Ludmila Peculeviča launched her business in the parish of Kalnieši, in the municipality of Krāslava, in November 2020. After completing an online cheese-making course, she began producing her first cheeses and soon gained her first customers. The farm currently uses milk from three cows to produce hard cheeses of various ages, seasoned cheese balls and cheese for frying. Since 2021, some of the milk has been supplied to AS 'Preiļu siers'.
Support from the Rural Support Service has played a significant role in the farm’s development. In 2021, the first project application was submitted under the support measure 'Support for Business Start-ups by Developing Small Rural Farms'. As part of this project, the farm purchased a milk cooler, a milking machine and cheese-making equipment, enabling them to modernise production and improve product quality. The farm continues to take advantage of available support measures to develop its tasting and agritourism offerings.
Over the years, this small-scale, home-based production enterprise has become a well-known farm in the region. There is now a tasting room where visitors can learn about the cheese-making process, sample the products and find out more about life in the countryside. Ludmila takes great pleasure in leading tastings and sharing her experience with guests, and cheese-making has become a true labour of love for her. She plans to expand the farm’s tourism offerings in the future by hosting groups and organising tours of the farm and the small cheese production facility.
Ludmila is someone who has gradually turned her idea into a real and viable business in a rural area. This demonstrates that, through hard work, initiative and purposeful development, it is possible to create a venture that provides added value and personal fulfilment for the entrepreneur.
