I am so incredibly privileged that I was given the chance to continue running a small farm on a steep slope in Western Norway, and here I have gone my own way, but it is still with the same essence and basic idea as previous generations: creating life, cultivating the land on organic principles, maintaining and increasing diversity and using the resources we have. Here, honey and beeswax have emerged from the interaction between our bees and flowers, and a skin and hair care series that I am really proud of where I get to use a lot of the plant diversity that is found right here. In addition, I cultivate communication and experiences, because when someone learns and is moved, then I believe that you can contribute with something lasting. For me, this is being a midwife. I am a midwife!
I am so incredibly privileged that I was given the chance to continue running a small farm on a steep slope in Western Norway, and here I have gone my own way, but it is still with the same essence and basic idea as previous generations: creating life, cultivating the land on organic principles, maintaining and increasing diversity and using the resources we have. Here, honey and beeswax have emerged from the interaction between our bees and flowers, and a skin and hair care series that I am really proud of where I get to use a lot of the plant diversity that is found right here. In addition, I cultivate communication and experiences, because when someone learns and is moved, then I believe that you can contribute with something lasting. For me, this is being a midwife. I am a midwife!
I made both Emil and all the products on the table ;) I am a midwife who takes care of the magic nature gives us.
Being able to run a farm, having the chance to cultivate the land, produce food, drink and services in a long-term and environmentally friendly way, having the opportunity to use the diverse resources that a farmer actually has, I believe will be one of the most positive and luxurious things in the future.
Yet, there are very few young farmers in Norway today. Less than 10% of Norwegian farmers are under 40 years old, and the average age of a farmer is 54 years old. This is dramatic, but even more reason to ring the bells is that the proportion of women is only 16% of all Norwegian farmers. Measures must be taken here to give the sprouts who sit at school desks, in offices, who work as substitutes, who want a small farm, who have innovative ideas for property and neighborhoods the opportunity to reach for the sun, create and take part in the most positive workplace of the future!
There are so many initiatives that could be initiated, and each individual farm has its own unique opportunities. Big, bigger, largest in buildings, machinery, investments and political words, are not part of that package of measures if I had my way. It would rather focus on green entrepreneurship from junior high schools, get more organic agricultural schools like SJH in Aurland, make it attractive with agroecology and regenerative agriculture at colleges and universities, and of course as a larger part of the first-line services in the municipality. Young people should see what an abundant toolbox of opportunities they have.
There are only 16% women in agriculture in Norway, but you see how knowledgeable and creative many women are. Aina at Hakallegarden in Sunnmøre is a woman who has invested and created successfully over many years, and she is for me a very good example of daring to be unconventional and follow your heart to communicate, learn, create important experiences and interactions between humans and animals. She has frolicked freely and colorfully, she has been herself to the fullest, and she has a barn that must be the world's coziest business, cafe, visitor farm and showcase for the diversity of agriculture. She does her work with closeness and love for the land and the many species of animals she takes care of. She is a true midwife. The same is true of wild boar pioneer Hilde in Værlandet, who, together with her handsome husband, takes care of cultural landscapes and heathlands through thousands of years of traditions and at the same time runs excellent sheep farming and food production right out in the harshest and most westernized society in Norway. And these are just two examples, and I could write a book series in several volumes about all these talented and important ladies.
Here, on the steepest mountains, Anne Karin milks her goats twice a day, and makes delicious unpasteurized cheese from Skjerdal farm in Aurland.
I am lucky enough to know many female midwives and green entrepreneurs, and what we have in common is that we dare to be ourselves, we dare to spread our color palette and take the risk of being really naked sometimes. It can be tough and cruel, and enormously rewarding and permeated with positivity. We do it to learn and communicate, to create, to contribute, and to cultivate, sow and reap in the many meanings of the word.
The hallmark of women farmers is often creative methods, a tenacious work ethic and exuberant creativity. A study shows just this: women in agriculture have more desire and will for change, and dare to take new paths, while men often prefer traditional agriculture. We need both, but we need a far greater share than we have today of the will to change and the courage to make non-traditional and sustainable choices. We need many more young farmers and especially more women in agriculture, women who dare and do not let themselves be limited.
My grandmother told me about my great-grandmother Guri, who worked hard and created a lot on the farm when my grandmother was growing up in the 1920s and 1930s. Women farmers also became politically and internationally important at the time my grandmother was growing up, when the war drew men into the army, and women were left on the farms with the responsibility of producing national food security. There were campaigns to get more women involved in agriculture, and among other things, their own organizations were established, such as WLAA, Women's Land Army of America. Their advertising poster said: Get behind the woman he left behind. Join the Land Army. Maybe it's time for new campaigns again, a new army of women farmers? Our planet is threatened, we are threatened, and change is coming, and I believe women farmers will be at the forefront of our sustainable future.
In all cultures, our planet is referred to as Mother Earth. The Earth is connected to the feminine, and I believe it is time for women (and men of course) to reconnect with the earth, the farm, and our planet, make regenerative choices, take agroecology seriously, and use our energies in the most positive workplace of the future. Let us be midwives!