Indrefjord Farm wins the 2023 Rural Development Award for Vestland
At Indrefjord Gard, young people facing challenges and with additional needs are given new opportunities. With Ina Nordahl Sognnes and Ole-Ivar Åm Sognnes, they may even find employment.
'The regional winner of the Business Development Award in Agriculture in Vestland shows what a farming couple can achieve when they work purposefully to develop their farm, dare to invest and build step by step. Starting with a medium-sized farm in Hyllestad in Western Norway and a broad range of interests, they have created four to five jobs in dairy farming, rural services, equine business and farm-based welfare services,' says Rolf Sørland, Acting Regional Director at our Vestland office.
Inspires continued effort
Ina and Ole-Ivar are delighted that they can now call themselves BU Award winners:
'The award motivates us to keep moving forward. We are grateful and delighted to have been nominated and to receive the award. It is wonderful to see our efforts and farm operations recognised. This inspires and motivates us to continue developing the farm for the future,' says Ole-Ivar, adding that the Rural Business Development Award helps raise awareness of different types of farming and supplementary agricultural enterprises.
Free-range housing, diverse activities and community spirit
In 2016, they took the plunge and began building what was then one of the smallest free-stall barns in Vestland. The farm building was completed in 2019 after an impressive amount of work on their part. It houses around 25 dairy cows and 75 cattle in total, as well as seven horses. They have a milk quota of 160 tonnes and supply around 10 tonnes of beef each year.
Through their rural services business, they carry out a range of landscaping, gardening, agricultural and construction work for private and public-sector customers.
The horses are a natural part of the farm's resources and are used for a variety of purposes where appropriate, from farm work and guided tours to other assignments. Herding and monitoring cattle on open pasture is a popular activity that has attracted considerable attention. Horses also play an important role in the Inn på Tunet programme.
New construction projects
The next construction project is now in its initial phase: an extension to the farm building that will improve the facilities for their 'Inn på tunet' services and horses. With two children, both spouses actively involved in the business and many services to deliver, life on the farm is busy.
'We have generally had one or two full-time employees, as well as additional help and relief workers. Everyone involved pulls together during demanding periods, whether it is seasonal farm work or a construction project. In our day-to-day operations, we focus on routines and carrying out the various tasks,' says Ole-Ivar.
The award winner believes we have played an important role in helping them achieve what they have:
- Innovation Norway has actively supported us through two phases of farm development, helping us turn our plans for the farm into reality. This has enabled us to build a new facility for dairy production, and we are now working on a new project for our 'Inn på tunet' farm-based welfare services and the horses. Both projects have involved a significant amount of our own work, support from Innovation Norway and financing from Sparebanken Sogn og Fjordane. Innovation Norway's support has been essential in enabling us to carry out the projects, he concludes.