Close up portraits

What are you busy with? What are you working on at the moment?

At the moment I am working on my thesis at the Institute for Agricultural engineering at the University of Hohenheim. I tackle the problem describing the processes in a combine harvester in a mathematical manner to then be able to simulate the processes on a computer. The appealing part of this topic is on the one hand to try and “squeeze” reality into figures and numbers and on the other hand to make these figures and number comprehendible to a computer to then reproduce reality. When both computer and the user consider the same as reality, this it then the greatest moment of joy!

 What made you decide to study agriculture or engineering?

I wanted to study a technical oriented course. My choice to go into agricultural engineering was influenced by various factors. Most of all, it was my enthusiasm for this versatile technology, which has to function under most difficult conditions and has to withstand extraordinary burdens. I already found this fascinating when I was a child.

 What is your personal background? What influence did your family background have on your decision?

I grew up in the countryside. My grandparents had a small farm on a part-time basis. The main influence to go into Ag machinery was my time of community service where I worked in a farm, which belonged to a children’s home.

 What do you like most about your course?

I like the variety of possibilities and specifications of engineering, the wide range of focus topics and the later great job opportunities. I like the down-to-earthiness of ag engineers.

 How did you find out about the CLAAS Foundation and the Helmut Claas Scholarship?

My supervisor has drawn my attention to the Helmut Claas-Scholarship and the CLAAS Foundation. For my application the information on the CLAAS Foundation’s homepage was very helpful and also the staff at the Ag engineering institute supported a great deal.

 How do you think agriculture will change in the future?

The farm size will continuously get bigger and bigger. Most of all in the area of bio energy which will grow in importance. What today is only an incidental earning for a farmer, will in future be a means of livelihood and maybe even lead to a separation of agriculture into food production and energy production. In any case, this trend does put extra focus on the necessity of intensive land usage and the demand of efficient machine use.

 What do you plan to do when you have finished studying?

I would like to start as an engineer in a R&D department in an ag machinery company.

 What do you like doing when you are not studying agricultural science or agricultural engineering?

I have been playing the organ for many years and have been organist at my parish church for nearly 10 years now. Whilst playing music in church I can “free my mind” perfectly. Apart from that, I have a small carpenter’s shop where I have already produce one or the other furniture.

What are you working on at the moment?

I am currently working on a Masters in Agricultural Science, majoring in Agricultural Engineering. I'm in my second term. I am also working with the “Vision Heuchelberg” young vintners project on preparing for the presentation of our first wine.

What made you decide to study agriculture?

When I finished school, I knew that I wanted to do something relating to farming. By the end of my first two years at university, I was sure that Agricultural Engineering was perfect for me.

What influence did your family background have on your decision?

My family runs an arable and wine- making farm in Baden-Württemberg. So I grew up with farming from an early age, and became more passionate about it as I got older.

What do you like most about your course?

The foundation course is very flexible. Even at the major stage, there is a wide range of subjects, including livestock management systems, irrigation, use of sustainable materials, drying and agricultural machinery for crop farming, which is my favourite subject.

How did you find out about the CLAAS Foundation and the Helmut Claas Scholarship?

The supervisor for my bachelor's degree dissertation told me about the Helmut Claas Scholarship.

How do you think agriculture will change in the future?

I think the trend towards farms closing and increasing area per farm is set to continue. In areas with small structures like here in Baden-Württemberg, the structural changes will carry on, and quickly. The technical equipment in farms will become more important, and will need to perform better and become more reliable all the time.

What do you plan to do when you have finished studying?

After I graduate, I would like to work at an agricultural technology company. I can picture myself working in sales or product marketing.

What do you like to do when you are not studying agricultural science or agricultural engineering?

As well as agriculture, I am active in local politics and am a member of the Schwaigern town council. I am also passionate about sport, especially aero- wheels gymnastics

What are you busy with? What are you working on at the moment?

Doing my degree in Ag Engineering, attending my last lectures and do my preparations for my master thesis.

What made you decide to study agriculture or engineering?

Agriculture has always been fascinating me and to study agriculture is a so-called “measure for further education“ after my farm apprenticeship.

What is your personal background? What influence did your family background have on your decision?

My father works at the local cooperative. Already as a little boy I joined my father on his rides and later I started working there myself in my holidays. Moreover, we have got a small farm (sheep) where I used to help.

What do you like most about your course?

Interdisciplinarity, contacts into the industry, research and practicability.

How did you find out about the CLAAS Foundation and the Helmut Claas Scholarship?

By means of a flyer and our supervisor Dr. Peter Wacker.

How do you think agriculture will change in the future?

Stronger entry of electronic auxiliary systems for driver’s support, improved Farm management systems which help the famer to make decisions. Apart from that the acreage for food production will minimize which makes higher efficiency necessary in many ways such as breeding, genetic engineering and process optimization. Agriculture will represent one part of decentralized energy supply.

What do you plan to do when you have finished studying?

Sales/Training in Ag Machinery or farm manager.

What do you like doing when you are not studying agricultural science or agricultural engineering?

Club life, bike tours, horse riding, cooking with friends, cinema.