In November 2024, the last section of the Elbe dyke, a good 50 kilometers long, was completed on the eastern side of the Elbe in the district of Stendal. Fred Janke also contributed to this. With his agricultural company, he specializes in water maintenance, landscape conservation, soil cultivation and reseeding - especially in dyke, landfill and road construction. District Administrator Patrick Puhlmann recently visited the company headquarters in Schönberg to find out what makes it so special, accompanied by Rüdiger Kloth, Mayor of Seehausen.
Planting and maintenance play an important role in the function of a dyke. The tenders state that native herbs and grasses with appropriate properties should be used. "The plants must not only be native to the region, but the seed must also come from the region. But it also has to be certified," explained Janke. This is exactly what he does on his farm as a seed propagator. He grows the plants, harvests the seeds using special technology and delivers them to a dealer in Bavaria. "The seeds are cleaned there. At the end, we get it back and use it," continues the farmer and landscaper. He also has special technology that can work professionally on sloping surfaces such as dykes.
During the interview, Janke showed his guests around the company premises, which he only moved into in the last few months. "We are now in the process of renovation," said Fred Janke, explaining his plans for the individual buildings. He also presented his technology and showed the seeds. The energy transition and future projects were discussed. Janke believes his business will be well utilized in the coming years. His diverse experience from various construction sectors makes him a sought-after contractor. "We work for all major companies, and in future we will also be working on the Autobahn 14," he says. Protective fencing and greening fall within his remit here.
"It's good to know and at the same time important to have someone with such specialist knowledge and the necessary technology in our district," emphasized Puhlmann during the interview. "Fred Janke and his team do things that are not commonplace in landscaping. The propagation of grasses and herbs alone requires a great deal of specialist knowledge that is not available in many places. The fact that they are now positioning themselves for the future with a new company site underlines the demand and importance of this niche," concluded the district administrator.