Hi! Welcome to Gamle Bjørka International Family Farm and Cultural and Art Hub-to-be!
I’m Claudia, and I live here on the farm with my two daughters, my amazing parents Argentina and Benoni, and a lively bunch of animals including chickens, ducks, turkeys, rabbits, and a few cats.
Together, we come from a vibrant mix of cultures – Norwegian, Romania and Greece – and our two little girls are a beautiful blend of those traditions, growing up surrounded by stories, languages, and flavors from our roots.
About the Farm:
We grow vegetables, herbs, and fruits on our farm, supplemented by berries and mushrooms from the forest, eggs from our hens, fish from the fjord or lake, and meat from the hens. We plan to add goats and pigs to become nearly self-sufficient. We also prepare food from our produce, including jams, beer, pickles, and baked goods, and we aim to build a greenhouse and make better use of our field.
We moved from Oslo to this beautiful property four years ago to fulfill our dream of establishing an organic, ecological, and self-sufficient lifestyle in the countryside, surrounded by nature. The farm, originally built in the 1950s, required extensive renovation. Despite the challenges, including a lengthy lockdown with limited amenities and twins on the way, we are proud to say that the main house is now beautifully restored. We are now focusing on the restoration of the outdoor areas and barns. Our future plans include restoring the old barns and creating a cultural arena and artist residency.
Our Vision:
As an artist working in the performing arts, I founded a nonprofit culture organization that has received support to help turn this farm into a cultural hub. The dream: a living farm where artistic expression and sustainable living nurture each other in true symbiosis.
We’re in the process of restoring the two original barns from the 1950s, reimagining them as creative spaces for interdisciplinary artists. The focus is on performance, music, and ecological thinking.
We’re committed to using local materials, preserving the soul of the buildings, and working in harmony with the environment. Nature, recycling, and respect for tradition are central values in everything we do.
Meet the rest of the Family:
Argentina and Benoni are the heart and mind behind our agriculture. Argentina, present on the farm daily, will guide you through everything related to agriculture, food preparation, gardening, and animal care. Benoni, though working full-time in Oslo, is our expert handyman, skilled in building, renovation, carpentry, and cooking, as he is also a professional chef. You can catch him fixing cars on his self-made lift or creating a smart hen house or sauna.
We all speak English, and some of us speak Romanian, Greek, Norwegian, a bit of Spanish, Italian, French, and German.
Our twins are 4 years old and vibrant! They speak Norwegian, Romanian, and a bit of Greek and English.
Who We’re Looking For:
We seek individuals eager to experience the Norwegian countryside, help care for animals, participate in gardening, learn new skills, and contribute to building a cultural art hub from scratch. We are looking for independent, self-reliant team players who can be valuable parts of our farm. Tasks are varied and change daily, offering a rich and diverse experience. We believe in nurturing each person's interests and learning from one another, and with good communication, we can agree on tasks that benefit everyone. If you are interested in specific skills, please let us know.
Tasks can include general farm work, maintenance, renovation, gardening, and more. You can choose to work with animal care and land management, or on the renovation of the barns, or both. Tasks vary with weather, season, and other factors.
Argentina runs the farm during weekdays and will guide you in your daily tasks. Sometimes, we might agree that you will work in the evening when another family member is available, depending on the task and what you want to learn.
Activities:
Animal Care: Feeding and caring for chickens, ducks, turkeys, and cats.
Gardening: Planting, seed saving, harvesting, weeding, tree and flower planting, building vegetable gardens, and general garden maintenance.
Green house planting, make it ready, take care and maintenance.
Renovation of Barns/Building/Maintenance
Preparation: Cleaning and site preparation of the old barn.
Construction: Tearing down walls, painting, building, and other renovation tasks to transform old barns into a studio and residency space. Building new sheds for the animals and making new fences.
General: Housework, maintenance, farm work, and hands-on production.
With us, you can also practice foreign languages, learn cooking from different traditions and cuisines, and learn food preparation, gardening, and carpentry. If you are an artistic soul, Claudia can guide you into the arts scene in Oslo, and you may even follow her work to gain experience. The house is in a very quiet area and offers different spaces for you to focus on your interests during your free time.
We offer two unique accommodation options:
Studio Apartment:
Location: Ground floor with a private entrance.
Features: Private bathroom, double bed, and sofa bed, accommodating 1-3 persons.
Amenities: Access to a working/brewery room with basic kitchen appliances and a large balcony with views of the garden and forest. You can prepare your own small meals in the brewery or use the large kitchen in the house.
Apartment:
Location: Private entrance located in private building.
Features: 2 bedrooms, living room, bathroom, kitchen. Accommodating 1-4 persons.
Amenities: Basic kitchen appliances.
As an international family with a rich history of living and traveling around the world, we are used to hosting people from various cultures. While we value our privacy and tranquility, we are always open to meeting new people and learning from each other's experiences.
Feel free to make yourself at home, enjoy the peaceful surroundings, and immerse yourself in the cultural exchange we offer.
The farm is located in the Hadeland region, surrounded by stunning scenery and rich cultural heritage, close to Randsfjorden (Norway's fourth-largest lake). The area offers numerous activities, such as hiking and cultural experiences. For more details, visit Hadeland and Ringerike.
Our farm is in a rural area surrounded by forests and fields, providing a private and tranquil environment. You'll encounter neighboring farmers, children, animals, and insects during your stay. Walking trails into the forest and nearby hills are accessible. You can go swimming in the summer. Gran village center is 10 km away reachable by buss. We also provide bicycles and car. Oslo is just one hour away with the train running all the time.
We are excited to share our journey with you and look forward to welcoming you to Gamle Bjørka. Here, you can experience the beauty of the Norwegian countryside, learn new skills, and become a part of our growing community.
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Poultry farming
Raising of other farm animals
Forestry
Flower farming
Aromatic or medicinal plants, teas
Seed saving or production
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Beer, cider, wine, or juice making
Methods or systems
Animal drafting
Biodynamic agriculture
Holistic management
Permaculture
Regenerative agriculture
Host type
Self-sufficiency property
6
Hectares
|
14.8
Acres
