This picture is taken in Vauldalen, just a few km from the Swedish border. There you can find well-cared for and seemingly thriving farms all the way up tho the tree-limit. Norway holds in high esteem that the countryside should be viable and gives support for small farming. How far will I have to walk on the Swedish side before I find a similar farm? 200 km? 300 km?

Despite the fact that  42% of EU:s budget is allocated to farming and rural development  there are no corresponding farms on the Swedish side of the border. It makes a big difference in the landscape you walk through. Animals and people can survive here in spite of harsh conditions. And the landscape is kept open and alive. It creates a beauty and balance in both the geography of the landscape and the demography of the nation.

One of many small farms is Kirkvollen in Tydal. The farm has passed from father to son since the beginning of the eighteenhundreds.  Ingebrikt Kirkvoll runs the  ecological farm and Hilde is working in the environmental office of in the small commune (800 inhabitants), but on the side she is renting out one of the houses on the farm for pilgrims, as the farm is right on the pilgrim path. A big thank you for your hospitality, friendship and care!

Hanna watches the birth of a lamb. It has just landed!

Hanna with favorite horse.

/AN