Stavsmarken Farm and Sausage Maker from Vega receives award from Innovation Norway
Bente and Lars Børsheim run the farm, which has been in the family since the early 1900s. They are now the fourth generation to run it. The farm, which primarily raises pigs, has a long tradition of slaughtering livestock and processing food on site. We have now awarded the farm the regional Business Development Award for Agriculture.
Building a business and a brand
'We are delighted to have been named this year's winner of the Rural Development Award in Nordland. It is wonderful recognition of the work we have put into building our business and the Stavsmarken Gård brand. It is good to know that we have people supporting us and cheering on what we do,' says Bente Børsheim.
- 'Developing a local food business and building a brand is an incredibly exciting, challenging and enjoyable journey, but it also takes a lot of hard work. Knowing that we have people around us who offer support and act as sounding boards is incredibly important, and gives us the energy to continue the exciting journey we have embarked on,' she says.
A range of products
The farm produces a wide range of products, including cured sausages, barbecue sausages, pork tenderloin, chops, ribs, brawn, rolled pork, meatballs, pork patties and liver pâté. Time-honoured family recipes have been brought into modern production, where old and new recipes are explored and combined to create exciting flavour combinations. Some products are flavoured with seaweed and sea salt – natural ingredients shaped by the weather and winds of the Vega Islands, creating a distinctive taste experience.
The farm has both a farm shop and a café, where you can buy all the farm's products as well as other local treasures. The farm café is only open during the season, but groups can hire it all year round.
Very impressed
Our Regional Director for Nordland, Monica Ahyee, is very impressed by the award winners from Vega:
'The products from Stavsmarken Gård og Pølsemakeri are in a league of their own. They have put the municipality on the culinary map and helped local food producers in the area take greater pride in their work. The owners demonstrate a strong sense of social responsibility, and their long-standing roles in cooperative organisations have enabled them to build an extensive network,' she says.
'This also means that many people across Norway know their business. The farm is located in the heart of the World Heritage Site and showcases Vega, including as a tourism destination. They truly deserve the Rural Business Development Award, and we wish them every success as they continue to grow.'