Åkerkvinnene wins the Rural Development Award in Vestfold and Telemark

In just a few years, the six startups have made remarkable progress, showing that networks and collaboration make each business stronger. Their joint promotion has strengthened both the group and each individual business, while Åkerkvinnenes' visibility creates opportunities far beyond what each could achieve alone. The six businesses are dotted along the route from Helgeroa to Stavern, like beads on a string.

Åkerkvinnene have created a range of visitor destinations across the Brunlanes area and Larvik municipality. The group comprises Guro Rimstad of Lillavendel, Camilla Anvik of Skjærgårdshagen, Astrid Bjørnson of Kryssgaarden, Ingunn Anvik of Ingunns hage, Sølvi Anvik of Grønn glede and Marthe Hillestad of Søndre Grevle. Their products include soaps and creams, organic cut flowers, free-range pork, vegetables, fruit, berries, eucalyptus and evergreens. They also run several farm shops with cafés and food service, and offer services such as garden events, locations for TV productions, and garden and interior design projects.

'We showcase traditions and develop our businesses in ways that present Norwegian agriculture and horticulture in a positive light. We have also shown that our unity is a strength. Joint marketing and our focus on social media have enabled us to reach a wide audience,' says Camilla Anvik on behalf of the award winners.

'This award means a great deal to us, and it will help create new opportunities and wider benefits that extend beyond us,' she says.

Åkerkvinnene was established as a result of Larvik Municipality and Colab Larvik's initiative to develop agriculture in the municipality in 2019. Since then, the group has become a visible and important part of the local community, both for Larvik residents and visitors. Anniken Fægri Damm-Larsen, our Regional Director for Vestfold and Telemark, praises the collaboration between the women:

- Åkerkvinnene are a great example of what collaboration and networks can mean for local businesses. Six different businesses with diverse backgrounds and circumstances have recognised the value of working together on promotion and marketing, making Åkerkvinnene a worthy winner of the 2023 Rural Development Award for Vestfold and Telemark.

The award winners score particularly highly on social and environmental sustainability, which played an important role in selecting this year’s winner. Together, they actively use the network in their marketing to promote Norwegian food production, sensory experiences and local products.

By working together, they reach customers across Norway despite being relatively small businesses, and have established contacts in a range of markets where customers are willing to pay. They have also created important meeting places for local people and visitors to Brulandneset. The Åkerkvinnene organise events together and make extensive use of each other’s goods and services. They employ women and young people in particular and have created jobs for many more people than themselves.

The Åkerkvinnene network excels at sharing knowledge and enhancing the reputation of agriculture and sustainable Norwegian food production through quality products and sensory experiences. Above all, Åkerkvinnene shows that innovation in agriculture creates exciting opportunities and strong results.