Our story began with two people and a common dream.
A beautiful piece of southern Estonia’s old forest, where creative life skills can be tested and shared. The proximity of forest could provide not only food and a therapeutic setting, but knowledge and inspiration for more sustainable approaches to life.
As two activists in environment and social change, we were a couple spreading our time between many activities under many NGO's... Whilst living in Otepää in an old mill, we grew much food and ran events on topics of sustainably living. At this point much of our activity occurred in and around Tartu, Estonia’s second largest city.
In Tartu we were involved in the creation and actions of the Transition Town Movement (Elav Tartu). We organised events, workshops, seminars and conferences which contributed to an increased coordination with local council, volunteers and partners, particularly within the Urban gardening/Food stewardship topic.
We created Eikelllegimaa as an NGO that could combine our shared passions and skills. In 2019 we managed to buy the property we had been long searching for. After months of negotiations, we managed to scrape together enough to save 11 hectares of forest and meadow from an environmentally apathetic forester. We found ourselves exhausted and with little financial resources, but in a new exciting home for our family and NGO.
Eikellegimaa is a place where we encourage as much life as we can; food, medicine and habitat for diverse ecosystems. If we can all enjoy and continue to learn from our environment rather than focusing on earning money, we might just be happier and healthier and more prepared for the uncertainties of our future!
We are busy establishing a hectare of food forest and permaculture gardens. We are currently living and working on the site, building our resources and new rural networks. We sporadically run different workshops and events but welcome visitors or contributors anytime.
The most FAQ
Is your logo a cow poo?
Answer:
Actually no! it is Fomes fomentarius, tinder or hoof fungus (Tuletael in estonian), a common tree mushroom in our surrounding forests. It was used locally to start fires and carry embers in days past. Beekeepers and bee colonies use the conk (fruiting body) to treat varroa mite, a big threat to our pollinator friends. It also has anti microbial and anti-inflammatory properties, lending it to several medical purposes. Moose, deer and wolves have been filmed using it for these applications. It can be used to make felt-like clothing for humans and creates habitat for insects, birds and small mammals. It is a super efficient recycler of natural material.
Rea drew this image as we at Eikellegimaa aspire to be as multitalented and useful as this fellow.
A beautiful piece of southern Estonia’s old forest, where creative life skills can be tested and shared. The proximity of forest could provide not only food and a therapeutic setting, but knowledge and inspiration for more sustainable approaches to life.
As two activists in environment and social change, we were a couple spreading our time between many activities under many NGO's... Whilst living in Otepää in an old mill, we grew much food and ran events on topics of sustainably living. At this point much of our activity occurred in and around Tartu, Estonia’s second largest city.
In Tartu we were involved in the creation and actions of the Transition Town Movement (Elav Tartu). We organised events, workshops, seminars and conferences which contributed to an increased coordination with local council, volunteers and partners, particularly within the Urban gardening/Food stewardship topic.
We created Eikelllegimaa as an NGO that could combine our shared passions and skills. In 2019 we managed to buy the property we had been long searching for. After months of negotiations, we managed to scrape together enough to save 11 hectares of forest and meadow from an environmentally apathetic forester. We found ourselves exhausted and with little financial resources, but in a new exciting home for our family and NGO.
Eikellegimaa is a place where we encourage as much life as we can; food, medicine and habitat for diverse ecosystems. If we can all enjoy and continue to learn from our environment rather than focusing on earning money, we might just be happier and healthier and more prepared for the uncertainties of our future!
We are busy establishing a hectare of food forest and permaculture gardens. We are currently living and working on the site, building our resources and new rural networks. We sporadically run different workshops and events but welcome visitors or contributors anytime.
The most FAQ
Is your logo a cow poo?
Answer:
Actually no! it is Fomes fomentarius, tinder or hoof fungus (Tuletael in estonian), a common tree mushroom in our surrounding forests. It was used locally to start fires and carry embers in days past. Beekeepers and bee colonies use the conk (fruiting body) to treat varroa mite, a big threat to our pollinator friends. It also has anti microbial and anti-inflammatory properties, lending it to several medical purposes. Moose, deer and wolves have been filmed using it for these applications. It can be used to make felt-like clothing for humans and creates habitat for insects, birds and small mammals. It is a super efficient recycler of natural material.
Rea drew this image as we at Eikellegimaa aspire to be as multitalented and useful as this fellow.