UNHIDE Agroforestry - A Knowledge Exchange Latvia- Sweden 2023-25 - Report - Page 24
Stora Juleboda farm: Foraging & silvo-pasture, Sweden
STORA JULEBODA is a KRAV certified farm situated on sandy soils along the coast between Åhus
and Kivik in southern Sweden. The farm encompasses 100 hectares, divided among orchards,
pastures, forest and cropland. Its proximity to both
the Baltic sea and forest results in relatively mild
autumns, but also increases the risk of late spring
frost events, particularly when humid air masses
move inland over the orchards. The farm is managed by Anna and Marcus Callenbring, together
with their daughter Clara and a returning seasonal
workforce.
The former apple orchard differs markedly from
others in the Kivik region, an area internationally
recognised for apple and cider production. Production at Stora Juleboda includes apples, pears
and plums, as well as sea buckthorn, raspberries,
American blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum),
hops, blackberries, black currants, rose hips and
rose quince. Ground vegetation between tree
rows is deliberately left to nature and prioritises
species such as stinging nettle, fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium), phacelia (Phacelia
tanacetifolia), white goosefoot (Chenopodium
album), white clover, meadowsweet (Filipendula
ulmaria) and dandelion. The diversification of
perennials support populations of natural enemies
of insect pests, including predatory insects and
birds. A diversification that is further supported
through an on-farm nursery and collaboration with
plant breeders at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU).
“THE PLANT DIVERSITY IN
THE ORCHARDS SUPPORT
A LARGE NUMBER OF
SPECIES: 28 DIFFERENT
BIRDS HAVE BEEN
OBSERVED” - Marcus Callenbring
While four insect species are considered economically harmful in apple production, several
others provide ecosystem services; increased perennial diversity has been shown to favour these
Sid 45-46
Fireweed (Camaenerion angustifolium).
