Municipal utilities support Mainbogen sheep farm
02.07.2020 – Stadtwerke Offenbach is committed to improving the quality of life in the city - and is continuing to expand this commitment. Geschäftsfeld Mobilität is switching to electric buses from the end of 2020, and more and more vehicles at Stadtservice are also running on electricity. The Geschäftsfeld Immobilien business area, whose port development has won awards for its sustainability, is building environmentally friendly schools and daycare centers made of wood, and guests have been celebrating plastic-free at the Capitol for ten years. Stadtwerke Offenbach is now also promoting landscape conservation and biodiversity in Offenbach by supporting the Mainbogen sheep farm with €3,000 from July 2020.
"Our aim is to create added value for the citizens of Offenbach in addition to providing services of general interest," says Stadtwerke Managing Director Peter Walther. "As a municipal utility, we are firmly rooted in the region and take care of the people - that goes far beyond our mandatory tasks." With its donation and sponsoring activities (total budget 2020: 320,000 euros), Stadtwerke has a lasting impact on society.
Shepherdess with a full-time job
How did Stadtwerke Offenbach come across the sheep? Melanie Brost, shepherdess of the Mainbogen sheep farm, has been employed by SOH in the HR department since the end of 2018. "The fact that she is so committed to looking after her flock and maintaining the landscape in Offenbach alongside her full-time job with us really impressed me," reports Walther. The grazing of the Mainbogen and other urban areas by sheep protects nature from scrub encroachment and promotes species-rich flora and fauna, also thanks to the natural fertilizer.
The herd, which is currently "mowing" an area on Bieberer Berg, currently has 56 sheep and four shepherd dogs. In the medium term, Melanie Brost would like to take in another 100 sheep and also sell products such as meat and possibly milk. With the Stadtwerke donation of 3,000 euros, which was recently handed over, the 27-year-old will primarily pay for the winter feed for her animals. "My current winter quarters have become too small for the growing herd," she explains, "so I've asked the city for a plot of land where we can put up a round-arched shed during the cold season."
Godfather lamb goes by the name of Tilda
In addition to the ecological benefits, the importance of the sheep for society should not be underestimated: "The people in Offenbach are very friendly towards me," says the shepherdess. They describe the presence of her flock as "light in times of corona" and help move the animals, which move to a new area every two weeks. Within two months, the Mainbogen sheep farm's Facebook page had more than 1,200 followers - and provided all the animals with loving godmothers and godfathers.
Peter Walther also enjoyed the idyllic on-site meeting with the flock of sheep and christened the Stadtwerke's sponsored sheep, a six-month-old Merino lamb, Tilda. "Being close to animals is simply good for you," said the Managing Director, who is already looking forward to more lasting encounters.
