Хутор ELKAS KALNA SAIMNIECIBA

 The farm is located in one of the most picturesque places in Vidzeme, ELKAS KALNS. The height of Elka hill above sea level is 361.5 m and it is one of the highest in Vidzeme highlands. Latvia's longest river, the GAUJA, begins at the foot of Elka Hill.

The farm's 11 ha property consists of biologically valuable meadows, a small forest, a backyard pond with fish. There is a well-kept orchard. Honey from biologically valuable meadows is harvested in a small beehive. Herbal teas are harvested both on farm meadows and in the forest, and grown in the garden, following the principles of organic and permaculture. When visiting the farm, it will be possible to get acquainted with the very wide use of plants and collect your favorite plants. Herbal tea mixtures and powders are made from harvested plants, but this does not end the application. The plants are used to make syrups (such as young spruce needle syrup), infusions (such as St. John's wort in vodka), extracts (such as calendula in oil), fermented (such as raspberry leaves or fir flowers). The farm offers tastings of jams, juices and syrups. Everything is made from home-grown berries and fruits. Maple and birch sap harvested in spring is frozen and can be enjoyed fresh all summer. All products made on the farm can be tasted.

During the visit to the farm, with the participation of creative workshops, it is also possible to prepare something useful for cosmetics, such as soap with vegetable powder, cream with vegetable oil extract or distillate from plants, which can be used instead of lotion. An interesting creative workshop using plants for yarn dyeing. The farm has a small weaving workshop. Here you can weave your medicine mat, for example, for sauna rituals. If time allows and you are interested, you can learn the basics of weaving and weave, for example, a small rug from your old T-shirt. 

The owners (Inese and Valdis Stibe) and their family have been managing Elka Hill for 15 years. The family of several generations are from Riga. Initially, only summers were spent here, but also winters in the last few years. Much effort has been made all these years to maintain the landscape and preserve the natural environment. The hostess has mastered the principles of organic farming at the Latvia University of Agriculture and the basics of permaculture courses. Knowledge is applied on a daily basis in gardening, collecting and processing plants. Growing, collecting and making tea is one of the housewife's heart's desire. The second heart is weaving, dyeing yarn with plants. The owner's passion is an orchard and berry garden. In recent years, the owner's heart is bees. He has also acquired the knowledge of a beekeeper through courses and practical work.

PROGRAMME:

• Upon arrival at the farm, acquaintance with the owners.
• Walk around the farm and excursion to the beginning of the Gauja.
• Operation in one of the selected creative workshops (creative workshops must apply one week in advance):

1. Preparation of your own special tea mixture for a healthy body and spirit
2. Together prepared flower waters for eternal beauty
3. Soap preparation for body well-being

• Tasting of the products currently available on the farm.
• Enjoying tea, birch sap.
• Lunch, which can be prepared together on a live fire.