Transfarming Switzerland
by Sabina Diethelm, Thomas Machowicz and Shelley Sunjka
Photography by Sabina Diethelm
Produced on assignment for We Animals Media
A three-month-old calf stands inside the barn on a Swiss veal farm. Although farmer Marianne Amrein keeps his mother on the same farm, the farm separated him from her immediately after his birth. Marianne feeds him only part of his mother’s milk and will send him to slaughter when he is six months old. Hubeli, Willisau, Lucerne, Switzerland, 2022. Sabina Diethelm / We Animals Media
With its picturesque landscapes of mountains, alpine pastures and traditional family farms, Switzerland has long been admired for its rural beauty.
The nine cows of Corinne Hadorn's "ausmelk" farm in Bern, Switzerland graze in the pasture. A milk truck drives behind them in the background, picking up milk collected from cows from various farms in the area. "Ausmelk" farms use cows no longer considered productive enough to meet Swiss dairy industry standards. Here, these cows will be "milked out" for a year and then sent to slaughter. Oberbutzberg 4, Bleienbach, Bern, Switzerland, 2022. Sabina Diethelm / We Animals Media
Switzerland Tourism advertises scenes of cows grazing on lush meadows, reinforcing the country’s reputation as a land of milk, chocolate and cheese. But behind these idyllic images lies a different reality; one of exploitation and suffering of millions of animals kept for the production of meat and dairy products.
But what happens when the farmers themselves can no longer stand this reality, no longer want to exploit and kill animals and are searching for a way out?
In April 2022, filmmakers and photographers Thomas Machowicz and Sabina Diethelm visited Switzerland on assignment for We Animals Media in order to photograph and create a documentary film about the work of one extraordinary woman who has made it her life's mission to reimagine traditional farming practices.
Her name is Sarah Heiligtag and she helps farmers transition from livestock farming to plant-based, vegan farming. She assists them in building sanctuaries where animals are no longer treated as commodities but as sentient beings with the right to live free from harm.
Sarah Heiligtag holds Caroline, a rescued chicken, in her arms as she interacts with piglet Lars in the yard at Hof Narr in Hinteregg, Switzerland. Hof Narr is a vegan farm and animal sanctuary where chickens, ducks, cats, pigs, sheep, goats, horses and other farmed animals are free to roam and live out their natural lives without exploitation. Hof Narr, Hinteregg, Zurich, Switzerland, 2022. Sabina Diethelm / We Animals Media
A chicken leaps down from a fence at Hof Narr, a vegan farm and animal sanctuary in Hinteregg, Switzerland founded by Sarah Heiligtag and her husband. At Hof Narr, the meadow in front of the farmhouse, where Sarah, her husband and two children live, is shared by the two baby pigs, Lars and Rosalie, as well as rescued turkeys, ducks, and chickens. Hof Narr, Hinteregg, Zurich, Switzerland, 2022. Sabina Diethelm / We Animals Media
A volunteer kisses one of the resident goats at Hof Narr, a vegan farm and animal sanctuary in Hinteregg, Switzerland. Volunteers share that they like to be with the animals and find it a meaningful break from their regular week to work for a good cause. Hof Narr, Hinteregg, Zurich, Switzerland, 2022. Sabina Diethelm / We Animals Media
“My ‘why’ started when I was a child. I love animals and I always tried to help them in one way or another.”
- Sarah Heiligtag
As the founder of her own vegan farm and sanctuary “Hof Narr” and of the concept she termed “transfarmation”, Sarah recognized early on the environmental and ethical consequences of raising animals for food. Instead of just opposing traditional farming practices outright, she works with farmers who can no longer reconcile their actions with their values.
She advocates for a model of farming that benefits the entire ecosystem, but she doesn’t preach her way to farmers, she works with those who ask for help.
It all started when in 2013, Sarah and her husband leased a farm in Hinteregg near Zurich and transformed it into a vegan sanctuary. They called it “Lebenshof” - German for “Farm of Life.” They have provided a peaceful home to over 200 rescued animals, ranging from pigs and goats to horses and donkeys, to chicken and ducks, and they produce vegetables.
Her peaceful Lebenshof caught the attention of a farmer disillusioned with the cycle of animal exploitation. No longer willing to exploit animals, he sought her help to change his farm, too. This successful transformation sparked media attention and inspired more farmers to follow suit.
From there, it snowballed and by 2023, Sarah had helped more than 100 farms across Switzerland transition from animal-based farming to sustainable, vegan farming, turning farms into sanctuaries, with many others currently undergoing the same process.
Accompanied by Sarah, Thomas and Sabina traveled across the country to visit some of these farms; some have already made a successful transition, others are still in the early stages.
“I just realized that it was getting more and more difficult for me. Everytime I knew somebody would have to leave, a bull or a cow, I would not be able to sleep for a week and have this weight on my chest.”
- Selina Blaser
Our journey takes us to the Emmental Valley of Bern, Switzerland. Here, a traditional beef farm has become a vegan enterprise under the guidance of Sarah Heiligtag.
As a young couple, Selina and Adrian Blaser took over Adrian’s parents’ beef farm in 2020 and were facing a moral quandary from the outset. Selina in particular felt deeply troubled by the treatment of animals as commodities and could not reconcile with the practice of slaughtering calves once they reached so-called market size.
Her empathy was especially drawn to an older cow who had birthed 13 calves, and was due to be slaughtered soon. Selina’s desperate search for alternatives led her to Sarah Heiligtag and her transfarmation work.
Sarah stresses that the “transfarmation" process is more than a simple technical shift, it’s a deeply emotional journey for the people involved. Her work addresses not only the environmental and ethical implications of animal agriculture, but also the human struggles inherent in breaking away from tradition.
Most farmers take over the family business from their parents; a business which has been passed down from generation to generation, and it is not easy for them to break with family traditions and practices. This was the case for Selina and Adrian, too.
Selina Blaser of Lebenshof KuhErde, in Bowil, Switzerland. When Selina Blaser and her husband transformed their former beef farm into a vegan farm and sanctuary, Selina chose to name the farm "Lebenshof KuhErde." "Lebenshof" roughly translates to "farm of life" in the English language, and "KuhErde" plays on the German words "a herd of cows" and "earth". The name stands for KuhErde's newly established harmony of cultivation, nutrition, animal, and human welfare. Lebenshof KuhErde, Bowil, Bern, Switzerland, 2022. Sabina Diethelm / We Animals Media
Selina Blaser and Sarah Heiligtag visit the cows at Lebenshof KuhErde, a former beef farm in Bowil, Switzerland that was "tranfarmed" into a vegan farm and sanctuary. Though operated as a traditional farm by the family of Selina's husband Adrian for generations, Selina wanted to stop raising cattle on the farm for meat and sought the help of Sarah Heiligtag of Lebenshof Hof Narr to help her make the shift to convert the farm away from animal-based agriculture. Lebenshof KuhErde, Bowil, Bern, Switzerland, 2022. Sabina Diethelm / We Animals Media
However, in spite of all initial doubts and skepticism, particularly from Adrian’s family, in 2021, the Blasers converted their farm into a vegan sanctuary with Sarah’s assistance. This change meant that all the cows, once raised solely for consumption, are now allowed to live out their natural lives in health and peace. The farm now grows chickpeas in collaboration with a local Swiss hummus producer and also grows a variety of other vegetables.
Moreover, they’ve initiated an adoption program to support the animals living at the sanctuary through sponsorships. This sanctuary has become a haven not just for cows but for an array of animals including goats, chickens, rabbits, cats, and a dog, all coexisting in an environment built on respect and care.
Home-grown vegetables inside a bicycle basket at Lebenshof KuhErde in Bowil, Switzerland. This former beef farm fully "transfarmed" into a vegan farm in 2021 with the help of Sarah Heiligtag of Lebenshof Hoff Narr. As part of a more sustainable lifestyle, the Blaser family, who own KuhErde, grow their own vegetables for home consumption on the farm. Lebenshof KuhErde, Bowil, Bern, Switzerland, 2022. Sabina Diethelm / We Animals Media
The farmhouse and the granary of KuhErde, a former beef farm and now vegan farm, in the Emmental Valley of Switzerland that had been run by owner Adrian Blaser's family for generations. These buildings were built in 1640. The landscape in rural Emmental in Switzerland is characterized by agriculture and many old, traditional farmhouses. Lebenshof KuhErde, Bowil, Bern, Switzerland, 2022. Sabina Diethelm / We Animals Media
A group of cows grazes in a green pasture at Lebenshof KuhErde in Bowil, Switzerland. Lebenshof KuhErde is a former beef farm that fully "transfarmed" into a vegan farm and sanctuary in 2021. The farm, now operated by Adrian and Selina Blaser, had been run by Adrian's family as a beef farm for several generations. The cows living here are Limousin and Charolais, which are typical French beef breeds, but they are no longer fattened for slaughter. The cows at KuhErde are leaner and healthier than their counterparts raised elsewhere for meat. Lebenshof KuhErde, Bowil, Bern, Switzerland, 2022. Sabina Diethelm / We Animals Media
Selina Blaser works in the greenhouse on her newly “transfarmed” vegan farm and sanctuary KuhErde in Bowil, Switzerland. Instead of raising cattle for beef, she and her husband now plant chickpeas in their fields for hummus production. The cows on the farm are no longer fed for the purposes of fattening for slaughter and remain on the farm as permanent residents. As part of a more sustainable lifestyle, the Blaser family also grows their own vegetables for home consumption on the farm. Lebenshof KuhErde, Bowil, Bern, Switzerland, 2022. Sabina Diethelm / We Animals Media
Lush green fields at Lebenshof KuhErde in the Emmental Valley, Switzerland. This former beef farm is operated by Adrian and Selina Blaser and fully "transfarmed" into a vegan farm in 2021 with the help of Sarah Heiligtag of Lebenshof Hoff Narr. KuhErde is surrounded by traditional farms that raise and produce veal, beef and dairy, continuing the cycle of animal use to earn income. Lebenshof KuhErde, Bowil, Bern, Switzerland, 2022. Sabina Diethelm / We Animals Media
“Since my grandfather did it, it was the way it is now and so that’s what I want to change now. For me, it’s simply not an option to continue like this because there are much better ways of keeping an animal.”
- Corinne Hadorn
While Selina and Adrian are a wonderful example of what can be achieved when a farmer has the support to make the ethical changes they want to, not every transfarmation goes so smoothly. Many farmers are confronted with old patterns of thinking that span generations and find it difficult to fight against what has always been considered “normal”.
Corinne Hadorn’s small operation in Bleienbach, in Bern is one such example. Unlike a typical dairy farm, Corinne’s farm is what is known as an “Ausmelk” farm, a German term meaning “milk out.”
Cows who cannot get pregnant or who can no longer meet dairy industry standards of producing enough milk are kept on her farm for approximately one more year of milking before finally being slaughtered.
Sarah describes this as a particularly cruel way of further exploiting animals that are already weak and often in poor health.
Tethered by the neck in a dark, cramped barn, the cows here have very little room to lie down or move at all. Strikingly thin and looking worn out and jaded, some of these cows are as young as two or three years old, their bodies exhausted by the demands of the dairy industry.
The nine dairy cows living at Corinne Hadorn’s "ausmelk" farm in Bern, Switzerland are tethered and stand in the same place with their tails tied up for most of the year. There is barely enough room for the larger animals to lie down, and they get sores on their legs from lying on the concrete floor. Corinne wants to transform the farm into a sanctuary and renovate and expand the barn, but does not know how to finance this project yet. Oberbutzberg 4, Bleienbach, Bern, Switzerland, 2022. Sabina Diethelm / We Animals Media
“The whole ‘life’, which I wouldn’t call life, before the killing is actually the worst.”
-Sarah Heiligtag
Corinne, who inherited the farm from her father, finds herself conflicted. Over time, Corinne has begun to feel uneasy about the way she was treating the animals in her care. She admits that she avoids learning the cows’ ages or how many calves they’ve had, just to distance herself from the emotional toll of the animals’ suffering. She goes as far as to say that she thinks the cows would be better off dead than in this place.
Corinne Hadorn took over this "ausmelk" farm in Bern, Switzerland from her father. The German term "ausmelken" literally translates to "milk out". When cows kept on a larger dairy farm do not produce enough milk, their milk quality is not considered good, or they are unable to become pregnant any longer, instead of going directly to a slaughterhouse, they come here to be "milked out" for another year before finally being sent to slaughter. Corinne has just started working with Sarah Heiligtag of Hof Narr to transform her farm into a sanctuary, with the possibility that these cows will not be sent to slaughter. Oberbutzberg 4, Bleienbach, Bern, Switzerland, 2022. Sabina Diethelm / We Animals Media
A milk chamber room on an "ausmelk" farm in Bern, Switzerland. After the cows are milked, the milk is collected into this room and later picked up by a milk transport vehicle. The nine cows who live at this dairy farm are here because they are no longer considered productive by Swiss dairy industry standards. At this farm, they are "milked out" for a year and then sent to slaughter. Oberbutzberg 4, Bleienbach, Bern, Switzerland, 2022. Sabina Diethelm / We Animals Media
Two-year-old Chiara is the youngest of nine dairy cows living on a small, family-run "ausmelk" farm in Bern, Switzerland. Chiara came to this farm at such a young age because she was already no longer considered fully productive by Swiss dairy industry standards. She is noticeably thin, and here, instead of being allowed to recover, she is "milked out" for another year before being slaughtered. Oberbutzberg 4, Bleienbach, Bern, Switzerland, 2022. Sabina Diethelm / We Animals Media
Flora, a Holstein-Friesian dairy cow, lies tied up in a barn at an "ausmelk" farm in Bern, Switzerland. Her stall is too small for her and her legs bear lesions because she has to stay in the barn at this spot almost all year round. The farm owner, Corinne Hadorn, wants to transform the farm into a sanctuary and renovate the barn. It is not clear whether or not Flora will live to see the change. Oberbutzberg 4, Bleienbach, Bern, Switzerland, 2022. Sabina Diethelm / We Animals Media
Two sets of milking machine teat cups, which are used to collect the milk from cows, hang inside a milk chamber room on an "ausmelk" farm in Bern, Switzerland. After the milk is collected from the cows it is picked up by a milk transport vehicle. The nine cows who live at this dairy farm are here because they are no longer considered productive by Swiss dairy industry standards. At this farm, they are "milked out" for a year and then sent to slaughter. Oberbutzberg 4, Bleienbach, Bern, Switzerland, 2022. Sabina Diethelm / We Animals Media
Searching for alternatives, she reached out to Sarah Heiligtag, hoping to turn her farm into a sanctuary. Yet, despite her desire for change, Corinne faces significant obstacles. Her family does not support her decision to move away from animal farming, and the weight of generations of tradition weighs heavily on her. Also, she doesn’t have the financial means to renovate and enlarge the old, dark barn.
In this barn at an "ausmelk" dairy farm in Bern, Switzerland, the cows are tethered and stand in the same place with their tails tied up for most of the year. Though the barn is old and dark, and there is barely enough room for the larger animals to lie down,the barn meets the minimum requirements of the Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office, says farm owner Corinne Hadorn. Corinne would like to renovate and expand the barn, but it is not clear whether or not she will be able to finance this project. At an ausmelk farm, the cows considered by Swiss dairy standards to be of low production quality are "milked out" for one final year before being sent to slaughter. Oberbutzberg 4, Bleienbach, Bern, Switzerland, 2022. Sabina Diethelm / We Animals Media
Although Sarah’s organization offers financial assistance for farmers looking to transition, the emotional and social challenges can be just as significant as the economic ones. For Corinne, the lack of support from her family is a major source of doubt, making the path forward unclear. According to Sarah, this is not uncommon. Many farmers who approach her are caught in a similar struggle.
Much of the transfarmation process is, as Sarah describes it, "peace work" - helping farmers like Corinne navigate the emotional journey of leaving behind deeply ingrained practices in favor of more compassionate, sustainable farming.
A three-month-old calf stands inside the barn on a Swiss veal farm. Although farmer Marianne Amrein keeps his mother on the same farm, the farm separated him from her immediately after his birth. Marianne feeds him only part of his mother’s milk and will send him to slaughter when he is six months old. Hubeli, Willisau, Lucerne, Switzerland, 2022. Sabina Diethelm / We Animals Media
The next farm we visit is a small veal farm, nestled between Lucerne and Bern, run by Marianne Amrein.
The farm has been in her family for generations and is another example of how hard it is for some farmers to make this transition. She inherited the farm from her father, continuing the traditional veal farm practices of separating the calves from their mothers at birth and bottle-feeding them along with other calves bought at auctions.
After growing up separated from their mothers, they are often weak, sick and treated with antibiotics. Then the calves are sent to slaughter at just six months old.
Seeking more compassionate alternatives, Marianne reached out to Sarah for help, leading to the rescue of a mother cow and her calf in a small act of kindness that hinted at the possibility of change.
Despite Marianne's initial interest in exploring more humane farming methods, she later decided to rent out her farm to a neighbor and move to the city to study social work. Her departure means that the farm is likely to continue as a veal operation under its new management.
Three-month-old calves stand in an outdoor enclosure at the Vorhubeli veal farm in Switzerland. Some calves were born here, and the farm buys others. The farm raises them with milk from the mother cows, who live separately from their calves on the same farm. The calves have already lived half their lives and will be slaughtered when they are only six months old. Hubeli, Willisau, Lucerne, Switzerland, 2022. Sabina Diethelm / We Animals Media
Several of the nine mother cows at Marianne Amrein’s small-scale veal farm stand inside tie stalls. The cows are tethered by their necks and tails inside their stalls, restricting their movement to standing or lying in one spot. Cows on this farm stay as long as they continue to become pregnant, usually until they are approximately nine years of age. Once the cows can no longer become pregnant, the farm sends them to slaughter. Hubeli, Willisau, Lucerne, Switzerland, 2022. Sabina Diethelm / We Animals Media
Farmer Marianne Amrein attaches a milking machine to a cow's udder at her small-scale veal farm in Switzerland. Cows on this farm stay as long as they continue to become pregnant, usually until they are approximately nine years of age. Once the cows can no longer become pregnant, the farm sends them to slaughter. Hubeli, Willisau, Lucerne, Switzerland, 2022. Sabina Diethelm / We Animals Media
Three-month-old calves stand in an outdoor enclosure at the Vorhubeli veal farm in Switzerland. Some calves were born here, and the farm buys others. The farm raises them with milk from the mother cows, who live separately from their calves on the same farm. The calves have already lived half their lives and will be slaughtered when they are only six months old. Hubeli, Willisau, Lucerne, Switzerland, 2022. Sabina Diethelm / We Animals Media
“Once the farmers allow their feelings or their sadness to really be there and they decide to do a transfarmation there is a patch where it is really hard for them because they are still in the system and until they are out all these decisions have to be made; which animal to rescue, which not, and it’s quite a heavy way for a while.”
- Sarah Heiligtag
An inspiring example of change comes from Naturhof Waltwil, an egg farm located in the canton of Bern, Switzerland. As of 2022, the farm was home to 2,000 chickens, producing organic eggs that meet Switzerland’s highest standards. With organic eggs making up 25 percent of the Swiss market, Naturhof Waltwil was part of an industry that emphasized eco-friendly practices, however, Thomas Reinhard and his partner Fabienne Meier still began to question whether their methods were truly sustainable.
Laying hens at Waltwil Naturhof 4, a Swiss organic egg farm run by Thomas Reinhard and Fabienne Meier, sleep, eat and lay eggs in a multi-level aviary. After one year, the hens are usually killed and replaced because their laying performance decreases. Thomas and Fabienne want to get out of egg production and contacted Sarah Heiligtag to undertake a “transfarmation” and turn the farm into a vegan farm, sanctuary and educational space. Sarah Heiligtag is the Founder of Hof Narr and a pioneer of Transfarmation in Europe. Naturhof Waltwil 4, Wengi bei Büren, Bern, Switzerland, 2022. Sabina Diethelm / We Animals Media
While industry standard requires them to have at least 2000 chickens in order to find wholesale buyers, they soon noticed that when they had only 200 chickens, the birds were far healthier and the soil was a lot healthier, too.
Keeping so many chickens in a confined space means more diseases, more antibiotics for the animals and also more stress, which in turn can lead to fights and even cannibalism among the animals.
Another sad reality of the egg industry is that all laying hens are culled after just one year due to reduced performance. As Fabienne and Thomas’s awareness grew and as they began to see the chickens as sentient beings deserving of better treatment, things became increasingly difficult to bear for them.
Thomas Reinhard of Waltwil Naturhof 4, an organic egg farm, shows the white earlobe of a laying hen, which is the same color as the eggs she will lay. Thomas took over the farm from his parents, but quickly realised that the exploitation of animals for egg production did not correspond with his values. Together with his partner Fabienne, they contacted Sarah Heiligtag to undertake a “transfarmation” and turn the farm into a vegan farm, sanctuary and educational space. Sarah Heiligtag is the Founder of Hof Narr and a pioneer of Transfarmation in Europe. Naturhof Waltwil 4, Wengi bei Büren, Bern, Switzerland, 2022. Sabina Diethelm / We Animals Media
Eggs stacked in cartons at Naturhof Waltwil 4, an organic egg farm in Switzerland. The re-selling distributor will collect only eggs with the right size, color and shape. Before collection, suitable eggs are stamped with their origin, hen housing system type, producer code, and laying date. On this farm, owners Thomas Reinhard and his partner Fabienne Meier keep 2,000 laying hens in a free-range system. Naturhof Waltwil 4, Wengi bei Büren, Bern, Switzerland, 2022. Sabina Diethelm / We Animals Media
“They have secured our financial survival for a year and now in return they are slaughtered. Let’s say even if the way we keep them here was really great and perfect, it would still bother us that we have to slaughter the chickens every year.”
- Fabienne Meier
Feeling trapped by the strict demands of the industry, Thomas and Fabienne found themselves in search of a solution. It was only after seeing a report on Sarah Heiligtag’s work that they felt they had a way out. Encouraged by the story of another farm that had transitioned away from animal agriculture, they reached out to Sarah for guidance. Although she had primarily worked with dairy, beef, and pig farms, Sarah agreed to help Naturhof Waltwil to undergo its own transition.
Laying hens roam throughout an outdoor pasture at Waltwil Naturhof 4, a Swiss organic egg farm run by Thomas Reinhard and Fabienne Meier. On this farm, the chickens have access to the outdoors every day. In Switzerland, approximately 25 percent of all egg production is according to organic standards. Naturhof Waltwil 4, Wengi bei Büren, Bern, Switzerland, 2022. Sabina Diethelm / We Animals Media
Thomas and Fabienne planned to end egg production altogether, rehoming most of their chickens while keeping about 200 on the farm to live out their natural lives. Today, Naturhof Waltwil not only offers animal sponsorships but also educational programs aimed at raising awareness about the interconnectedness of humans, animals, and the environment. Through this transition, Thomas and Fabienne are reshaping their farm into a model of sustainability and empathy, proving that even within the deeply entrenched practices of the egg industry, change is possible.
“From the beginning, I told Beat I don’t want to work here because I would build a relationship with the animals and it would be difficult for me when the animals had to go to slaughter”
- Claudia Troxler
Lebenshof Aurelio, a farm situated in Büron, canton of Lucerne, Switzerland, underwent a profound transfarmation in 2020, transitioning from a traditional dairy and pig farm to a vegan farm and animal sanctuary.
Beat Troxler, a fourth-generation farmer, initially managed his inherited family farm according to longstanding practices prevalent among Swiss family farms, without questioning it too much.
The course of Beat’s life and the destiny of Lebenshof Aurelio shifted dramatically when he met his future wife, Claudia.
Claudia begged him to let her adopt one of the piglets, which she had grown particularly fond of as she passed the pigsty every day on her dog walks and Beat agreed.
A friendship developed between Beat and Claudia, and soon they fell in love and became a couple.
Through the time they spent together and intensive conversations, Beat gradually began to see that pigs and cows are sentient beings who do not deserve to be exploited.
If one piglet is worth saving, aren't they all?
Claudia knew from the very beginning that she wouldn’t be able to help him on the farm and participate in the exploitation of animals.
Claudia and Beat Troxler watch as Sarah Heiligtag feeds carrots to one of the goat and one of the pig residents at Lebenshof Aurelio, in Lucerne, Switzerland. With the help of Sarah Heiligtag, Lebenshof Aurelio was able to transform from a dairy and pig farm to a vegan farm and sanctuary. Lebenshof Aurelio, Buron, Lucerne, Switzerland, 2022. Sabina Diethelm / We Animals Media
Claudia's compassionate nature left a deep impression on Beat and his whole way of thinking slowly began to change too. Interestingly enough, he says that he actually remembers thinking the same way as Claudia when he was child and then simply had to learn and accept “that it's just the way you do it and that's how a farm works”.
In a way, Claudia awakened something in him that had always been there.
Naming their sanctuary after the first calf they raised that wasn’t separated from his mother, Claudia and Beat redefined their farming practices to focus on the welfare of their animals.
The Troxlers rehomed 200 pigs and focused on providing a peaceful life for the remaining animals. Two pigs, seven alpacas, two pygmy goats, 55 cows, several chickens, and a rooster now lead a happy and peaceful life on Lebenshof Aurelio.
Today, Lebenshof Aurelio is not just a sanctuary but also an educational center. Claudia and Beat offer tours that enlighten the public about sustainable farming practices and animal welfare.
They have found a way to sustain their operations financially through animal sponsorships and the production of oat milk, using the pure spring water and organic oats available on their farm.
Cows graze in the lush green pasture at Lebenshof Aurelio, a farm animal sanctuary in Lucerne, Switzerland. Lebenshof Aurelio is a former farm, but the cows are no longer milked and mother cows and their calves can stay together. The animals live on the farm without the requirement to serve a human purpose. Sanctuary owner Beat Troxler says that passerby notice a difference in the animals' demeanor and enjoy stopping by to watch them. Lebenshof Aurelio, Buron, Lucerne, Switzerland, 2022. Sabina Diethelm / We Animals Media
Beat and Claudia Troxler, owners of Lebenshof Aurelio, a farm animal sanctuary in Lucerne, Switzerland, display their matching tattoos. Lebenshof Aurelio is a former farm that has recently "transfarmed" into a sanctuary. To symbolise their love for animals and for each other, Claudia and Beat got matching tattoos of Felix, the pig that sparked the whole process of rethinking the way animals are treated and the eventual "transfarming" of their farm into a place that no longer exploits animals. Lebenshof Aurelio, Buron, Lucerne, Switzerland, 2022. Sabina Diethelm / We Animals Media
Claudia Troxler checks on Felix, a domestic pig, who is sleeping in the barn at Lebenshof Aurelio, in Lucerne, Switzerland. Lebenshof Aurelio is a former dairy and pig farm owned by Beat and Claudia Troxler that they "transfarmed" into a vegan farm and sanctuary. When Beat Troxler was still running the farm alone as a pig and milk farm, Claudia passed the pig barn every day and fell in love with Felix when he was still a piglet. It was because of Felix that Claudia came to meet Beat, and also what eventually sparked the whole transformation process. Lebenshof Aurelio, Buron, Lucerne, Switzerland, 2022. Sabina Diethelm / We Animals Media
Sanctuary owners Beat and Claudia Troxler spend time with the cows, llamas and an alpaca outside in a pasture at Lebenshof Aurelio, a farm animal sanctuary in Lucerne, Switzerland. Lebenshof Aurelio is a former farm that has recently "transfarmed" into a sanctuary. "Lebenshof" is a German word that loosely translates to "farm of life". Lebenshof Aurelio, Buron, Lucerne, Switzerland, 2022. Sabina Diethelm / We Animals Media
These inspiring stories of human courage and empathy demonstrate that agriculture can thrive without violence.
Sarah’s work not only shows us that a deep personal connection to animals and the land can redefine farming as an act of stewardship, but it also leads to practices that honor animal welfare, protect the environment, and educate the community about the value of life in all its forms.
To learn more about Sarah Heiligtag and the farmers she works with, watch the award winning film Transfarming Switzerland on the We Animal’s Media YouTube page, and read an interview with the filmmakers on the We Animals Media website.
Sarah Heiligtag runs with piglets Rosalie and Lars from the barn and across the yard to the meadow they share with rescued ducks, turkeys, and chickens at Hof Narr, a vegan farm and animal sanctuary in Hinteregg, Switzerland. Hof Narr, Hinteregg, Zurich, Switzerland, 2022. Sabina Diethelm / We Animals Media
