Elisabeth Eliasson
Innovator
Ramshults Gård
Sweden
Social
Farming
Rural area close to city
The innovation journey
Elisabeth Eliasson and her husband Albert bought RamshultsGård in 1987. Initially, they had just five beef cattle while working outside the farm. Over time, they decided to expand their enterprise, acquiring another nearby farm called Kärnebo and increasing their herd of cattle. Presently, Elisabeth cares for 43 cows and 20 sheep. She is engaged in additional endeavours, including sheepskin sales and collaboration with the local municipality in a green care initiative. Meanwhile, Albert manages the farm’s forestry operations. A couple of years ago, two of their three sons moved back to the farms with their families and help with some of the farm’s daily activities.
The two farms include a total of 765 hectares, of which 610 hectares are productive forest land, 58 hectares are arable land, and 50 hectares are pastureland. The family’s main source of income is forestry, but they also rent out a small apartment.
The innovation impact
RamshultsGård prioritizes the well-being of the natural and local environment in its operations. The cattle are free to roam outdoors at their leisure. When the cattle are housed indoors in the barn they still have ample space. This balance between outdoor and indoor operations allows the farm to maintain its surrounding fields and thus satisfy the criteria for EU support aimed at preserving open landscapes.
RamshultsGård uses solar cells and intends to invest in wind power in the future. In 2019, RamshultsGård received a “Green Company-award”. The award was awarded in recognition of the farm’s cooperation with Mönsterås municipality. This partnership includes renting out a portion of the farm to the municipality, which organizes daily activities for individuals with disabilities or long-term unemployment. Elisabeth emphasizes that this collaboration holds value beyond financial terms, as it fosters personal growth for the participants and provides them with meaningful work experience involving animal care and farm maintenance. She finds this joint endeavour personally rewarding and beneficial, allowing her to engage in tasks that go beyond caring for her herd throughout the day.