Vossabia wins national award!
‘I’m overwhelmed, moved and incredibly proud. The businesses shortlisted for this award are fantastic, and I see every one of them as a worthy winner. It’s very exciting to receive this kind of recognition when you run an unconventional business in a rural area,’ says an emotional Renate Lunde, head of Vossabia, after the award is announced.
The winning company from Voss in Vestland county makes skincare and haircare products using local, organic ingredients available on the farm, such as honey, beeswax and wild herbs. Renate sees what others call weeds as potential ingredients.
Renate Lunde and Vossabia win the national award ahead of the other two finalists: Hørte gård from Buskerud and Til Elise Fra Marius from Nordland.
A worthy winner
The award was presented during International Grüne Woche, taking place in Berlin this week. Minister of Agriculture and Food Geir Pollestad presented the award to the winner on our behalf.
'This shows that it is possible to create significant value from a farm’s resources through a somewhat unconventional form of agriculture. We would like to see more of this,' says Minister of Agriculture and Food Geir Pollestad of the award winner.
Our CEO, Håkon Haugli, is full of praise for the company that ultimately emerged victorious over its competitors.
'This award is truly well deserved,' says Haugli.
'Renate Lunde has done a fantastic job with Vossabia, showing what is possible when you think creatively. Producing skincare and haircare products may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you picture a farm in Western Norway, but here it has proved to be a real winning formula,' he says.
– Renate and Vossabia are doing something that we hope will inspire others. Making use of the resources available to you is simply 'good business', Haugli concludes.
Effective marketing
Through effective marketing and a range of exciting products, Renate Lunde and Vossabia have reached an impressive 100,000 customers and 120 retailers across Norway. This has enabled the company to achieve strong growth, supported by healthy finances and solid results.
'We are continuing to grow and have now submitted an application to build new business premises that will help take the company to the next level,' says the recent award winner.
Business Development Award in Agriculture
Each year, we award the Business Development Award in Agriculture on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. The award recognises those who have built a successful business or industry based on rural and agricultural resources. Each county selects a winner, who receives NOK 50,000. The county winners then compete for the national award of NOK 250,000. Here you can see the regional award winners.
Regional winners 2024
Agder: Lauvverket, Hægebostad - sawmill specialising in hardwood processing
Akershus: De Haes nursery, Jevnaker - organic family-run nursery
Buskerud: Hørte gård, Sylling - vegetable producer
Finnmark: Ingers farm food, Alta - local food production
Innlandet: Superkraftmat, Nes – producer of processed stock products
Møre og Romsdal: Brennevinsgrova, Straumgjerde – producer of gin, aquavit and whisky
Nordland: Til Elise Fra Marius, Rana - culinary experiences and accommodation
Oslo: Villbrygg - beverage producer
Rogaland: Apal Cider in Ryfylke – fruit growing and cider production
Telemark: Nerø Cidery, Notodden - cider production
Troms: Strømmen Farm, Nordreisa - cheese production
Trøndelag: Øyriket - food network
Vestfold: Moskvil korn, Horten - grain and seed cleaning facility
Vestland: Vossabia, Voss - skincare and haircare manufacturer
Østfold: Norsk urkorn, Trøgstad - farm bakery and shop