Kujalan tila: A family farm with a long history in Hailuoto
The history of the farm and the entrepreneurial couple
Entrepreneurs Timo and Susanna Kujala say that the Kujala farm was established in 1582 at its current location in Hailuoto. The original farm has since been divided into several farms, of which the entrepreneurs say that only Kujala continues to practice agriculture.
Timo says that the farm is his home, and he has worked there since childhood. In 2006, Timo became the owner of the farm. "The farm has been in operation since the end of the 16th century, and I was born here, so I couldn't choose where to work," Timo laughs.
Timo says he studied agriculture at the Koivikko Agricultural College, after which he continued his studies to become a rural entrepreneur. After becoming the owner of the farm, Timo studied natural resources at the Oulu University of Applied Sciences.
“Practical self-study and farm development began when I started selling meat directly from the farm in 2013,” Timo explains. The entrepreneurial couple met in 2020. “The situation was favorable when we met, and I moved to Kujala to become a farm manager. I switched from my day job to entrepreneurship," Susanna recalls.
Susanna says she participated in and became familiar with farm activities already in elementary school in her home region of Central Finland. She has studied and worked in sales, marketing, and financial management, as well as in the field of nature guidance.
Lööki sauces from Kujala Farm.
Products from Kujala Farm. Photo from Kujala Farm's Facebook page, March 22, 2023.
Farm production
The entrepreneurs say that artisan food production began with the production of meat raised on natural pastures. The entrepreneurs learned more about artisan products and Arctic Food Lab and decided that their own products fit the definition of artisan products. In 2014, with the purchase of Ritvan Herkku, the Kujala farm began producing its famous onion sauces.
The entrepreneurs recall that Ritva Heiskari taught them how to make the sauces by holding their hands. The farm produces meat, onion sauces, syrups, groats, flakes, and meat products.
The entrepreneurs say that the company also has a burger truck, which they use to sell Kujala burger products at public events and, on request, at corporate and private events. "Kujalan burgeri is a slightly different kind of business, but we use our own products in the food truck as much as we can," Timo explains. Timo says that production is based on customer demand and interest.
The entrepreneurial couple says they sell their products to retailers and directly to consumers through their online store, farm, and markets. They say that most of their products are sold through retailers, but sales vary depending on the product and sales channel.
The entrepreneurs believe that their meat sauces offer the greatest potential for product and sales growth. The couple says that new artisanal products are in development and may be launched by the end of the year.
Timo and Susanna say they have about 100 suckler cows and 170 young cattle on their farm. In the summer, the suckler cows graze with their calves on the seashore pastures of Hailuoto, they continue.
"In 2006, a separate barn was built for the suckler cows, where they live with their calves. The young cattle live in a barn, which the herd moved into in 1983 and which was expanded to its current size in 1996. According to family lore, before the barn was built in the 1980s, the farm had an old stone barn that was built in the 1790s," Timo explains.
Entrepreneurs Timo and Susanna Kujala.
Cattle grazing on the Kujala farm. Photo from the Kujala farm's Facebook page, August 7, 2016.
Tips for new entrepreneurs and my own experiences of entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurs have found it challenging to raise consumer awareness of their products. "When you get consumers to buy your products, they often become repeat customers. The challenge is to market your products widely to customers," Timo explains.
The entrepreneurs say they last experienced a moment of success when they received the Audience Favorite award from Arctic Food Lab. "The award was the result of a customer vote, so receiving this recognition felt really good," Susanna says.
The entrepreneurs also recall receiving the 2018 Tasty Countryside award in Northern Ostrobothnia, as well as honorable mentions for maintaining natural pastures.
Susanna advises future artisan food entrepreneurs to be bold and experiment. "Only by trying can you find out how a product will be received," Susanna says. Timo agrees with Susanna and adds, "Use pure, authentic flavors and ingredients that are produced as close to home as possible."
Flavored syrups from Kujala Farm. Photo from Kujala Farm's Facebook page, May 5, 2023.
First time in the artisan food championship
The entrepreneurs say they are participating in the artisan food competition in Rovaniemi because they want broad feedback on their products. "We want external reviews of our products as well as honest opinions and feedback," Susanna sums up.
The couple says they hope to gain visibility for their business and products and attract new customers. As entrepreneurs, they expect to expand their network with other operators.
You can find Kujala Farm at:
Website: kujalantila.fi and kujalanburgeri.fi
Facebook: Kujalan tila and Kujalan Burgeri
Instagram: @kujalantila and @kujalanburgeri
Twitter: @kujalantila
YouTube: Kujalan Tila
Laura Horsma 12.7.2023. English translations made with DeepL translator.