Elin at Bobrunna Farm

Bobrunna farm is a small farm in Vattholma where it is grown by hand. Here, Elin Boström has built a permaculture farm with vegetable growing, beekeeping, ducks and chickens. Her goal is to offer locally grown, non-toxic food that is produced in the most sustainable way possible.  

She transformed the villa plot into her own permaculture farm

Bobrunna farm is a small farm in Vattholma where it is grown by hand. Here, Elin Boström has built a permaculture farm with vegetable growing, beekeeping, ducks and chickens. Her goal is to offer locally grown, non-toxic food that is produced in the most sustainable way possible.  

With a great interest in organic farming and access to a large tElin Boström jumped off the squirrel wheel to build a permaculture farm with vegetable cultivation. Through the Sustainable Entrepreneurship program, she took the step to further develop the farm, and now her goal is to offer education, knowledge and skills in small-scale farming using artisanal methods.

Hi Elin, tell us more about Bobrunna farm and how it all started!

Both my husband and I worked as train drivers, me at night and him during the day. When I was going back to work after having my third child, I felt that it wouldn't work in the long run. I chose to train in small-scale organic farming at Alsike Gardens instead. But it was only then, during the training, that I started thinking about farming on a larger scale.

How did you come into contact with Upplandsbygd?

In 2018 I started the company, and then got tips about Sustainable Entrepreneurship. In 2020 I applied for the program and got in.

How has your business developed since you were accepted into the program?

I had no business knowledge when I started – I just wanted to grow carrots! Thanks to the program, I have learned everything from marketing and pricing to formulating goals and visions. Through the program, I have also had the opportunity to invest in a solar-powered drip irrigation system, which allows me to grow on a larger scale.

What inspired you to pursue more sustainable entrepreneurship?

The idea behind the farm was to live more sustainably. Today's food supply system is unsustainable, it won't work to grow and harvest using lots of diesel and then ship the crops over by ship. I believe in several smaller farms where we grow by hand.

What does sustainable Entrepreneurship mean to you?

Our company's goal is to be as sustainable as possible. But what we've learned along the way is that it also means social and economic sustainability. Sometimes we need to slow down a bit to get through life.

Do you have any tips for those who want to run a more sustainable entrepreneurship?

We all need to think about what kind of footprint we want to make, and how we can use our companies to contribute to positive change. My tip is to apply for the Sustainable Entrepreneurship program. I have learned an incredible amount, and it was fun to meet the other entrepreneurs in the program, it felt like having colleagues!