[ad_1]
Betty and Nikki, the lovely owners of “The Farm”, are about to lose their livelihood due to the overzealous efforts of pessimistic environmentalists to protect the mountain. They are the owners of the “Wild Farm”, the largest biological farm in Bulgaria and even in the whole of Europe, Minaha writes. However, this year the ranch was on the verge of closure due to new regulations for leasing cattle on high pastures introduced by the national park, which severely restricted the area where cattle could be kept. “For several weeks we saw our own miracle, because with the permitted grazing area allocated to us by the Rila National Park, we could only climb the mountains during the hottest months of the year. 300 cows, and our herd has 2,000 cows of the Rhodope brown breed,” said Nikolay Vasiliev, known throughout Bulgaria as “Niki”.
As a veterinarian, he has a professional view on the issues that affect all Bulgarian highland farms, big and small, because it concerns the livelihoods of dozens of families. According to him, the old Bulgarian breed does not pollute nature in any way. In addition, the embracing of mountain grasses also has a positive effect on biodiversity, and pastures are fertilized. If there are no animals in these areas, the grasslands will reach human combat power, and squatters will occupy the area of grass and pastures. We remind you that Nikki and Betty’s farm is located in the Majarovo regionIn the Eastern Rhodopes, the weather is hot from July to September and the certified organic cattle simply cannot access natural pastures. Therefore, in 2008, the Vasilievi family looked for an alternative in the “Rila” park, which has been well received so far. For 20 years, 4 hectares of pasture fell to one animal, and the “Wild Farm” was able to grow to its current size. However, according to the new regulations, one animal must have 50 acres of land.
“When will the animals be able to fence in 50 acres of land?” Nicky asked rhetorically. We also added that no one would profit from rash decisions that destroyed businesses that took decades to build. Such was the case with Blagovista (everyone called her Betty) and her husband. The two husbands surprised all their relatives by giving up city life and coming to the mountains at a very young age. In 1994, they inherited a dozen sheep and a few goats from Niki’s grandmother. Then they borrowed money to buy 50 sheep and made sheep cheese for two or three years to support themselves. In 1999, they lived in this village.
“Usually people take care of cows in order to buy an apartment in the city. We sold our parents’ apartment in Plovdiv and bought cows. In fact, we bought sixteen cows, eight of which died in the first year. The reason was that their breed had difficulty adapting to our microclimatic conditions.
That’s why we focused on breeding local breeds – Bulgarian Grey and Rhodope Shorthorn cattle,” recalls Betty, whose husband is a country dweller. In 2005, they opened the doors of the house he had inherited, transforming it into the “Divata Ferma” guesthouse, where they raised their four children.
Our children pick things up all day long. They constantly imitate our way of life! Being close to the earth brings us joy first, gives us security and stability! He hopes that there will be Bulgaria as long as there are Bulgarians who take care of their land! As the old saying goes, the land is not our property, we just borrow it from our children! “Betty and Nikki emphasize. This year the two celebrate 30 years together. But are already grandparents of four grandchildren. The first are the twins Nikolai and Madeline, who will turn three this autumn. Their brother Nikolai was born as a gift for his grandparents’ anniversary.
“We knew each other since kindergarten, we have a photo of us when we were four years old”, recalled the farmer, the two were almost the same age – Nikolai made 50 revolutions around the sun on September 12, and Blagovesta on October 28 last year.Every day when the whole family is together is wonderful”, this is the secret of their happiness.
“Farming is not a profession, it must be inherited”, which reveals their views on young grandparents who do everything they can to save the livelihood created by a lot of work and poverty.
[ad_2]
Source link
