Omavaraniemi was born out of the desire to create a simple, nature-connected and self-determined way of life.

After a period of dissatisfaction in my job as an electrician in a large industrial company, I decided to break away and explore a different path.

A journey through Canada and the United States opened up new perspectives and laid the foundation for the direction I would take. Back in Switzerland, I completed an apprenticeship as a farmer from 2015 to 2017. During this time, my interest in self-sufficiency, animal husbandry and a life closer to nature began to grow.

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In 2019, another important chapter began: together with Maika, my former partner, I set off on a multi-month bicycle journey from Switzerland through the Balkans to Turkey. This intense time on the road shaped us deeply and changed our perspective on life in a lasting way. It was also during this period that the first steps towards self-sufficiency and a more conscious lifestyle emerged.

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After returning to Switzerland, we gained practical experience by working a large vegetable garden, keeping animals, and further developing our knowledge through courses in self-sufficiency and permaculture, including a Permaculture Design Course.

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The desire for more space, peace and the opportunity to develop these ideas long-term eventually brought us to Finland.

Today, Omavaraniemi is taking shape step by step on around 3 hectares of land in the wild east of Finland:

a place where permaculture, animal husbandry and craftsmanship come together. A place that shows that a modern life in harmony with nature is possible. Real, calm and full of heart.

Maika was an important part of the journey that ultimately led to this project.

Since the end of 2025, I have continued this journey on my own and am developing the project at my own pace.

 

I want to create a place:

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• Where nature is appreciated and supported, not fought.

• Where animals have a home that truly meets their needs.

• Where people can take a break and reconnect with themselves and with nature.

• Where resources are reused as much as possible without compromising quality.

• Where there is something to learn from everything.

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The project includes:

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• Renovating and renting out two traditional Finnish summer cottages (mökkis)

• Finishing, maintaining, and improving the property’s infrastructure

• Keeping a variety of animals for self-sufficiency, including slaughter and processing of animal products

• Growing vegetables, fruits, and grains based on permaculture principles, for our own use and for our animals

  • Vegetable garden

  • Greenhouse

  • Field for potatoes and grains

  • Forest garden

• Foraging berries and mushrooms from the forest and fishing in the lake

• Felling and processing trees for firewood and using the farm’s own sawmill

• Creating handmade products for our online shop

• Learning Finnish and connecting with people in the village and beyond

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If you’d like to learn more about our project, you’ll find plenty of updates and stories here—or come visit us in Valtimo and experience the peace and beauty of this peninsula for yourself.

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If you like what I´m doing, feel free to share the project or support it here with a donation.