Finnish organic cattle farm seeks tenant for 262 hectares

A 262-hectare organic cattle farm in Utajärvi, northern Finland, is seeking a tenant after its current operator, Joona Piirala, announced plans to relocate with his family, Yle reports.

Piirala, 35, took over the farm in 2021 through a generational transfer. Now, with a quick sale unlikely, he is advertising for a tenant to take over operations by early 2028 at the latest. The farm’s herd—96 cows, 26 heifers, five bulls, and 83 spring-born calves—would be sold to the tenant as part of the agreement.

A promotional video detailing the farm’s offerings has garnered over half a million views across social media platforms. Piirala emphasized his belief in the future of Finnish agriculture but stated he was not ready to sell the land outright, preferring to lease it for now.

Farm leasing is growing in popularity, according to Petri Koivisto, development director of economic services at ProAgria’s Central Union. The model allows new farmers to enter the industry without significant capital or loans, and leasing can qualify them for start-up grants from the Rural Development Agency, provided the lease agreement meets length requirements—typically around ten years.

Koivisto noted that while farm leasing remains relatively uncommon, careful contract drafting with experts is essential. Risks include the tenant’s ability to manage livestock properly and meet financial obligations. Piirala added that tenants should have financial reserves for unexpected challenges and the capacity to take time off to avoid burnout in the demanding work.

The farm, acquired by Piirala’s family in 1892, represents a shift in agricultural succession, where continuity is increasingly maintained through external tenants rather than family members.