Ina Grecka - Grass Ceiling Living Lab participant - Lithuania

Ina Grecka (GRASS CEILING participant): Empowering through education and innovation on a Lithuanian farm

Ina Grecka, originally from Vilnius, founded “Yellow Boots,” a family farm just 15 minutes from Lithuania’s capital. Despite its proximity to the bustling city, the farm offers a retreat into nature, where Ina and her family grow various products, including vines, blackberries, blackcurrants, raspberries, shiitake mushrooms, and fish from their pond.

The farm began its journey four years ago when Ina and her family bought a plot of land in poor condition, without any farming equipment or experience. Ina recalls how, as a woman from the city, she faced scepticism from locals when seeking help to prepare the land. “You’re from the city, and you’re a girl. You want to start a farm business?” they would say, dismissing her at first. However, their perspective changed over time as Ina proved her resilience and commitment to the farm.

The European Union supported the farm’s initial funding through a programme for young farmers. This financial assistance allowed Ina and her family to start the business when they had no money left after purchasing the land. Despite facing challenges, including a lack of equipment and needing to connect with others for help, Ina persevered. Ina likes to participate in programmes and would like to form more bonds with the community. “We are very small in our country, so we cannot survive alone. We need to connect,” she notes.

Balancing motherhood and running a business has not been easy, especially when her children were young. With two boys still in secondary school, Ina credits the support of her mother and her husband’s mother for helping her manage the farm and childcare. “If I didn’t have any help, I think our business would have been delayed until the children grew up,” she reflects.

Innovation is central to the farm’s operations, from the equipment Ina and her husband seek out at fairs to enhance productivity to the educational programmes they offer visitors. “It’s very easy for people from the city to visit us, and they learn about nature and farming,” she says. Schoolchildren, corporate teams, and other groups come to the farm to experience the hands-on activities and taste the farm’s produce. During harvest season, particularly for grapes, the farm becomes a lively festival where visitors can join in the excitement of gathering crops.

The farm’s connection to the GRASS CEILING programme has provided Ina valuable training, particularly in marketing. “Marketing is very difficult, but the training helped me understand how to promote ourselves better,” she shares. Through this programme, Ina learned strategies that have directly benefited her business.

Ina’s advice to women considering a career in farming is clear: “Don’t be afraid. You can do everything. Start little by little, step by step. If you sit and think, life will pass you by. We have only one life.” Her message is one of courage, patience, and persistence, and this mindset has helped her farm thrive.