For a few years now, there have been summer sheep in Valamo. The two-month-old lambs come from the farm and spend the summer in the pastures that have been re-established in Valamo until autumn, when they move back to their owners.
The pastures are located all around the Valamo peninsula: on the edge of the field by the strait, on the slope shaded by spruce paths between the Old Monk's House and the boathouse, and around the tip of the peninsula behind the berry bushes all the way to the bollards leading to the forest.
The sheep can be observed grazing in the beautiful coastal scenery of Lake Juojärvi. However, it is not allowed to go inside the fences to the pastures without a sheep keeper, and it is not allowed to feed the sheep.
Agricultural traditions of Valamo Monastery
The Valamo Transfiguration Monastery has strong agricultural traditions. Several decades have passed since horses, cows and sheep grazed in the fields. The last animals were only remembered by the older monks of the brotherhood. In the last phase, the monastery had sheep, pigs and chickens.
The old brotherhood, which moved from Valamo in Lake Ladoga, came from a manual and agricultural background. They considered work to be a fundamental element of daily life, which was also reflected in their exhausted but deeply happy nature.
However, these traditions have now been interrupted for decades. Pilgrims and those familiar with the history of the monastery wonder with longing where the good old days have gone. The young competitors who have moved to the monastery, having moved away from the busy traffic and noise of the world, long for a peaceful and more natural life.
All people have a warm and tender place in their hearts for the soft domestic animals of the farm.
Sheep care
Father Rafael's obedience task is raising sheep and developing agriculture. He is responsible for collecting the required skills and information and finding partners.
Father Rafael has completed agricultural studies at Savo Vocational College and has been practicing essential sheep and farming skills on various sheep and farm farms, as well as the stages of farming. Several different professional sheep farmers and ProAgria's expert service have advised on the planning of the Valamo sheep farm.
