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3 minute read
Casper and Tina never planned to move to a small farm deep in the Norwegian forest. Yet today, in the quiet municipality of Vegårshei, they are building a life centred on regenerative agriculture, slower rhythms, and a strong sense of community.
Their journey is one of curiosity, courage, and connection – to nature, to food, and to each other.
From global food systems to homegrown visions
For Casper, the story began with frustration. With a background in international development, he had studied global food systems and saw how conventional agriculture often relied on expensive chemical inputs that degraded soil and trapped farmers in unsustainable cycles. That curiosity led him to explore regenerative agriculture and permaculture.
Cooking was already a passion, and the idea of growing his own ingredients felt like the natural next step. Norway gave him the space to see how much he longed for a more grounded, nature-based lifestyle.
“In the Netherlands, most nature is structured, even manufactured. Norway was different. The first time I stood in wild nature here, I felt something shift.”
A move to Norway – and a difficult start
Casper’s connection to Norway started young, first with a canoeing trip after high school and later through an exchange semester at NMBU. Determined to return, he moved to Oslo for a master’s degree, but the pandemic nearly derailed his plans.
“I had no job, a tiny apartment, no income. I was close to giving up and moving back to the Netherlands. If it weren’t for my parents, I probably would have.”
A job at an IT startup came just in time, and with stability restored, his thoughts turned back to the dream of a smallholding.
From screen time to smallholding
Tina wasn’t convinced at first. Casper started gently, sharing listings of charming farms and arranging a stay at a friend’s rural property. There was no plumbing and only an outhouse, but the snow-covered landscape, the animals, and the conversations with the owners made a big impression.
“I knew she loved chickens and ducks, and I hoped being around them would spark something,” Casper says. It did. A later trip sealed her decision, and suddenly the vision of farm life became something they shared.
Finding Arnheim in Vegårshei
At first, they searched within an hour of Oslo, but the budget was tight. Expanding the search brought them to Vegårshei – a place they had never heard of.
“The pictures were amazing. A renovated house, forest access, end of a quiet road, within our budget. It even had a name that reminded me of Arnhem in the Netherlands.”
A visit to the local bank revealed that ten other Dutch families already lived there. Seeing the house itself – with its large kitchen, open land, and good internet – convinced them. After some negotiation, they became the owners of Arnheim.
Life on new ground
They moved in September 2023, just before winter set in. The silence and dark evenings were a stark contrast to Oslo, but they embraced it.
One evening in November, they watched the Northern Lights dancing across the sky from their own land. “It felt magical,” Casper recalls.
Now their days are filled with routines: letting out the chickens, foraging for chanterelles, and spotting moose and deer. They share glimpses of this new rhythm on Instagram (@arnheimregenerativefarm).
Building community
Despite its size, Vegårshei has offered surprising opportunities for connection. On arrival, they delivered Dutch stroopwafels to neighbours, which opened the door to coffee visits, community events, and friendships.
Tina joined the board of the local krets, helping organise activities such as hikes and outdoor grilling. They also met other couples nearby with similar values, including friends who helped them build their chicken coop.
“What surprised us most is how social it has become. In Oslo, you don’t even know your neighbours. Here, people stop by unannounced with cake or plants.”
Permaculture in practice
Their long-term goal is partial self-sufficiency, guided by regenerative agriculture and permaculture principles. They are planting fruit and nut trees, berry bushes, and silvopasture systems where animals can graze while enriching the soil.
“Chickens aren’t just for eggs. They also clean up fallen fruit, fertilise the soil, and add to the atmosphere of the farm. That kind of thinking shapes how we design everything.”
Learning by doing
Much of it has been trial and error. Early projects included a firewood shelter that “somehow” still stands, and a vegetable garden with seedlings started too soon. But each step has brought progress and confidence.
Their annex is now listed on Airbnb, and the next projects include fencing, planting, and possibly building a veranda. The long-term dream is to transform their forested land into a nut and fruit forest with alpacas, ducks, and chickens.
A new balance
Both work full-time – Casper in consultancy, Tina in her own role – so most farm work happens in the evenings and weekends.
“It’s not balanced in the traditional sense, but that’s fine. We don’t have to do any of it. We want to. And that difference is what keeps it enjoyable.”
Casper now wakes early, not out of obligation but anticipation. “The chickens, the cats, the sunrise. It’s the best way to start the day.”
Lessons learned and shared
The challenges are real, from taking on too much too soon to the physical labour of building fences in the snow. But the rewards outweigh them: fresh air, birdsong, a community of neighbours, and the satisfaction of seeing life take root on their land.
Their advice for others is simple: have a clear vision, but stay flexible. Don’t pursue it for money, but for a slower life closer to nature.
Through Instagram and local connections, they’ve found both support and inspiration. A local journalist even wrote about them, drawing more people to their door.
Their hope is that the annex can give others a taste of this life, and perhaps encourage new neighbours to settle nearby.
“We would love to have more people here who share the same values. Permaculture isn’t just about the land. It’s about community, generosity, and creating a space where things grow – people included.”
