Bull Farm wins agricultural award

Facing strong competition from several excellent candidates, Bull Farm was selected as the winner by the expert jury. They will receive NOK 50,000 and go on to represent Troms in the national award, where the winner will receive NOK 250,000.

What began in 2008 with 12 suckler cows in a converted silo and a single job has grown into a forward-looking agricultural business with ten employees and a brand that is well known throughout Troms.

‘We work hard, sometimes far too hard, but we enjoy what we do and are growing sustainably, together with the people we love most – our own herd,’ says Birger Bull after receiving the award. He already has a clear plan for how to use the prize money:

‘We’ll use the prize money to take the whole team on holiday to Italy in 2026 – we’ve certainly earned it!’

Anne Berit Figenschau, Regional Director for Innovation Norway Arctic, is deeply impressed by what the team at Bull gård has achieved:

‘Bull Gård is a great example of how dreams and hard work can create something truly unique. From a converted silo, they have built a sustainable, forward-looking business – an agricultural success story that combines value creation, tourism and pride. Initiatives like this make our region attractive and competitive,’ says Regional Director Anne Berit Figenschau.

In 2012, Bull Gård took a bold step and built what has been described as one of Norway’s most distinctive free-stall barns: the round and striking Barents Barn. Now they are taking the next step by creating tourist accommodation on the barn’s first floor. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to sleep just a few metres above a herd of bulls.

In 2020, Bull Gård decided to take control of the entire value chain. By building its own abattoir, café and local food shop, the farm created more value for its business, village and municipality. Everything sold in the shop is locally produced, and the café has become a popular meeting place for local residents and visitors alike.

Today, Bull Gård is a model for modern agricultural development and a strong example of what is possible when innovation, local roots and sustainability go hand in hand. The farm has received support from Innovation Norway, the Sámi Parliament of Norway and Troms Holding, among others. It has been described as one of Norway’s last true examples of establishing a farm from scratch, built on uncultivated land through hard work and vision.

With support and encouragement from Karlsøy Municipality, they have shown how agriculture can drive both business development and tourism, while creating jobs and fostering pride in the local community.