Dairy Farmer Claudia Helps More People Discover Opportunities in Sweden

Almost thirty years ago, Claudia and her family left the Netherlands for a new life on a dairy farm outside Korsberga in Hjo Municipality. They haven’t regretted the move for a second! Today, she helps other dairy farmers from the Netherlands find farms in Sweden.

It’s been 28 years since Claudia Gloudermans left the Netherlands and moved to a farm outside Korsberga in Hjo Municipality.

"Even back then, it was common for dairy farmers to move from the Netherlands, but most went to Denmark. I don’t know anyone else who moved to Sweden as early as we did. But we didn’t feel that Denmark was right for us. My dad, who drove trucks a lot, suggested Sweden."

And so, Claudia and her family moved to Sweden. Since they had no prior connections to the country, it was the right farm that determined where they ended up—and by chance, it was in Skaraborg. Something Claudia is very happy about today.

"I really enjoy living in Skaraborg, and so has the whole family! Two of my daughters no longer live at home, but my oldest, who always longed for a big city, got tired of it after three years in Linköping where she studied. Now she wants to move back and buy a house in Korsberga!"

Helping others find farms

Claudia doesn’t just work on her own dairy farm—she also works with a company called Interfarms, helping people in the Netherlands find farms in Sweden.

"I help other dairy farmers who are tired of the Netherlands, just like I was. The conditions for running a dairy farm there are completely different. The rules about animal husbandry change all the time, making it hard to invest in your farm—you never know if what you build will still be approved two years later."

According to Claudia, the situation in Sweden is much more stable. Sure, there are rules here too, but they’re easier to understand, and there’s a long-term perspective that allows you to plan, invest, and develop your business. She also describes profitability as better. And then there’s the positive view of dairy farmers.

"In the Netherlands, some people react negatively when you tell them you’re a dairy farmer. Here, it’s the opposite! In Sweden, people are happy that there are farmers nearby who grow crops and raise animals."

When Claudia helps someone considering a move to Sweden, she always starts by recommending they visit first. It’s important to understand what you’re moving to.

"It’s not just about the job. Moving to a new country is much bigger than that. I usually say you have to want to live and die in Sweden for it to work out."

Important to Become Part of Society

Claudia herself wasn’t raised on a farm and had no plans to become a farmer in her youth.

"But I fell in love with a dairy farmer, and then things just turned out that way," she laughs.

Today, she describes herself as a dairy farmer, but she also thinks it’s important to have a life outside the industry.

"I got involved early in my children’s interest in figure skating. In 2012, I was asked to become the chairperson of Tibro Figure Skating Club, which they were part of. That gave me a bigger network in the community and new friends. I want to talk about something other than milk and corn sometimes!"

Claudia has two pieces of advice for those moving to Sweden: learn the language and build a network among Swedes.

"Swedish culture is a little different from the Netherlands, and there were some things we had to learn when we moved here. But we’ve never regretted it—this is where we want to live!"

This text has been translated with the help of AI.