Farming

Since it was settled by the first colonists, the landscape has undergone significant changes because with the arrival of the Czechs, intensive deforestation began. Arable land and meadows, and to a lesser extent communal pastures, were created. The original forests were replaced by a cultivated agroforestry landscape, and forests remained in inaccessible and remote locations. The desire to distribute the land fairly to the settlers, taking into account its quality, gave rise to one of the most distinctive features of the local landscape – its very fine mosaic-like character. The fields and meadows allocated to one family were scattered throughout the village and the fields were small. Rotational farming was used, with winter, spring and forage crops alternating in the fields over the years. Cereals, maize, potatoes and vegetables were grown mainly for own consumption. Cows, pigs and poultry were kept as livestock. The people of St. Helena were largely self-sufficient and made common small tools in their homes. There were craftsmen in the village, such as blacksmiths, carpenters and coopers, who provided more specialized work.