Klefstad has been a place of residence since the 11th century. In 1469, it is first mentioned in writing as Klifstadha. The farm itself dates from the 17th century and consisted until the end of the 19th century of three tenements under the neighboring estate of Ekenäs.
The Jonsson family lived in Klefstad and Jonas Petter Jonsson bought the farm in 1893. He immediately carried out major changes, such as replacing the old barns with a new large barn for approx. 20 cows with young animals, building a lodge in 1897 and in 1905 erecting a new stable building – partly of the wood from the old farmhouses. The restaurant building had already been built in the 18th century.
Jonas Petter Jonsson died in 1911, only 45 years old, and then left the farm to his son Fritz, who was only 18 years old. Fritz therefore had no opportunity to get an education, but continued farming with his mother Alma. Fritz married Elsa in 1929 and together they had the children Birger in 1930 and Britt in 1932. With both his parents in his life, Birger had completely different circumstances, and thus had the privilege of attending Linköping’s educational institution and graduating in 1949. Birger then trained as an agronomist and was completed in 1956.
A year later, Birger took over the farm and started piglet production, which he developed into a herd of 100 sows.
In parallel with the farm operation, Birger taught during the winter semester at Skurup. When Birger and Märtha met at a dance in 1959, they soon became a couple. The following year they married and moved to Klefstad, where they have raised five children together.
*Education for rural home economics teachers ceased in 1977, but briefly covered home economics, textiles, cooking, canning, baking and gardening. With today’s renewed interest in food without additives and an environmentally conscious lifestyle, these skills are increasingly sought after. Read more about the importance of education at the time for the transition from farming society to industrial society.
Uppsala Universitet Fackskolan för huslig ekonomi
Cornell University What Was Home Economics
Cornell University Vad var huslig ekonomi [översatt via google translator]
Märtha Jonsson Home economics teacher* and restaurateur
Märtha already moved to Klefstad from Skillinge in Österlen in 1960, and then studied to become a rural household teacher at the Vocational College of Home Economics in Uppsala 1961-1964. Märtha has worked as a home consultant and consumer guide in Linköping – as well as designing kitchens for private individuals during the 70s and 80s. Märtha sees possibilities in everything and has redesigned most of the houses on the farm, so that the buildings have been carefully transformed from the economy buildings of the time to today’s business.
Birger Jonsson Agronomist
Birger studied at Ultuna 1951-1956 and then took over the farm from his father. During the 1950s, Birger taught at Skurup in Skåne, where in 1959 he met Märtha. Birger taught at Vreta Klosters agricultural school, worked as a lay auditor for Odal, the Slaughter Association and Kontrollhudar, and sat on Farmek’s board. Throughout his time at Klefstad, Birger grasped new technology and new methods and was at the forefront of development. An example of this is when Birger invested in solar cells on the newly built machine hall in 1981, as well as a computer in the same year. Birger left us in 2017, but the ideas and technology remain – a legacy we try to preserve in the best possible way.
Both Märtha and Birger worked for periods full-time as farmers on the farm, where production has alternated between dairy cows, meat animals and pigs. Since 1986, they have run the Klefstad farm restaurant together, which has since been converted into room and breakfast.
Elina Jonsson
Daughter Elina has taken over the farm and runs it together with Märtha in the same spirit – sometimes remotely as she periodically works abroad.
