Influencer posts overwhelm Bavarian family farm

Social media posts have brought so many visitors to the Reitsberger Hof experiential farm in Vaterstetten that its operators say they can barely manage the crowds, BR reported. They are asking influencers to coordinate with the family before promoting the farm.

After posts about the farm appear on Instagram, parking spaces fill up and visitors leave their cars on the road and under the apple trees. The family also faces increased pressure on its toilets and more litter.

“We are getting far more visitors than usual, and you notice it especially at weekends,” owner Anna Link told BR. Good weather can make the situation worse, as the family suspects another social media post has attracted a large crowd.

The farm, located on the outskirts of Vaterstetten in the Ebersberg district, welcomes visitors almost every day. Guests can see cows, pigs, sheep, chickens, geese, horses and ponies, walk through the meadows and eat at the restaurant. The farm also has a riding school, a bakery and a cider press.

The Reitsberger Hof has been in the family for more than 200 years. But its restaurant and other facilities have limited capacity. Link recently published a post asking content creators and influencers to contact the farm in advance.

She said influencers had reported on the farm three times in a row without asking permission. Advance notice would allow the family to arrange additional staff or set up another stand to prepare for more visitors and their needs.

The response to the post was largely positive. Some creators also contacted the Reitsberger family directly.

Carina Pitzuch, who has around 70,000 Instagram followers, said she understood the family’s concerns. Her account reviews destinations for families with young children. She said she normally contacts venues in advance, introduces herself and her account, explains her plans and obtains permission to film.

However, Pitzuch said this was not always standard practice. Social media posts can leave popular destinations overcrowded and can sometimes spread incorrect information. She is increasingly asked to correct false information posted through her account.

The Link family hopes influencers will take the farm’s situation into account so it can continue operating its open farm concept, developed by Anna Link’s father 31 years ago.