In the village of Koskenkorva there is a unique farm, the spirit of which cannot be explained, it must be experienced for yourself. The Toiska farm is the playground of owner Keijo Viertoma, where you can try out even impossible ideas. However, taking risks requires courage. A strong vision goes a long way, but dreams always have their price.
During the two-hour interview, Keijo manages to arrange rides with the directors, come up with ideas for the day's menu, borrow a trailer, thank the person who brought the load of wood, give a tip to a relative who came to visit, and answer the phone three times.
– Yes, you have to be able to withstand pressure, he says.
Keijo is the type of person who always seems to have many irons in the fire. While implementing the previous ideas, the next ones are already rattling in his mind. Toiska, founded on Keijo's wife Tiina's homestead, is now much more than a family home.
– In addition to child welfare services, we offer rehabilitation and day activities for special groups. Training is organized for work communities. A meeting place has been renovated for customer groups in an old barn. Accommodation facilities will open in the summer. In addition, the farm operates a full-service horse stable with maneges, Keijo lists.
Do what you are good at.
Even creative people are not usually born with a ready-made vision. In the beginning, Toiska's business idea was matured for a long time.
– Tiina and I just had a vague passion for something that was looking for a way to take shape. We noticed that when we had guests over, they left with more energy than they had when they arrived.
The idea of a farm tourism business, among other things, was tossed around in my mind.
– However, the half-day trip was forgotten when a training course advised us to do what we do best. We both had experience in child protection, and I had previously brought young people to the site for a day to work.
When Keijo and Tiina then, with some hesitation, presented the idea of a family home to others, they received a huge amount of encouragement.
– They said, "What are you still thinking about?" Keijo recalls.
Horse girl
Nature and animals have always been a significant part of the family's everyday life. The horse arrived in Toiska on the same day as the first youngster.
– She was a horse girl, and I thought I had to find something to do. That's how the journey began, Keijo laughs.
It was only much later that Keijo and Tiina came across the term green care, which refers to rehabilitation and well-being activities related to nature.
– At the same time, we realized that what we do has a name.
Since then, Keijo and Tiina have done pioneering work to make the activities known, and their ideas have been listened to with close attention, including by ministries.
The limits of exhaustion
Being a pioneer in the green care industry has meant that Keijo and Tiina have often had to venture into the unknown. Implementing their own vision requires taking risks and sometimes even large investments. There are six employees at Toiska, although in terms of customer positions they would still manage with two.
– I do recognize the limits of my own exhaustion. It is especially stressful if I feel that things are temporarily out of control.
A certain amount of uncontrollability is intrinsic to all development, and surprises cannot be avoided.
– It's the price of development, but a life of hardship doesn't suit us. Then there's no need to sit in a rocking chair and think that we should have.
Don't let the world standardize you.
But how do you know which path to follow?
– The most crucial thing is your own strong belief. Sometimes it is an expensive road. It took us nine years for buyers to start believing in equine-assisted rehabilitation.
According to Keijo, good ideas only come about if you put yourself in a stress-free state.
– Only then can we get used to the attitude that if everything possible has already been tried, then we will try the impossible. The world normalizes us too much. It makes us old and serious.
At the center of innovation
Over the past six years, Keijo has also had the opportunity to evaluate hundreds of other people's ideas in his role as chairman of Liiver. In the project world, what annoys Keijo the most is that the system does not leave enough room for creativity.
– Liiveri's advantage is that it has recruited brave people to the board and employees. However, we must keep in mind that Leader activities are not intended to maintain things that work, but to create new opportunities. In that case, the staff preparing the project and the board evaluating it must also have an open mind.
Now that his years as chairman are over, Keijo is leaving his post with a sad heart, as Liiver has become a significant part of his life.
– Everyone can think about innovation whatever they want. I think that I am at the center of innovation when I am at Liiver, because I am constantly surrounded by new and different ideas and thinkers. That is if someone enriches life.
Grateful for the trip
The good thing about leaving a position of trust is the time it frees up. That's needed, because entrepreneurs have enough work to do anyway. A little over a year ago, it was decided in Toiska that the business would no longer continue as it is.
– If you've been responsible for others 24 hours a day for 25 years, you'll inevitably need more recovery time as you get older. Especially if you dare to listen to yourself.
Instead of closing down, however, Toiska decided to invest more. The youth center's expansion is now complete and finishing work is being done inside.
– This solution was reached because the second generation showed a desire to continue.
If Tiina and Keijo had known in advance what everyday life can sometimes be like in a family home, it might not have been established.
– But now that I look back, I don't know who has had such an adventure as we have. I am grateful for this journey. You get the feeling that this life has been worth living. It's a good thing, though, that you didn't know all the coincidences in advance, he laughs.
Photo: Petri Olli
- Text: Sonja Pitkäjärvi