A family that stood an eye to eye with carnivores in a quest to balance and self-sufficiency

Even though Kasia and Tomek had a very challenging beginning as being total newbies to the farming life and what’s even worse their first experience with carnivores was rather unpleasant they gave room to the science and reason and treated possible threats with proven solutions.

Sometimes the outsiders have a fresh look at the problems that for some reasons seem unsolvable to the people who are accustomed to certain ways. As Kasia says:

The truth is that many of nearby farmers work extremely hard and sometimes they don’t have enough time or a source to acquire a proper knowledge. They fear that some solutions are expensive, however damages from inaction can be far more costly. The reality is that this is neither so complicated nor unaffordable. And there are institutions and programs that can help. In my case I received a fence form the local Regional Directorate for The Protection of the Environment.  I’m also planning to apply for a guarding dog in the future.

Kasia and Tomek are a fantastic examples of possible coexistence with carnivores, however most farmers need more incentives, financial support and most of all easily accessible knowledge combined with training. That will require change of attitudes which is one of the biggest barriers of all and hopfully Kasia & Tomek case will inspire people to reconsider their farm management. As Kasia says –

 – there's a myth that only little or tiny households can protect themselves. That large areas are impossible to fence. But i have a 20 hectare half of which is forest. We were able to cover this land. The regular fence is not cheaper than electric. What’s more fencing of the entire area is not the only solution. There’s a lot of creative ways to do this for example by building a smaller pens and keep the herd at times. It all just need a will and consistency.