Monssveen Gaard wins the Rural Development Award for Innlandet
Karen and Halvor Monsveen run Monsveen Gaard in Ring. Their farm is a traditional family-run operation with around 25 acres of cultivated land, pasture and 50 acres of woodland. In their own dairy, they process milk from the farm to produce pultost cheese, sour cream, herb butter and homemade rhubarb jam. The farm has now been named the Innlandet regional winner of our Business Development Award.
Making a living from a smallholding
'Winning this year's Business Development Award means a great deal to me,' says Karen.
- 'The award recognises the work Halvor and I have put into our smallholding. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks, not only to Innovation Norway, but to everyone who believed in us and helped us successfully develop and make the most of all the farm's resources. I cannot mention everyone, but no one is forgotten. Special thanks go to Ringsaker Municipality, which nominated us for the award, and to all our loyal customers. We have turned it into a livelihood, and we can now see that the younger generation wants to take over and carry it forward. That makes me incredibly happy and proud,' says the award winner.
In addition to producing local food, the farm offers a wide range of cultural experiences. During the summer months, the garden overflows with flowers grown on the farm, and groups can take guided tours of the dairy and barn. The farm also has its own ponds, where you can spend the day fishing and barbecuing in scenic surroundings, with animals grazing nearby. You can also hire Selmahuset, which can accommodate up to 40 guests for catered events.
– Very impressed
'The Monssveen couple have made the most of their farm and created positive ripple effects throughout the village. The farm now employs several people, and we are very impressed by what the couple have achieved with its resources. We wish Karen every success as she continues to run the farm,' says Sverre Bjørnstad, EVP for Innovation Norway in Innlandet.
The jury's reasoning: For many years, Karen and Halvor Monssveen have worked to develop their farm dairy, producing exquisite traditional products of outstanding quality. With just 17 dairy cows, they have both worked full-time on the farm and succeeded in making a living from it. For many years, they have been role models for those looking to establish an additional farm-based business. By ensuring quality at every stage, from production to sales, Karen and Halvor have built trust with their customers, which has led to increased sales.