Juchowo Village Project: From Partnership to Self-Sufficiency
After more than 20 years, the Software AG Foundation (SAGST) is ending its role as the primary sponsor of the Juchowo village project in Poland. This decision stems from the Stanislaw Karłowski Foundation’s desire to continue the project independently in the future. This has been made possible by the foundation’s endowment, which was built up over the years with the support of SAGST.
The initiative for the village project can be traced back to Demeter farmer Dr. Manfred Klett (✝2025) and SAGST founder Dr. h. c. Peter Schnell. In the early 2000s, they developed a vision to transform the dilapidated large-scale farm from the pre-reunification era in northwestern Poland into a modern biodynamic agricultural enterprise. Today, it encompasses more than 1,800 hectares of farmland. The success of this development is owed to the long-standing commitment of many stakeholders.
An International Model Project
Juchowo has since become a vibrant farm community with a wide range of activities, educational programs, and research initiatives. Around 100 people live and work here—including individuals who require assistance, as well as employees from the region and various European countries. Milestones in recent years include advances in cattle breeding, the development of social therapy programs, and a broad educational program for children and youth that clearly conveys ecological concepts. The design of the cultural landscape surrounding the farm is regarded throughout Europe as exemplary for the development of climate-resilient agricultural landscapes.
With SAGST’s withdrawal, a new phase begins for the project. As a funding foundation, it constantly navigates the tension between providing supportive proximity and respecting autonomy. “We see our funding activities as a living balance between connection and letting go,” says board member Peter Augustin. “In the case of Juchowo, this means: We are consciously stepping back, placing our trust in the local leaders. At the same time, the project remains a defining part of our foundation’s history—linked to the prospect of a new, freer form of relationship.”
