WHY WE BOUGHT A REMOTE FARM IN NORWAY | our story
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- Опубліковано 28 гру 2021
- This is the story of how me and my wife ended up in a remote farm in Norway. Join us on the daily life and shores on our Norwegian farm/homestead.
Hi, my name is Eirik. This is the story of how me and my wife ended up in a remote farm in Norway.
The choice of country is kind of obvious as both me and my wife are Norwegians. However that is not the only reason. It is a country full of untouched beautiful nature. From the deep fjords to the beautiful mountains. Every lungful of the clean air gives energy to body and mind. The bigger question then is why by a farm? It is no secret that small farms were abandoned for a reason. In the modern world it is not room for small inefficient farms so why by one? To answer that question, we have to go back nearly 20 years to a young adult and a Nintendo 64 game called Harvest Moon. I was a gamer in my younger days but not a typical one. I hated the popular games with war scenes and lots of fighting. For me the setting was just as important. I loved games with beautiful nature. Harvest moon was by then already an old game that I tried on a Nintendo 64 emulator on a PC. The graphics was terrible, and the story of the game was quite boring but the calm life on the farm an in the small town spoke to me. I became obsessed with the game and soon started to fantasize about creating this life for real. I spent hours locking at farms online and after a few years I bid on several small farms in the area where I grew up.
I was not successful. The cost always ended too high for what a young single guy could afford. I ended instead up buying an abended old cottage in the middle of the woods. It did not have a bathroom or indoor plumbing, but it was my little piece of nature. I used a lot of time renovating this cottage but there was always something missing. Although I loved the beautiful nature on the property and the boathouse by the fjord it could not replace my longing. I wanted land and animals. Some years later I met my wife. We bought an apartment in Bergen, the second largest city in Norway and kept the cottage as a weekend and vacation home. We both hated city. We felt trapped in the apartment. The weekends on the cottage in the woods was the only place we could breathe. We sold the apartment after just one year. The plan was to live in the cottage while saving up money to buy a farm, but the opportunity presented itself just a few weeks later.
The 32 acres farm looked perfect. The price was not too bad, and the farm was in a remote location while still close to friends and family. Due to some luck with the sale of our cottage and apartment we had the financial muscles I lacked when I was younger. The farm was ours.
We had the farm we dreamed about. Now we needed to start creating the easy lifestyle we wanted. We started with two pigs. The next animals on our farm were the sheep’s. Later we got chickens and even some turkeys. It really started to look like a farm.
Our first child came just after we bought the farm. We had wanted a child for some time, so we were in haven. The farmhouse had not been touched since the 70s so it needed a lot of renovation. He came early and so our living room were missing the windows when he moved in. Luckily, we goth them the first week.
The dynamic in the working duo changed. We were not prepared off how much work raising a baby is. I was working on the farm alone in the afternoons. In the daytime I worked an 8-hour workday with two hours commute. I always felt guilty for not spending enough time with my family. Two years late our daughter was borne. It was a happy time, but it became increasingly difficult to find time for the farm. All renovations on the farmhouse stopped.
Then came the final blow. Our daughter did not hit any of the expected milestones. We started to worry that something was wrong after the first month. We had no eye contact and no smile. When she was six months old the doctors agreed. That was the start of a one-and-a-half-year medical examination. She had a ultra-rear genetic mutation called DDX3X syndrome. So, we had the farm in our dreams but we were not living the dream. The only time we had for the farms was the leftovers after the jobs had three hours and the kids were in bead. The problem with our dream was that it was in conflict with the modern society. If you want to live of a farm you will need to have a really big one. It has to be a factory with milking robots and giant machines for harvesting. The romantic pictures I had in my mind is what is sold to our children in nighttime stories. No animals are treated that way in modern farms. Many of the animals we eat has never seen the sun.
Our farm was too small for us to make any money. It was not a job; it was a hobby. You don’t get rich from you hobby. I got a job closer to home and that helped. My wife also got a job as she had used here maternity lev. That consumed the extra time we had saved.
That's a brutally honest description of small farming. Lots of work for low returns, it has to be a labour of love, and you have to have alternate income streams to be comfortable.
I wish you and your family all the luck in the world finding a way to make it work.
Like your honest story. I am trying to realize what you do since 30+ years, but raising a family of 5 somehow kept me in my industry career. Today, I am in my young 60’s and slowly it’s time to become a farmer. Wish you all the best.
I have a small farm and can testify farm income is a joke! there is no government support, rather government competition. often what we raise is imported rather than use local production! We survive in spite of bureaucracy. there is no lack of hard physical labor but that is what attracts me! good luck to you Erik because you have it harder but are a survivor. From Montana, USA
Have already watched several of your episodes. You are a very hard working individual. The success of your endeavor will pay off in many ways, the primary one is having access to low cost, fresh food. Looking forward to viewing your many projects.
Thanks. I am glad you liked the videos and hope you will stick around when we upload new content. 😊👍
True and important message in this video🙏👍
What an awesome and brave story!
Greetings from Costa Rica.
Wish you all the best!
With pleasure I subscribe.
Thanks and welcome😊 I also release the new videos with English langue on our twin channel ua-cam.com/channels/TRe7psQwyTt3dtiYcvvJiA.html
Thanks for sharing
Forsøk å reserche Permakultur som er en regenerativ og helhetlig måte å leve og dyrke på. Det inneholder det som jeg tror er i deres drøm. Til og med energi. Passer perfekt for norske forhold. Alley cropping er ett annet som kansje kan passe hos dere. Lykke til
Takk for tipset😊👍 Det virker som et spennende konsept. Skal se nærmere på det😀
Tusen takk! Det var veldig inspirerende å se på. Håper jeg kan gjøre det samme en dag, jeg også. Vær stolte av dere selv, for det dere har oppnådd så langt. Masse lykke til videre !
Takk for en hyggelig kommentar😊
Saw your video and wow, as someone wanting to move with my Japanese wife to a new country and earn for a small farm, this is truly an inspiration.
This video deserves billion views! absolutely loved it.
You have beautiful life and family. Wish you all the best.
Than you so much😀
What a lovely video!
To get out of the city and into the nature permanently is a big dream of mine as well. Channels like yours are such an inspiration!
Best of luck and lots of love from Estonia!
🇪🇪❤️🇳🇴
Thank you very much!
Liked and subscribed for your courage to abandon your comfort zone. Came to Norway, 5 years ago. I want to move back to my country Nepal with same dream. Norway is the best country. It has acomodated me with open arms.
Thank you for reality you have a touching life story I think so many of us relate , keep up the farm work , and let me say getting rich is not the goal I think you have the goal the goal is to raise your family and you sir are doing a great job , keep it up 👍
Thanks for your kind words😊 That mean a lot👍
Hej from a farmer in the UK. This is a really cool story. Keep up the good work you two and best of luck
Thanks 👍
Watching your video from Bangladesh.
For study purposes I’m in our capital city. But my childhood to my college I spent at village where my parents used to produce different kind of firm foods. But it’s true that leading life depending on a small farm is really difficult. Good luck to you.
That is true. Farmers earn less and less. Most of the small farms in Norway are abended or just run as a hobby. Only the large industrial farms are still profitable. If you want to continue following our videos, we are releasing all the new videos in English langue on our other channel. ua-cam.com/channels/TRe7psQwyTt3dtiYcvvJiA.html Good luck with your studies. 😊👍
Fantastisk film👏 den traff meg skikkelig i dag!
Bra du likte den 😀👍
Hope you can live your dream. I live in uk. Offgrid. Im a carpenter. But also keep Bees. Its a struggle. But you must keep pushing on. My partner are going to Norway for a holiday. In a cabin north of Bergen. nickx
Thanks, and good luck to you to😊👍
Good for you! Wonderful to hear there are other folks like us in the world! My partner and I live a very similar life (without kids) in the Scottish Highlands. We have three acres and two full-time jobs, but we're nearly entirely self-sufficient. Keep at it. Really enjoying your videos.
That is awesome!👍😃
Det er sjelden jeg abbonerer på en kanal fordi den som eier den oppfordrer til det.
Jeg gjør det kun dersom jeg liker innholdet.
Dette likte jeg virkelig.
Sterk historie jeg gjerne vil følge med på.
Takk for ærligheten og god historiefortelling.
Takk for det og velkommen til kanalen 😊
Beautiful movie. Subscribed. Thank you!
Thanks for your kind feedback💕 We appreciate it😊
You are a person grounded in reality. Best of luck.
Thanks for your kind words😊
Great video, thank you.
Glad you liked it!
Against all the difficulties you’ve faced it’s amazing to hold on your dreams and plans as a family and as individuals of strong will. I myself a 55 year old retired medical doctor, mom of two grown ups, have the dreams that I could not follow through yet. I hope and wish the best luck and the energy to you to me and to all the dreamers of living a peaceful sustainable life in mother nature’s bosom. Thank you for sharing your story sincerely and honestly 🙏🏼🕊💚🙋🏻♀️
Thanks for your kind words and good luck with your own dream. 😊❤️
For en sterk historie. Jeg ønsker dere masse lykke til med å gjøre drømmen til virkelighet!
Takk for det😊 Jeg var en tur inne på din kanal også. Flotte videoer👌 Ønsker deg lykke til videre med kanalen.👍
looking for land here for the purpose of growing my own food. I appreciate you telling your story and can relate to the struggle. Me and my partner also feel trapped living in an apartment close to a big city and we are looking for a way out.
Glad I could help😃
Greetings from Nordanger, Sletta : )
Takk for det. Ha en fin dag.
Takker😊
What a great journey. It's always difficult nowadays following your dreams. I live in Greece, And I thought it would be a good idea following my dreams. I quit my job in the telecommunication section, which was crap, especially after the financial crisis in Greece. I was planning to move to Norway for work for a few months, using the money I took by resigning from my work. But before that, I decided that it would be a good idea to visit Norway. Two months ago, I came with a volunteer program (Workaway) in a Norwegian farm, helping a family of 6 near Mjøsa lake. What a great place to live in and what a great family. After a month, I decided that I missed my friends and family, which is the most important thing of all. But this experience was great. Mountains, rivers, wild life and a great family that I call them friends. I don't know if you consider this, but you could get help by volunteers finishing a few of your projects/work in the farm etc. As long as we lived there, we cut/split wood for the next winter, grow vegetables, sanding and painting the house/guest house, feeding the animals etc. Our hosts had their morning work, so we worked alone in the mornings. There are also some volunteers that know craftwork, so they could help with the renovations. I wish to you all the best. I'm in Greece now, but I miss the days I passed in Norway. Tusen takk for videoen.
Καλησπερα Γιαννη! Ζω στην Νορβηγια εδω και τεσσερα χρονια και το ονειρο μου ειναι επισης να αποκτησω μια μικρη φαρμα εδω. Θα με ενδιεφερε να μαθω τι ακριβως σου παρειχαν οσο δουλευες εθελοντικα σε εκεινη τη φαρμα μεσω του προγραμματος αυτου
@@konstantinoskonstantinou8954 καλημέρα Κωνσταντίνε. Στέγη και διατροφή. Πού στην πράξη σημαίνει ένα δωμάτιο σε κανονικό σπίτι/ξενώνα και το ψυγείο γεμάτο. Πολλές φορές τρώγαμε και με την οικογένεια.
Καλημέρα!!
Πρέπει να ήταν καλή εμπειρία και κράτησε
There are more and more people like you.guving up a rat race and considering different wy of life.you've made concious and valid decision how you want to live yr life.its not easy,but life never is.keep at it,satisfaction and happiness can never b replaced.all the best
Thank you for your kind words😊
Norwegian farm life, have you ever think about flower growing for sale? I did see peony farm in Norway (easily found in youtube). Maybe it could be a nice addition to your income
Thanks for the tips👍 We have thought about it but never taken the step.
Hang in there! Do Not Conform! Live off the land. You're inspirational.
Thanks for your kind feedback. That means a lot😊
👏👏👏
Thanks👍
nintendo ja, har du prøvd Farming Simulator 22? 😀
eg er litt i samme situasjon som deg, skal ta over ett nedlagt småbruk på vestlandet, helt utmed kysten.
Hei, har hatt lite tid til spill i det siste men har hørt om den. Nå gjør jeg det heller på ekte😂 Lykke til med gårdsbruket👍
Your show is in a way like "Escape to the Chateau" but instead escape to the farm. They were able to find many creative ways to earn money. I am sure you will too with some time and patience
Thanks for your support😊 I think I will need to watch that show. I have heard great things about it. Maybe we will get some ideas👌
What you did was wonderful and very courageous and even though you might think it's easy for me to say this, you are right, even if you think you made some very tough choice and it's not easy every day. You are way ahead of any accountants in Oslo. Now, here where I think you made a mistake: you're trying to live off your farm as somebody would have in the 19th century while gigantic farms are nearby, in your country and all over Europe. The fhe place you have and the acreage you have you need to shift from thinking about making a living with agriculture and instead try to transform your land into a place where people will pay to come over to learn something you think we all should learn. Please, forget about trying to make a living on a small farm, you're going to destroy your health, especially in such an expensive country as Norway. If you have skill build some structure, small chalets where you will organize retreats, yoga retreats, photography seminars, whatever you think your land and county is suited for and little by little start making money. If you don't have the skill to build small structures yourself, just learn. It's easy than you think, and keep in mind, people who will come to you wants rusticity. A log cabin with dry toilet is fine. You are on the right track, you just need to forget about agriculture and use your space to provide something to city people who will pay for what you have to offer. Sincerely.
Thank you and I thing you are right. We will never make a living of a small farm as ours in the tradition way. Me and my wife have discussed different options. You have many good ideas👍😊
Hey I'm from Bergen, how can I meet you. I'm so interested to learn farming.
Hi, I am sorry but we don’t take visitors. There are many videos on this channel you can watch and we also post the same videos in English langue on our twin channel. You can also check out our web page (for now only in Norwegian langue). Link to that is in the descriptions of the newest videos👍😊
You can also buy new shiny things
that society says you need
for money you dont have
it will only cost you your freedom
What an amazing dream
Thanks😊
kansje mye arbeid, men du har ikke vurdert en kanal på norsk?
Jeg hadde kanalen på norsk, men byttet språk da jeg ikke når like mange med norsk som engelsk. Ikke alle var fornøyde med det. Om man trekker vekk alle i Norge som ikke er på UA-cam og deretter tar vekk alle som ikke liker den typen videoer jeg lager så er det ikke mange igjen. 😀
I hate GOOGLE ADS in the middle of your story.