SOS | Isokummun Luomu Oy

SOS – Help save Isokumpu!

Hello, dear friend of Isokumpu and its work.

We never wanted to have to write this post—and we never thought we would. Isokumpu has worked tirelessly for Finnish wool production, and it has been deeply rewarding to see how many people have discovered our products. Isokumpu wool has received international awards. Satu, the founder of the mill and an active member of the wool association, has been involved in projects across Europe and is a highly sought-after and respected expert lecturer.

Now we have both bad news and good news. Due to the global economic situation as well as human factors, the survival of the farm is now seriously at risk. The good news is that a rescue team has been formed to enable the farm’s survival—and you have the opportunity to be part of it. We urgently need your help.

You may already be familiar with our yarns, but if you are not yet fully acquainted with our farm’s work, we would first like to tell you what kind of activities you have the opportunity to help save. After that, we will explain how you can get involved.

What does Isokumpu do, and why are its ethical and ecological operations unique?

The Isokumpu farm has been in operation for five generations. Since Satu took over the farm, the focus has been on sheep—wool and organic meat production. The guiding principle has always been to do things with the highest quality and in an ethically sustainable way, while respecting Finland’s rich agricultural and craft traditions.

The sheep are raised organically on the farm. In wool production, it is essential to produce the best possible yarn from native-breed wool without destroying its natural properties through harmful treatments or chemicals. The wool is not transported abroad for washing. Instead, Isokumpu has developed its own production processes, resulting in exceptionally high-quality yarn made from internationally awarded wool and produced without toxic chemicals.

The farm is run entirely as a family business, with everything done in-house from start to finish. When the sheep’s final journey comes, they are not subjected to long, stressful transports or crowded slaughterhouses. Instead, they are guided calmly across the yard by a familiar and trusted person, avoiding the ordeal often associated with mass production. Increasingly, people are recognizing the value of ethically and locally produced meat.

Native breeds and environmental management

Isokumpu has also done extensive and important work to protect native sheep breeds. The farm has around 400 ewes, and the total number of sheep—including lambs and breeding rams—is close to 700. Among them are representatives of very rare lineages.

The Kainuugrey sheep, whose wool is particularly soft and fine, is in danger of disappearing altogether. In recent years, their numbers have fallen to an alarmingly low level. Isokumpu is home to more than 100 Kainuugrey sheep.

Finland’s rural landscapes have undergone major changes in recent decades as grazing livestock have declined. To preserve culturally and historically significant landscapes, grazing animals are essential. During the summer, Isokumpu sheep graze in locations such as Ämmänranta in Kalajoki (a Natura 2000 area), Kalaranta in Lohtaja (a culturally and historically valuable traditional landscape), Vanha Pappila in Sievi (a biodiversity site), and municipal pasture areas in Sievi.

Maintaining these pastures requires extensive physical labor in addition to transportation, including building and maintaining fences. However, it allows the sheep to live in the way they have for centuries.

The sheep are sheared by our own staff, and the wool is washed on the farm—an approach that is far more environmentally friendly than transporting wool abroad for washing.

Working for high-quality domestic wool, European cooperation, and security of supply

All of this is driven by a passion to do things with heart, in the best possible way for both the environment and animal welfare. As the founder and driving force of the spinning mill, Satu has worked tirelessly to restore Finnish and European wool production to its rightful value.

She is an active member of the wool association and the founder of the European Wool Association, where she serves as a board member. She is trained as a British Wool shearing instructor and is the founder and vice-chair of the Finnish Shearers’ Association. She also serves as an international wool expert for the Finnish Sheep Association.

Satu’s international roles include expert work in the EU CAP Network Focus Group 57 on the wool value chain and membership in the European Wool Task Group established by the IWTO. International events and competitions have been organized at the Isokumpu farm, and Satu has gained extensive expertise through participation in global wool events. She is widely respected as a wool advocate with exceptional knowledge.

Yarn production is handled by Satu’s brother, Sami. His technical education, deep understanding of machinery, and long experience in the technical field have made it possible for traditional spinning machines to produce yarn that knitters consistently praise for its exceptional quality—standing proudly alongside internationally renowned yarn brands.

Isokumpu’s 100% domestic wool is a natural, microplastic-free raw material whose production benefits Finland in many ways. Questions of national security of supply are increasingly important, and maintaining domestic production is a significant part of that security.

Why we need help now

All of this invaluable work is now at risk if we do not receive the funding needed to save the farm. We prefer not to disclose all of the human factors involved, including our own health challenges and those of our loved ones, but the situation is also closely tied to the broader economic climate.

Our resilience has been severely tested, and at times despair has taken hold. Still, we are not ready to give up. Isokumpu has enormous potential that has not yet been fully realized, partly due to limited marketing resources. We are deeply grateful for the encouragement we have received from wool advocates who have followed our work and urged us to explore every possible option for Isokumpu’s future.

That is why we now invite you to join us.

How can you help?

To save the Isokumpu farm, an equity investment campaign has been launched, giving you the opportunity to become part of the Isokumpu community.

By making a non-returnable equity investment, you can take part in a unique cultural effort and help ensure the continuation of primary production and the creation of some of the world’s finest wool within a family-run business.

Investments can be made in units of €100, and you may invest in as many units as you wish.

What does this mean in practice?

In an equity investment, funds from outside the company are invested directly into the company’s equity without issuing shares, options, or other rights (source: PRH).

As an equity investor, you act as a patron or supporter—someone who wants to safeguard an operation they value and follow its development. Investors become part of the Isokumpu community, with whom we maintain closer contact and for whom we organize open-house visits and events at the farm.

Equity investments can be purchased through our online store. After your purchase, you will receive a printable certificate of support and personal invitations to Isokumpu community events. The first event will take place in early June, when the sheep are moved to their summer pastures.

Every contribution is immensely important, and time is limited. Our goal is to reach the required number of supporters by the end of March.

Supporting in other ways

If you are unable to invest financially, you can still provide invaluable support by sharing information about the campaign on social media.

Instagram: @isokummun
Facebook: SOS – Isokumpu

Because social media platforms often limit the visibility of campaigns without paid promotion, every like, share, comment, and mention is extremely important. We fully understand that not everyone is currently in a position to invest financially—but even spreading the word can make a real difference.

You can use the following hashtags when sharing:
#sosisokumpu #tuenisokumpua #isokummun #supportisokummun

For further information, please contact:
Satu Kumpulainen +358 40 7399 027

Thank you sincerely for your interest in Isokumpu’s work and products. We hope that our journey together can continue.

Warmest regards,

Isokumpu Rescue Team