Hofladen des Jahres 2026 (Farm Store of the Year 2026):
Berries, Delights, Clarity, and Great Entertainment

The Hof Moorhörn in Passade, Schleswig-Holstein; the GenussBauernhof Hillebrand in Premstätten, Styria, Austria; and James Farm in Hörup, Schleswig-Holstein, are the Hofladen des Jahres 2026 (Farm Store of the Year 2026). The “HOFdirekt 24/7 Hofstar” award goes to “Bestes vom Elbdeich” in Hamburg-Moorburg.
For the fifth time, the trade journals “HOFdirekt” and “top agrar” have presented this prestigious award, thereby recognizing the creativity, drive, and dedication of direct-to-consumer farmers. A total of 138 farms from German-speaking countries—more than in any previous call for entries—applied for the award.

1st Place: Hof Moorhörn – Berries with a Vision
Gaby and Hauke Klindt from Passade won over the judges with a concept that puts berries front and center—while also giving them many new applications. On 30 ha, they grow strawberries, raspberries, black currants, gooseberries, and jostaberries. Apricots are now part of their crop rotation as well.
In the farm store—which was renovated and reopened in 2025—the fruits are sold fresh, as spreads, juices, and syrups, or freeze-dried. Their own berries are also used to make granola, chocolate, honey, and ice cream. A farm café, regional products from the “Feinheimisch” network, and Nordic gift ideas make the Moorhörn Farm a place where regional flavors shine in all their diversity.

2nd Place: GenussBauernhof Hillebrand – Gourmet Delights with Depth
Sandra and Markus Hillebrand stand for: “Better. Regional. Delight.” They combine farming, a farm store, a café, a cooking school, and educational programs into an experience for all the senses. Around 40 varieties of vegetables and lettuces are grown on the farm. Specialties include the Grazer Krauthäuptel and Premstättner sauerkraut, both produced on-site.
More than 3,000 products from around 140 regional producers round out the selection. Farm tours, workshops, cooking classes, and events show where food is grown and how it’s processed. At the GenussCafé, shopping, socializing, and good food all come together in one place.

3rd Place: James Farm – Farming with a View
At the James Farm Shop in Hörup, visitors are welcome to take a look around. Large windows offer a clear view of the production process. The farm includes a cheese dairy, a butcher shop, and a slaughterhouse, as well as about 1,000 laying hens. Products on offer include cheese made from the farm’s own milk, meat and sausage products, eggs, and their own FARM REBLS beer. Farm tours, cheese-making workshops, events, and breakfast options make the farm a place where agriculture becomes visible and can be experienced firsthand.

“HOFdirekt 24/7 Hofstar”: Bestes vom Elbdeich
The 24/7 Hofstar award goes to Isabell Ecks and her family from Hamburg-Moorburg. Their self-service farm store is open around the clock and operates entirely digitally: hold your card up to the reader, open the door, scan the products, and pay cashless.
The “Chicken Cinema” provides a special “aha” moment. From real movie theater seats, visitors can watch the chickens through a large window. The concept combines hassle-free shopping with an experience that both children and adults will remember.

Background:
“HOFdirekt” is the trade publication for direct marketing and provides specialized information and practical tips six times a year for farmers engaged in direct marketing in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. “top agrar” is the leading agricultural magazine in the German-speaking world and delivers a wealth of knowledge on all aspects of agriculture every month. Both magazines are published by Landwirtschaftsverlag Münster. Together, they presented the “Hofladen des Jahres” award for the fifth time this year.
138 direct marketers from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland had applied for this award. Test purchases and on-site visits were conducted at a total of 15 of these farms, based on which an expert jury selected the winners.

Press Contact
Ute Heiman, Editorial Staff HOFdirekt
Hülsebrockstr. 2–8,
48165 Münster
Tel. +49 2501 801 8330
ute.heimann@wochenblatt.com

About Landwirtschaftsverlag
Landwirtschaftsverlag Münster, with its media and service offerings in the fields of agriculture, food, and rural life, ranks among the top ten German specialty publishers in terms of revenue, with total revenue exceeding 135 million euros.
The group employs more than 900 people in Münster and at its other locations in Germany, Poland, Austria, and the Netherlands.