Holstad Gård
Preserving the Past, Shaping the Future
Situated in Namdalseid in Trøndelag, Holstad Gård is a small-scale meat and wool producer run by the Sæther family. Their goal is to preserve the history of the farm, while utilising local resources to create something special for the community. Holstad Gård is home to the Sæther family, which is made up of Carl Andrew, Silje, and their three children. The couple met while studying in Trondheim, him to become a medical doctor and her to become a teacher. After completing their studies, they moved to northern Norway for a few years before deciding to take over Carl Andrew’s childhood home in 2012 - Holstad Gård. They were in search of a quieter place and a better quality of life, Silje says, even if that meant earning less money than they would in the city. The original farm was located on a small hill some distance away, where the old timber buildings provided shelter for generations of farmers from the early 1800s.
Images / Holstad Gård Words / Kai Isaksen & Julia Elizabeth Yager
When a new road was built at the start of the 20th century, the farm was moved to its current location and additional buildings were built according to the architectural style of the time - ‘Sveitserstil’, or Swiss chalet style. Today, the Sæthers wish to create a unique place with specialty products, where both locals and visitors want to stop. In an effort to introduce more animals to the farm, the family bought 10 sheep in 2015, adding to the one horse and several cats that were already there when they arrived. The goal at the time was to run the farm, but still have enough time to work their day jobs. They therefore chose the ‘Old Norse Spælsau’, because they’re more robust and self-reliant than other sheep breeds, and also produce high-quality wool. The sheep count has grown quickly over the years, and the Sæthers have already received 75 new lambs this year, with a few more on the way.
Localfolk Magazine
185
