Silvija Terlević, a farmer from the Poreč area in Istria, has dedicated her life to breeding autochthonous livestock. She raises the Istrian Boškarin cattle breed and the Croatian Coldblood horse, both deeply rooted in the region’s heritage. She is one of the Croatian Living Lab members of the GRASS CEILING project.
Her farming journey began after closing the fruit and vegetable shops she had run for years. “When we closed the shops, we started the farm with Istrian cattle breeds. It completely changed our way of life”, she explains. By focusing on these traditional breeds, she continues the legacy of her ancestors, ensuring the survival of animals that were once essential to Istrian agriculture. One of the biggest challenges she has faced is securing land. “The hardest part was obtaining land from Croatian forests or agricultural land from the municipality. That was the main struggle”, she recalls. Resource access remains a significant barrier for many small farmers, particularly women.
Silvija believes better access to information would be the most valuable support for women in agriculture. “You can never have too much information. Women need to be well informed about opportunities and resources”, she emphasises. Education, training, and guidance on agricultural policies could significantly improve conditions for female entrepreneurs in rural areas. She sees collaboration with other women as an essential part of progress. “It’s always easier to find solutions through communication with women. Working together would be motivating and encouraging”, she notes. Strengthening networks among female farmers could lead to new opportunities and shared solutions to common challenges.
What she loves most about her work is her deep connection with animals. “I love my animals, being with them day and night. I love to ride, hug the horses, and feed them. You can’t describe it; you have to experience it”, she says. Her passion for farm life reflects a broader commitment to preserving traditional rural practices.
Her advice for those considering starting a rural business is clear: “Life in the countryside, working with animals, is a great choice, and also an important one. If there are no villages, there is no life.” Her words highlight the importance of maintaining rural communities and traditions, ensuring they remain vibrant for future generations.
Silvija Terlević