Life Grows at Ekebo

As I turn into the farmyard at Ekebo Farm, the hens pecking among the flower beds scatter, and two cats watch me suspiciously from the steps of the main house. Here, there’s no doubt about it — the animals come first.

In the farm shop, open around the clock, I meet Johan Larsson, who has taken a short break from the morning’s work. On a farm like this, there is always something that needs doing.

“Yes, Kristina and I work very hard,” Johan says with a smile. “It’s a life many people find hard to understand. But for me, there’s nothing more meaningful than providing good food for others.”

Johan has been running Ekebo Farm since 2006, initially as a dedicated vegetable grower. The first animals didn’t arrive until 2015, when a small flock of sheep was brought in to graze the fields. But it was when Johan went looking for a new ram on Blocket that life took an unexpected turn.

The ram was for sale at Kristina Torstensson’s farm in Knislinge, and it didn’t take long before mutual affection grew. In time, not only the ram but Kristina herself — along with all her cows, pigs, and sheep — moved south to Gessie.

Today, others take care of the vegetable cultivation, while Johan and Kristina focus entirely on KRAV‑certified meat production. Asked whether there’s a difference between growing vegetables and working with animals, Johan answers simply:

“Yes. There’s no such thing as an off‑season anymore.”

Animals need care year‑round, of course. The most intense period is during spring calving and lambing, when Johan and Kristina sleep in shifts.

Throughout our conversation, customers come and go from the spacious farm shop. One buys eggs. Another picks up granola from Österlen. A third chooses two cuts of chuck steak for the weekend. The shop offers meat and charcuterie from Ekebo’s own animals, potatoes and fresh eggs from neighbouring farms, and a wide range of products from carefully selected producers across southern Sweden. There are many regulars, and just as many orders for mixed meat boxes. Johan is pleased with the success — but never tempted to compromise on quality.

“Since we were nominated for ‘Skåne’s Best Food Producer’ last year, many people want to work with us. But we say no to most of them. It has to be truly good — otherwise, it’s not worth it.”

After our talk, we take a walk through the airy shelters to greet the sheep, goats, pigs, and the Highland cattle, with their distinctive long fringes and curved horns. And then Johan’s personal favourites: around a hundred cows and bulls of the Belted Galloway breed — “unusually social and friendly animals,” according to Johan.

Before I finally leave the farm, I buy sausages and pork shoulder from the farm’s free‑range pigs. I’ll notice the difference, Johan says — compared with the stressed, flavourless pork you usually find in shops.