Now it was time for reflection about the past year and the planning of 2014. Amongst the highlights are media attention for Ecotopia, the progress of the construction, the interesting and aware people that have come from everywhere to visit Ecotopia, and the harvest that gets even more amazing each year. The downs are to much administration and cooking. I could never have imagined the bureaucracy to be handled during these seven years as a homecomer to Skåne and the building of Ecotopia. All this for a small scale nonprofit social entrepreneurship with sustainable farming without EU funding…
In January we will publish the calendar for 2014, with eco growing, straw bale house building, a building fair, the construction of a rammed earthhouse, permaculture design, homeopathy and future workshops. We also offer two sets of ”experience days”. One is to participate in the daily activities of small scale farming and the other to make a journey of the senses at Ecotopia and its environment, living in our eco cabins. The first brochure with a map is in the making and we are creating an interesting and educational exhibition about the resources on the farm from a holistic perspective. Furthermore, we will have an art exhibition for Easter, veg lunch once a week and new opening hours. When it comes to the eco cabins we also offer tthe possibility to stay one night in one cabin and then move to another – sp that one can experience different materials and make your own choice when you are building your own. Also offered is the ”lávvu”, a Sami tent with reindeer pelts around open fire as well as the hay bed in the stable. Suitable for kids, animal friends or nature freaks…? Our exciting journey continues.
In Austria the local community was the strongest link. We supported eachother both practically and through trading resources. In Gasthaus we met socially and discussed hot topics. A strong nonprofit society engaged us in markets, concerts and dancing events. Additionally, we met eachother on regular basis at the farmer’s market and the square market in the village. You could buy anything from vegetables, meat, fish and dairy products to herb medicine, skins and handmade candles. After you met at the café. To me, the local community is the most important link to the build-up of a sustainable future and I am delighted at all the positive articles and awards in Land magazine about local communities in Sweden saving the local stores, starting their own dairies, offer nonprofit taxi service and so on. Through using resources and becoming more self-sustainable together with strengthening the community, you are preparing for future trials and building a sustainable future at the same time. As the next step towards this we are offering a local seed bank and community vegetable growing in cooperation with Transition Sweden, starting this November. Welcome!
A beautiful day a pretty and very affectionate grey cat stood on the porch and wanted to get in. She was dry and clean despite the heavy rain. We have now thoroughly sought the owner, asked all the neighbours, the cat shelter and the police without any reaction. When we had the guided tour this Saturday, Roland showed the participators the beautiful cat and on Monday she got a new home and a cat friend to play with. The best end.