Vecķiguļi, ZS
- Vecķiguļi, Plāņu pagasts, Valmieras novads, Latvija, LV-4727
- (+371) 28625457
- jkaucis@gmail.com
- 57.600845, 25.809711
- Waze
- Google maps
In Plani parish, area of Valmiera, where the rhythms of nature and human labor form a unified landscape, the fourth generation continues to run the Vecķiguļi farm. Jānis Kaucis has now taken over the management of the farm from his parents and is continuing the family tradition. The dairy herd has been replaced by beef cattle, and today the farm has 100 head of cattle. Jānis is assisted in his daily work by his parents Inga and Normunds Kauči, his energetic grandmother Mairita, and his wife Līga.
From the original 140 hectares, the farm has grown to 210 hectares, where cattle graze and a lifestyle based on agricultural traditions and respect for natural diversity is cultivated.
Natural grasslands occupy a special place in Jānis farming. Participating in the GrassLife2 project, he is actively working on their restoration and management in order to preserve Latvia's biological diversity. When wild orchids are found blooming in the meadow, they are not mowed in Vecķiguļi, but left to ripen and scatter their seeds – perhaps there will be more orchids next year!
A significant turning point in the development of Vecķiguļi came with the help of a small grant from the LIFE-IP LatViaNature project, which enabled the creation of a small meat processing workshop. It is equipped with meat and dough machines, freezers, work tables, and other primary meat processing tools. Jānis learned meat processing skills at the Valmiera Technical College, and now under his management the workshop produces high-quality, locally made products.
Vecķiguļi is an example of how to preserve family strength, farm in an environmentally friendly way, and respect local farming traditions. The farm is developing step by step, based on skills, knowledge and the rhythms of nature, which inspire both sustainable farming and the creation of products with a clear story of origin.
Where to buy?
For matured beef from cattle raised in natural pastures, as well as processed products such as khinkali and chebureki, please contact Janis Kaucis by phone (371) 28625457.
