Malin Fjellström Lassi at the 4H farm at Morö Backe.
Many people want to visit the 4H farm at Morö Backe but it is difficult to stay open when there is a lack of volunteers. Malin Fjellström Lassi is on the board and volunteers at the farm.
– My perception is that many non-profit organisations in town find it hard to recruit volunteers and that is exactly our perception too. We find it difficult to find those who want to get involved in the organisation. But there is an enormous interest in visiting us, Malin says.
– We get non-stop requests. Are you open? Can we come visit you? Many people want the farm to be up and running and that is a positive thing but what will the future look like?
The worry is that organisations and the volunteer work they do are on thin ice when they are run by one or a few enthusiasts who may disappear for various reasons.
– I’ve lived here for five years but didn’t know that this place existed in the middle of a residential area. I heard a rooster a few years ago and stopped in my tracks. Who has a rooster in an apartment?
Shelbi Taylor lives almost next door to the farm at Morö Backe but has only recently got involved.
Shelbi Taylor at the 4H farm at Morö Backe.
– I saw a little sign on a lamp post. I took a picture of it and the following week I was here in the morning letting the goats out. It fills me with joy to help out here, says Shelbi.
– People think that they don’t have time but you have time for more than you might think and small efforts are valuable. Half an hour in the morning could be sufficient. Some people come here with their children before going to school and you could also bring a picnic and have dinner here. Do something different than the everyday routine, says Shelbi.
Shelbi thinks that 4H is good for the whole family and that there are many opportunities to get involved.
– There’s a culture of being really busy and not having time but I want to show people what’s possible. One of the volunteers said one day that they hadn’t had time to clean that day but all the animals were inside and had been fed and watered so that was totally fine. Doing the minimum is also good, Shelbi says.
Nelly Granat feeding a guinea pig at the 4H farm at Morö Backe.
The 4H farm has existed since the early nineties but went bankrupt a few years ago. A new board was formed and got the farm going from scratch again in the middle of the pandemic in 2020. Since then, the farm has been expanded with animals such as bunnies, guinea pigs, chickens and goats.
– Once we started having animals in the field again the neighbours have turned up. Many people have been positive and commented. They enjoy hearing sounds from the field and seeing animals here, Malin says.
The farm would like to have more animals and preferably farm animals such as cows and pigs.
– Our dream is to have a person employed. That would mean that we could have set opening hours. Morö Backe has sometimes been a vulnerable area to live in. We want this to be a safe place where many people feel they can turn to.
The 4H farm at Morö Backe.
There are many opportunities for those who have an idea and need a place to make it reality.
– If you want to grow plants in planting boxes, keep bees, build insect hotels or build a baking hut you could do that here. We have premises so there’s no need to start an organisation from scratch. If you have an idea you’re very welcome to get in touch with us.
Shelbi recommends volunteer work for everyone but it’s especially good if you have recently moved here and want to become more integrated in society. You can meet people you would never have met otherwise as well as like-minded people with interests in common.
– Getting people involved in the community builds a stronger community and happier people, Shelbi says.
Goats at the 4H farm at Morö Backe.
The organisation is in contact with the municipality but feel like it has been a bit difficult to reach them and find the right way in. At the moment the organisation has an idea they want to develop regarding young people who have stopped going to school and sit at home. There are ongoing discussions that have now been paused over summer.
– Animals can do good for all people and help those who are not feeling well, Malin concludes.