Far from the snow that settles in the north of Finland at this time of year, it is the rain that showers the southern coast. It is the end of October and the weather is mixed. Mud is settling everywhere in the pastures. Riitta's cows and goats are now going into the barn to spend the winter warm and dry. Laura, Riitta's daughter-in-law, welcomes us to the farm. She is one of the four members of the farm: Riitta, the head of the farm, her husband Jouni, who is responsible for the breeding of the animals, Katariina, who manages the cheese factory and Laura, whose speciality is communication and the sale of the farm's products.
Photo. The colorful barn
Photo. Green October pastures
Riitta is the "cheese-queen", as Laura calls her. Riitta initiated the creation of the farm "Saloniemen Juustola", which they bought with Jouni twenty years ago. Riitta and Jouni started with a few goats. Gradually, they built up a herd of 200 goats and 40 cows, all of which are from small local breeds. Riitta and Jouni's farm is like a conservatory where all the local breeds live in harmony! On the goat side, the Suomenvuohi breed represents with dignity the Finnish goat lineage. On the cow side, the herd consists mainly of West Finnish cows (Länsisuomenkarja) but also some Lappland cows (Pohjoisuomenkarja) and East Finnish cows (Itäsuomenkarja). Each breed has its own character traits and physical characteristics, but all have one thing in common: their excellent adaptation to the northern climate and harsh winters.
Photos from left to right. Suomenvuohi goats and West Finnish cows
Photo. The Suomenvuohi male goat on the farm
Just as the world was not created in a day, today's Saloniemen Juustola farm is the result of twenty years of development, creation and innovation, guided by Riitta's tumultuous and boundless spirit! Created from a few animals, the farm first built its herd and then set up its cheese factory in 2000. In 2010, the farm became an organic farm and is currently the only organic farm in the region. While all the products were previously sold in supermarkets, Riitta and Jouni set up their farm shop five years ago. When you enter the shop, it's a real Ali Baba's cave! You can find everything: a wide range of cheeses, mainly goudas, but also blue cheese and the traditional Leipäjuusto (squeaky cheese), yoghurts, ice cream, beef and goat meat, soaps made from whey, skins, caramel, honey and honeycomb... A non-exhaustive list of the infinite variations of the farm's products! Riitta was asked, not without laugh: "Is there anything you don't sell?" Riitta replied: "That's our goal, to use everything we can from our animals." Here we don't throw anything away. Even the young kids that don't survive are part of the "zero waste" operation, as their skins are used when possible. At the same time, the shop also sells local handicrafts, including woolen slippers and figurines. In brief, if the shop is always busy during its short opening hours, it is because it offers a wide variety of products, but also because it is a real pleasure for the eyes! Like a trip to the museum, in a way!
Mixed photos of the shop and farm products. 1. Entrance to the shop. 2. Cheese. 3. Old butter moulds. 4. Sheep's wool "goat" figurines. 5. Hides and skins. 6. Dog collars. 7. Pâtés.
The farm is the illustration of Riitta's unbridled creativity. Every year she starts making a new cheese and she doesn't forget to name it. Yes, every cheese has a name and a story! "Syrjähyppy" literally means "Jump" or "Swerve". This is the name given to one of Riitta's latest goat cheeses. A cheese that was not in the programme, a "deviation" from the path Riitta had set out for itself. A cheese that is difficult to handle, which is reminiscent of the stubborn behaviour of the goat, "which always jumps on the wrong side of the fence". This is the story of Syrjähyppy, an award-winning goat cheese from 2016 that is now popular in local restaurants. It goes without saying that such creative energy and diversity of production comes at a cost: here, time is for work! The quality and diversity of the products are the result of hard work. A work that Riitta welcomes with a laugh. "We are crazy !", she exclaims. But is there a limit to the craziness ? Not yet, we are told. A new project is underway: a few kilometres away from the farm, an old building dating from the 1800s is to be renovated and will in future be open to the public and, why not, offer a therapy activity!
Photo. Riitta at the shop
Did you know ?
- Squeaky cheese
Finland has its own traditional cheese, Leipäjuusto or cheese bread. Leipäjuusto is a cheese traditionally made from cow colostrum. The curd is placed in a round mould and flamed on both sides, leading to brown spots on the surface. There are also variants made from reindeer's or goat's milk. Leipäjuusto is also called "squeaky cheese" because it makes a characteristic squeaking sound when eaten!
Photo. Leipäjuusto
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