He worked at a construction firm, moved to the countryside and became a farmer

Galip Topcalı, who worked at a construction firm, said regarding his decision that he and his wife had always dreamed of engaging in animal husbandry, and that they decided to settle in a village while moving from Antalya to Samsun for his job.

The couple, Gizem and Galip Topcalı, parents of two daughters who moved from Antalya to Samsun in 2020, decided to continue their lives in the rural area they had dreamed of.

Galip Topcalı, who bought land and settled in the Çandır neighborhood of the 19 Mayıs district, began growing his own vegetables and raising livestock on approximately 4 decares of land.

Thanks to their 2 breeding sheep, 4 cows, around 50 chickens, and the vegetables they grow in their garden, the Topcalı couple produces a significant portion of the products they need themselves.

The couple also finds the opportunity to earn income by selling the portion of their production that exceeds their needs.

"IT WAS A BIT DIFFICULT FOR THE CHILDREN"

Stating that the transition from city to village life was easy for them, Topcalı said, "It was a bit difficult for the children. We have our sheep, chickens, cows, and calves here. I usually help my wife when I am free. I mostly support my wife. I carry the feed and water for the animals."

Explaining that they have been producing their own food since settling in the village, Topcalı added, "Extra income also started to come in. We sell eggs and milk. My wife makes butter and cheese. A customer portfolio has started to form. We are happy, my wife is happy, the children are happy, and our animals are happy."

"COMING TO THIS CALM HAS BEEN VERY GOOD FOR ME"

Gizem Topcalı said that they lived in a house 3 kilometers from the sea in Antalya, and that the flow of life changed for them when they started living in the rural area in Samsun.

Stating that they started animal husbandry with chickens and bought sheep after a year, Topcalı said, "We said let's progress, I have a lot of lambs. This year we said 'let's raise cows', and while we were wondering 'Can we do it, can we handle it?', it happened, and it was completed when we got the cows too."

Emphasizing that raising animals after apartment life in Antalya relaxed her a lot, Topcalı continued:

"Coming from that life to this calm has been very good for me. I feel as if I have grown up in this environment for years. In apartment life, I would start the day by having breakfast, but here I start by feeding my animals first. My priority became my animals. Then it's my turn. I say, 'Their lives come first.' Milking them, cleaning, feed, chicken eggs, care, sheep—the day is already over by the time I'm done."

Pointing out that she makes curd cheese, butter, and yogurt from the animals' milk, Topcalı noted the following:

"First of all, we switched to a healthy lifestyle as a family, then we started selling the surplus of what we produced. I also have a small garden that I plant. We make preserves from there. We go to the market almost only to buy potatoes and onions. We also sell what we produce. We have had an additional budget from there. I have support for the house and my children. I have gotten very used to this life; we could never do city life again. I don't know if it will be here or if life will drag us somewhere else, but we can no longer do city life."

News Source: AA