Krehbiel Family Farm, Zaziwil, Switzerland

Krehbiel Family Homestead

I was excited to get my first view of the Krehbiel family farm. Let me give you a little background here. We were recommended a hotel in Bern. We find the hotel and settle in. One of the first people we met in Bern was the hotel clerk, Erika Ruegsegger. She was a nice gal and we had several conversations with her. On Wednesday, the 3rd, we were with Paul Hostettler in the morning. Mearl wanted someone to go with us in the afternoon that could speak German and interpret for us. Checked a couple of possibilities, but it didn't happen. We knew that Erika spoke both languages and Mearl asked her if she would travel with us. She wasn't working that day (her only day off that week.) She agreed to go along. She asked where we were going and we told her to the Emmental region, which is the region around and along the Emme River. She also told us she was from Zaziwil. On the way, Mearl asked her if she knew of the Krehbiel farm and if she knew where it was. Erika said she knew where it was, as it was next door to the farm where she grew up. We were very surprised and very pleased. She took us to her parents' home first. Her parents do not speak English. We all got along very well. We toured their farm and then went to the Krehbiel farm.

Another view 

This is the first view we had as we were driving up the road.

This continues to be a working farm. The people that live there now are renting it. The same people are also farming Erika's parents' farm. Erika's father, Hans, helps out there at the farm and also they have some calves that Hans takes care of at his place. Plus other chores. Hans is 80 and Gertrud (her mother) is 72. They both are still very active and do a lot of things around the farm. Gertrud told us that a housewife's work is never done. Erika is the youngest of 5 children, all boys but her.

This is the side of the house, Notice the flowers.

Hans is talking with the farmer's wife that lives there now.

This is around the back of the house.

In Switzerland, the houses and barns are connected. This one is no different. Where the white car is, the house continues and the barn is connected. I can't imagine that as this is different than what I grew up with.

I also can imagine that it would help heat the house, I would also think you'd be able to hear the cows at night. The cows in Switzerland wear cowbells around their necks. The milk cows do not have the bells on. It would be too loud in the barn, and since they keep them in the barn overnight, they wouldn't be able to eat very well either. Let me show you a couple more pics then I'll explain a little more.

The cows on their way in the barn to be milked.

In the barn, waiting their turn.

The milk flows into a small tank. They do not have big bulk tanks like we know, because the milk trucks couldn't get up the roads/lanes. They take the tanks to the dairy each day. The name on the barn and equipment said "DeLaval", which is the same name as the equipment that Dad used on our farm. Isn't that something?

They tie up the cow tails after they wash their tails off.  You'll notice the straw on the floor, they keep their cows in the barn overnight and milk them in the morning and then they are let out. Notice the man here putting on the milker. He has a stool that has one leg on it, the stool is strapped to himself so he can sit down on it to put the milkers on. I have been trying to think what my Dad used but I don't remember, and maybe he just squatted down.

Small tank that they use to haul milk to the dairy.

Mearl & I in front of the barn. 

Angie & Mearl in front of the barn.

I told Erika that the sights and smells of the farm are the same anywhere. I asked her to tell her Dad, Hans, that I grew up on a farm and certainly remembered the smells. Again, as I've written before, just walking these grounds where are ancestors walked and seeing the way they lived as been a very special time. Meeting Erika and her family was very special, although, we couldn't communicate very well. Mearl & I both felt a kindred spirit here and we were graciously invited into their home. Gertrud fed us a very delicious dessert the first time we were there. Today, Mearl was right, they had soup ready for us when we got there and we sat down and ate with them. It was delicious also and we had a great time. They have asked us to come back anytime. Erika's brother, Martin, whom we met the last time, said to us, "Our home is yours, please come back."

Neighbors down the hill. 

Another view down the hill.

Neighbors as you look from the front of the house.

One other side note, then we'll leave the farm! Angie (Mearl's daughter) is traveling with us for these last few days. Gertrud rode her bike part of the way up to the Krehbiel farm. Angie and Mearl went back and convinced Gertrud to ride in the car and Angie rode her bike. We didn't think Gertrud would accept it, but she did. Gertrud also accepted the ride back to her house and Angie rode the bike. I'll put a picture of Angie riding the bike.

Angie riding up the hill!!!

And she zooms on by me!!! Isn't the countryside beautiful?

I hope you've enjoyed the time at the Krehbiel homestead as much as we did!!!

Thanks for journeying with us!!

Sharon (Grabill) McMillan