Vision

A vital countryside is vital to all Finns

Mission

MTK is an interest organisation for farmers, forest owners and rural entrepreneurs. MTK looks after its members’ social and economic status as well as the profitability of their enterprises and the protection of private property.

MTK improves the livelihood in the countryside:

• Farmers produce good and safe food and non-food products for the consumers while taking care of the rural landscape and environment.
• Forest owners produce wood, other forest products and services, looking after their forests according to the principles of sustainable forestry.
• Rural entrepreneurs offer high-quality products, services and experiences.

MTK strives for a countryside, which provides a good environment for working and running a business and an agreeable place for life and leisure.

Values

Continuity beyond generations

Farmers, forest owners and rural entrepreneurs treat well the animals, fields, forests, rural landscape and environment. For the people in the countryside the sustainable development is a part of everyday life.

The vitality and production capacity of the fields and forests as well as the cleanness of water system is cherished from one generation to another.

Skills, professional pride, basic values of life, recognising one’s roots and rural spirit are passed from one generation to another. Farm and enterprise are developed so that the next generations will receive it in even better state.

Communal spirit and looking after fellow people guarantee continuity.

Equality and fairness

Members are socially equal with other groups of citizens. Basic services belong to everybody on an equal basis regardless of their occupation or place of residence.

Equality and social fairness also mean that income and social security of rural people develop on a comparable manner with other groups in the society.

Equality and fairness are promoted in all activities:

• Members have an equal opportunity to bring in their proposals, opinions and problems to the table for discussion and action.
• Concerns of different regions, sectors and production branches are promoted in a responsible, objective and fair way.
• The position of the women and youth in the organisation is strengthened.
• Positions of trust are to be filled so that members’ views are brought forward widely in all activities.
• Personnel have an equal chance to career development, training and responsibilities from their own premises.

Entrepreneurship

The vitality of the Finnish countryside is based on family farms, forestry, multifaceted entrepreneurship and private ownership.

Rural entrepreneurship is constant progress and regeneration. Work and know-how must have an influence on the results of efforts taken.

Entrepreneur can cope with his work when the operation is financially profitable and when family, social relations and skill development are fitted in a well-balanced way with the work.

Openness

On all levels of the organisation the activities are planned, prepared and carried out with the members, based on their needs.

Commitment to the organisation comes through common targeting and participation. The organisation operates according to collectively decided policy.

Decisions, opinions and their justification are informed to members, social partners and to the public.

Feedback will be obtained from the operations.The outcome will be assessed and informed to the members. The members will require results from the organisation and appreciate them.

Initiatives and problems are brought forward openly into the internal consideration of the organisation.

The organisation seeks to enter into wide co-operation and responsible dialogue with different peer groups and improves the interaction with people.

Expertise

The organisation is aware of its members everyday life i.e. farmers’, forest owners’ and rural entrepreneurs’ potential needs and expectations. MTK is a competent interest group and has special expertise on its own field. The actions of the interest group can withstand even a critical examination.

Expertise is openness and ability to listen to others. It enables promoting objectives in co-operation with different kind of people and parties. Expertise helps the organisation and its members to face the changes.

Expertise requires good professional skills and continuous learning.