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Valio People

Recycling at an organic dairy farm in Southwest Finland

Recycling at an organic dairy farm in Southwest Finland

The first barn at the Uusitalo farm in Lieto was built in 1929 and the now organic operation has gained a well-earned reputation for recycling. The cows enjoy shelter outdoors under structures built from bus stops that once graced Finland’s former capital city of Turku.

Uusitalo farm is run by husband and wife team Jukka and Sinikka Tuominen.

I’d been working in cattle care and as a farmer’s locum since I was young, says Sinikka. While I’ve tried other jobs it was always likely that my love of animals would bring me back to the land. So when I met my husband Jukka, I was delighted to join him on the Tuominen family farm.

Living your life

The day generally starts at around half past six or seven o’clock and ends when the work’s done. We make two or three visits to the barns, each of about three hours,and the rest of the day is spent in the fields and on paperwork.The cows keep us busy for six to seven hours and longer still if something unusual crops up.

It’s a way of life, not an eight-to-four job. We do what needs to be done and when, living to the daily rhythm of the cows. A farm demands commitment and long hours but brings its own rewards. It’s great to be able to work where we call home and to be tending animals.

We do try to take a vacation twice a year, and enjoy travelling on business and attending professional events such as agriculture fairs.

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