Roots & BerriesGene-Works Oy

Season 2026 · Finland

Applications open

Places are open now — book yours.

Book your own place in one sitting: confirm you're eligible, choose an open camp, and pay a €84 deposit. Your place is held the moment you pay.

Pick wild berries in the forests of Finland

Gene-Works Oy works with independent pickers who already have their own legal right to stay in Finland and collect natural products.

Season 2026 · Finland · Independent gathering

Read the season conditions

Operator for season 2026

Gene-Works Oy has received a positive KEHA Centre reliability decision for the 2026 season.

No visa service

Pickers must have their own legal right to stay in Finland. Gene-Works does not arrange visas, residence permits or work permits.

Independent gatherers

Pickers are not employees. They collect berries independently and sell the berries they deliver.

No recruitment fees

Gene-Works does not charge any recruitment fees to pickers.

How your place is booked

You book your own place in one sitting.

1

Create your account

Register and get your Picker ID. Fill in your details and upload the documents that show your own legal right to be in Finland.

2

Confirm you're eligible

A quick automatic check on the details you enter — that you have your own right to be in Finland for the dates you choose.

3

Choose an open camp

Pick from the camps with places open right now. Available places update live as others book, so you always see what's really free.

4

Pay €84 — place held instantly

Pay the €84 deposit and upload your transfer screenshot. Your place is held the moment you do. If we can't place you, the deposit is returned in full.

Who this is for

People who can legally stay in Finland

You must have your own legal basis to stay in Finland and collect natural products. Gene-Works checks documents but does not arrange entry permits.

Experienced and first-time pickers

You can apply even if you are new to berry picking. If you have previous experience in Finland, tell us in the application.

People ready for simple camp life

Camp life is practical and shared. Rooms, kitchen, shower and toilet facilities depend on the camp.

Camp areas across Finland

Gene-Works plans several camp areas for the 2026 season. Final camp availability depends on dates, berry situation and available places.

KiteeLieksaValtimo (Nurmes)KajaaniKuhmoSuomussalmiMänttä-VilppulaSaarijärviSimoSallaHuhmari Holiday Center

Our strength is a wide camp network across Finland and the possibility to move between camps during the season if there are available places.

What every camp includes

Every Gene-Works camp provides a sleeping place, shared kitchen, shower, toilet and hot water. Room occupancy depends on the camp and may be from 2 to 8 people per room. Exact room conditions cannot be chosen in the application.

Want details about a specific camp? Message us on WhatsApp. +358 400 901 467

Your conditions, in full and up front

Everything about your place is written out before you book. Please read it carefully.

Read the season conditions

Picker rights and transparent conditions

  • Gene-Works does not charge recruitment fees.
  • Pickers choose when they pick and may leave when they decide.
  • Income is not guaranteed. It depends on delivered berries, berry quality, purchase prices, weather, harvest situation, region and individual picking.
  • Gene-Works expects respectful behaviour and equal treatment for all pickers.
  • Gene-Works provides practical information about berry picking, camp conditions, Everyman's Rights and safety before or during the season.
  • If a picker has concerns about safety, accommodation or rights, they can contact Gene-Works and the relevant Finnish authorities.

Independent gatherers, not employees

Gene-Works Oy operates under the Finnish natural-products gathering law (487/2021). Pickers work as independent gatherers and sell the berries they collect. This platform is for people who already have their own legal right to stay in Finland and collect natural products — Gene-Works does not arrange visas, residence permits or work permits.

Unless a separate written employment relationship is agreed, this is not employment and there are no guaranteed working hours or guaranteed income.

Documents you may need

To review your application, Gene-Works may ask for documents such as a passport or EU ID card, residence permit, visa or another document proving your legal basis to stay in Finland. The exact document list depends on your citizenship and legal basis.

Documents are uploaded securely in your application and are used only for application review and legal compliance. They may be shown to Finnish supervisory authorities if legally required.

The harvest

The exact harvest timing depends on the weather, berry, region and season.

Bilberry

Late July – September

Lingonberry

August – October

Cloudberry

July – early August

Questions?

Write to us on WhatsApp if you have questions about camps, arrival, accommodation options or the application.