Snapshot: Meet a typical Södra member

“I wanted the children to take an interest and if they are part-owners, they become more engaged and want to take responsibility,” adds Per-Ove.

Since Caroline lives on the farm, she manages its daily operation. Her parents had a dairy herd and the first thing Caroline did was to introduce sheep.

“We got off to a strong start with 110 pregnant ewes in the barn,” she recalls. “There was no water supply, so my mother and I used a kick-sled to take water across the courtyard. That year, I was present at the birth of every single lamb.” The sheep continue to produce lambs, some of which Caroline now keeps over the winter because wool has become a key part of the farm’s business.

She earned her chainsaw and clearing saw licences ten years ago and her eldest son Melvin now has his licences, too.

“It’s fun – it becomes a bit of family time when we go out together,” says Caroline, observing that this strange time due to the pandemic has some advantages with the children studying at home. “

There are two houses on the farm: Caroline’s father lives in one while Caroline and her own family live in the other. They now produce a variety of products, including lambskin and felting crafts.

“We also lay on wool courses and offer companies the opportunity to felt their own gnomes at Christmas events. Felted crafts are just one of the farm’s offerings at Christmas markets and local food outlets.”