I grew up on a diverse farm in rural Germany, in a big family and among all kinds of animals and plants. When I grew older, it was my biology class that raised the final bit of awareness neccessary to decide to work for the planet, to live in solidarity with people and to become self-sufficient where possible.
Searching for how to do this, I came across a book that a later colleague of mine (PC Diploma holder Monika Frank) issued, called "Jobben fuer Natur und Umwelt" (jobbing for nature and the environment), a directory of places for voluntary work. In this, there was a description of Permaculture - and it stuck. Whereever I went from there, I looked out for it: studying organic agriculture, moving to an ecovillage, starting to pass on knowledge about sustainable lifestyles.
After participating in the Sustainable Landuse Course at Ragman's Lane Farm with Patrick Whitefield in 2003, I started to study at the Permakultur Akademie in 2005 to become a Permaculture Diploma Holder. When finished, I focused on accompanying students at the Permakultur Akademie as a tutor and offering Introductory and Design Courses for both a national and international audience, together with a team of colleagues.
Apart from permaculture teaching, I am actively involved in setting up an ecovillage in northern Germany (www.siebenlinden.de) and I coordinate a voluntary service programme for an association focussing on peacework in the nearby region (www.kurvewustrow.org).

European Permaculture Network

European Permaculture Teachers' Partnership

A 2-year project funded by the European Union in which Permaculture Teachers from 20+ European countries exchanged about methods and quality of delivering information about Permaculture.