Prestegården in Froland is located in Froland municipality in the southern part of Norway. The farmhouse is idyllically positioned on the banks of the river of Nidelva, and is only five minutes on foot to the nearest train station and a fifteen minutes drive to the coastal town Arendal, which has a population of 38000.
The farmhouse was built in 1850 and is steeped in history, it was originally where the local priest, a very prominent figure at that time, would have lived. The farm was and still has a significant value to the local community. The area of the farm comprises in a mixture of arable land, grazing and woodland.
The family of four Douglas(34) originally from Scotland, Solveig(30) from Norway, and our two children Isla(6) and Bjørn(3) overtook the farm in the beginning of 2020. In this time we have established an organic market garden that provides vegetables for local customers. The market garden is situated on approximately 1/4 acre of land overlooking the river and is a beautiful place to work especially in the summer, as if it gets too hot a swim in the river is a refreshing way to solve this problem. We currently have 12 free range pigs. They help us to establish new grazing areas as well as provide us quality meat that we sell directly from the farm. We have a growing flock of pastured laying hens currently totalling around 130, with more chicks on the way, and Moscuvey ducks used both for egg and meat production. In addition we have 21 cattle big and small Dexter and Galloway cows. And normally two sets of 12 free range pigs in the year. I am also in the process of making a little bakery for making sourdough bread, buns and pizza! I am more than happy to share any skill/knowledge with baking and also my new favourite kombucha!
On our farm we have the philosophy of utilizing the available resources, and letting both plants and animals work together to create a healthy and biodiverse ecosystem. Many modern farming practices have moved away from this approach, favoring artificial fertilizers and mechanical methods and some might think it belongs to the past. We however believe strongly in this approach and believe this is the only way for our world and for the farmers in it to survive. 2025 will be another year of hard work and fun and we have a lot of exciting plans for the year and in the future. We would be happy if you want to be a part of this exciting journey.
Organic methods: The market garden is beginning its third year of production and is organically certified. This means we have to follow and document the organic practices we use. We follow organic practices with our other entities, for example the winter haylage for cows and sheep is certified organic. We also do not use artificial fertilizer or pesticides anywhere on the farm and we rotationally graze all of our animals on the farm. We like to follow regenerative farming principles and this is fundamental to what we do.
Certifications: Debio organic certified cattle and Market garden (vegetables)
Current projects: Depending on the time of year the main focus will shift. In the winter/early spring day to day activities will include feeding the animals and cutting down trees for firewood as well as opening up areas of grazing that have become overgrown. We are also in the process of building a room in the cellar for a bakery. We also use the winter months to plan the coming season and start sowing our first seeds indoors in January. I am also expecting a baby in early January, so we are in extra need for some good farm help the months before and after!!
As the snow resides and spring comes, the tempo of sowing indoors for the market garden will increase. The last of the trees for firewood will be taken and in April the main focus will be on the market garden and the animals.
As the weather warms up, the grass starts growing and we move the chickens out on pasture and daily tasks involving checking/ moving them will begin. Cows will be out on pasture from May, and cleaning out of the cow shed will then be done. Preparations to the market garden will begin and the first plants will be planted out in the soil. Succession planting indoors will continue as it will for most of the growing season. Repairs to any damage done by winter weather will also happen when there is a chance.
In late spring/early summer we will begin to harvest the first vegetables from the market garden and prepare them for sale, prepare garden beds for planting/ sowing and get the tomato plants out in the greenhouse. Daily animal duties will continue as normal.
Summer will be full steam ahead in the market garden cutting grass and enjoying the warm weather and long days.
Autumn will be harvesting apples, berries and potatoes as well as preparing the cow shed and greenhouse for the animals going in for the winter. As the season draws to a close the market garden will be prepared for winter.
The list above is certainly not extensive, one of the great things about our farm is no two days are alike and when working with animals, seldom do things go exactly as planned.
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Poultry farming
Pig farming
Cattle farming
Sheep or goat farming
Raising of other farm animals
Forestry
Meat processing
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Methods or systems
Holistic management
No-till farming
Regenerative agriculture
Host type
Production farm
Certified organic
32
Hectares
|
79.1
Acres
