"I have a dream": Jelgava municipality mother and vegetable grower Krista wants fairer support for farmers

Krista lives in Jelgava municipality, where she is currently raising young children. Alongside her parenting duties, she is actively involved in her family's business — growing vegetables — which serves as both a livelihood and a shared undertaking for the family.

Her daily life combines two demanding responsibilities: caring for small children and working in agriculture. Such a combination is not uncommon in rural Latvia, but it requires considerable effort and flexibility, since vegetable growing is seasonal and physically demanding work that must be balanced with family needs.

A wish for greater fairness

As indicated by the article's headline, Krista dreams of more equal support for farmers. This suggests that she, and likely other small and family-run agricultural businesses in Latvia, feel they are at a disadvantage compared to larger market players or other sectors that receive different levels of state or European Union support.

At the same time, Krista expresses a wish for a safer future for her children. This reflects a broader concern among rural families about whether farming and rural life will remain a viable and stable path for future generations.

Krista's story is one example illustrating the everyday challenges faced by families who earn their living through agriculture while also raising young children. It points to a wider issue — the need for support policies that take into account the interests of both small farmers and young families in the countryside.