From seedlings to juices and honey as an example of sustainable production
The beginnings of this successful farm can be traced back to 2017, when Sandra and Edgars Baltiņi began growing sea buckthorn on their property in the Rēzekne region – initially on one hectare, but a year later, the plantings were expanded to almost two hectares. In 2020, they also turned to beekeeping, starting with one bee colony, which was increased to five in 2021. This led to the establishment of the family business Ltd "Saulainie dārzi", which today offers fresh berries with the opportunity to pick them yourself straight from the field, and products – juices, syrups, teas and honey products. The company's goal is to grow from a small home-based producer into a strong local manufacturer offering high-quality sea buckthorn and honey products.
The company is growing along with its idea – to become a full-cycle producer that transforms local raw materials into high added-value food and cosmetic products. To achieve this, in cooperation with the Rural Support Service, the necessary production equipment has been purchased with the help of the EAFRD project: a freezer with a compressor for storing berries, a juice pasteurizer, a jam boiler, a dryer, a honey extractor, and a trailer for transporting equipment. This allows the harvested crop to be stored and processed throughout the year, not just during the season, as well as improving work organization and increasing productivity.
Ltd "Saulainie dārzi" strongly advocates green thinking and sustainable farming. The berries are grown without chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and the company is moving towards zero-waste production, using not only berries, but also leaves and other parts of the plant. The company's mission is to offer consumers natural, healthy, and high-quality local products, while strengthening the region's economy, self-sufficiency, and healthy lifestyles.