Rosa, horticulturist and livestock farmer, tavern keeper, direct sales of her own products and product transformer – Arrieta, Bizkaia

Since she was born in Arrieta, Rosa has been deeply linked to the rural world, living and working in a traditional farmhouse, where she learnt the value of effort and self-sufficiency from an early age. At the age of 14, her father’s death led her to take over the farm with her mother.

Throughout her life, Rosa has worked as a farmer and livestock farmer, a tavern keeper, a direct seller in local markets and a transformer of products. She worked at fairs, grew vegetables, raised pigs, made sausages, all the while keeping her connection to the land alive. Even during her time running a bar in the village, the connection to the farmhouse remained her focus.

Eventually, she and her husband moved to his farmhouse, where they continued to farm and raise livestock. For almost 30 years she raised and sold pigs, being involved in all stages of the process. Despite working tirelessly, often alone, Rosa always felt fulfilled and proud to be the owner of her own economic activity.

Rosa reflects clearly on social changes, especially with regard to the role of women. She lived through a time when women worked tirelessly, both at home and in the fields, while men had more time for rest. But she was also part of a generation that fought to win their space. She is adamant about how she learned to make herself respected in the markets and among her peers, stressing the importance of having character.

Today, on the verge of retirement and with 38 years of contributions under her belt, Rosa appreciates the progress she has made. She recognises that, if she were to start up again, she would perhaps do so as a collective, with a more collaborative vision, less centred on family ownership. She firmly believes in community work as a sustainable alternative, and in the need for work-life balance.

Although her daughter will not continue with the farm, Rosa keeps alive the hope that someone with a farming vocation will take over. For her, the essence of the countryside is still alive in tools such as the hoe, a symbol of the constant and silent work of generations.

With serenity and pride, Rosa says goodbye to her work knowing that her life has been a faithful reflection of the effort and dignity of those who have made their living from the farm. And as the phrase that accompanies her black and white portrait says: ‘Ezina ekinez egina’ – the impossible is achieved with perseverance.