabric, which is then traded with Boutique Vos. In addition to crops, Lutz Farm also raises cattle for milk and meat. Some of the cattle are sold to locals. Recently, the farm has placed a greater emphasis on producing flax to create high-quality intricate linen fabrics.
The farm is situated in a bogland that extends from the Wester Wüste. The bogland consists of several ponds that residents of the area can use for retting flax. The farm used to be located in a drier area, but due to over-farming and deforestation, the soil quality has decreased, making farming more challenging.
The farm is composed of a primary building, which is both a home for the family and a shelter for some of the higher-priced animals. On the ground floor, one can find the kitchen and living room, along with two small bedrooms that used to be part of the barn floor. Additionally, there is a small weaving room on the ground floor. The rest of the floor is reserved for the animals, including a large stable for the horse, a pig stable, and a chicken coop. On the second floor are two bedrooms, a storage area, and a hayloft. Apart from the main building, there is a stable for the cattle, located close to the primary building.
The residents of Lutz farm all work on their farm. In early spring, they plough the fields and plant flax seeds. They also keep the fields weed-free for rye and buckwheat. The cattle are moved from the stable to the fields during this time. In summer, flax, rye, and buckwheat crops are harvested, starting with rye and buckwheat, followed by flax. In autumn, the flax is put into nearby ponds for the retting process and left to dry afterwards. The rye and buckwheat are threshed and winnowed before being taken to the local mill to be ground into flour. The farmers also slaughter or sell some of the cattle to ensure a steady number of mouths to feed during winter. Before winter, they plant new rye or flax on different fields to maintain soil quality. During winter, they break, scutch, and hack the flax fibres to prepare them for spinning and weaving.
Flax, also known by its Latin name “Linum usitatissimum”, is a flowering plant in the family of Flax plants. It produces blue and white flowers, has brown or yellow seeds and a long stem. The plant has been used for ages for the production of linseed oil and fibers, from which linen is made. Flax plants made for linen are longer and have more branches than the plants from which seeds are harvested to make linseed oil.
Produced at: Lutz farm
Linen is a fabric made from the fibres of the stems of Flax plants. The stems of these plants are harvested, retted and undergo a process of extracting and then spinning the fibres into thread. These linen threads are then woven to create the fabric. After the fabric has been woven, the sheets are bleached in the sun, which turns the fabric from a yellowish tint to white.
Produced at: Lutz farm
Exported to: Boutique Vos
Needed: Flax
The Lakenvelder is a genus from the bovine family and probably originates from the Netherlands and Germany. A broad white stripe over the middle of the body can identify the Lakenvelder. The males weigh about 700kg and have an average height of 140cm, while the females weigh 550kg and have an average height of 130cm. They are mainly kept for their milk and meat.
Produced at: Lutz farm
Exported to: Hochter farm