Organic farm

Organic farm Gaija is a community nearby Ähtäri in the middle of Finland. The 10 ha grounds consist of fields, forest areas, farm buildings, animal enclosures and the lakeside hostel which is also our home.

Organic farming and environmental sustainability are close to our hearts. We strive to awaken the awareness of visitors to the harmonic relationship between man and nature. The Gaija gardens are naturally free from any chemicals, and the produce is both sold in our natureshop and used all year round in our kitchen.

We have a field with beans and vegetables, a herb garden, greenhouses, and more than 100 berrybushes right next to the hostel, which every year bears more fruit.

From late spring to harvest you are most welcome to become part of the community for some days or weeks, experiencing the benefits of working in the nature and living of homegrown vegetarian food. A unique chance to learn while having fun and making cultural exchanges with travellers from around globe!

Trainees and volunteers may assist in farming, gardening or both, working with animals in the old traditional ways can be a great pleasure and unique experience, as well as seeing how fast plants an grow in the short but powerful Finnish summer.
 
The old tradition of managing the landscape is a rare national cultural heritage. During the summer letting horses graze pastures gives endangered plants and insects a chance to live. We all try to maintain and enhance our knowledge of natural methods of farming and living in Finland.