Storgården
Hovelsrud
Hovelsrud is one of the large farms on Helgøya in Lake Mjøsa. Here there is a long tradition of cooking high quality food - we still have that. We cook in a sustainable way with respect for nature and with the best possible animal welfare.
Hovelsrud is located on Helgøya, the holy island, in the middle of Lake Mjøsa. The areas around Lake Mjøsa are some of the richest and most fertile agricultural areas in Norway. Hovelsrud is laid out so that this is utilized in the best possible way, perfectly located in the sunny slope with calcareous soil and with unlimited access to water from Lake Mjøsa.
In the 1840s, the farm was laid out by MP Nils Hoel, great-great-grandfather of Marianne, the current driver. In recent years, the house and garden have been returned to the original, with respect for history, and with a view to pursuing sustainable agriculture for the future.
The agriculture of the future
The investment in ecology is an investment in the agriculture of the future. We believe that agriculture in Norway should be turned towards more sustainable production. We need to eat more local food, in season, and with better animal welfare.
At Hovelsrud we make clean food. We run a sustainable farm according to ecological principles, with the best possible animal welfare and a high ethical standard. Our animals and plants are treated with care, respect and with the environment in mind. It provides better quality. Our products are therefore valued by conscious consumers and the best restaurants in Norway.
"Right should be right, both for humans and animals."
Marianne, lawyer and farmer, Hovelsrud Farm
Hovelsrud
throughout the ages
Long traditions lie behind what we do. Helgøya has a central location, in the middle of Lake Mjøsa, and the farm Hovelsrud, which is located with perhaps the very best location, west facing and on the sunny slope, with magnificent views of Lake Mjøsa. We have a rich and long history, and in addition it is well documented. Here, previous families have collected and written down the farm history, something we enjoy today. This means that we have been able to return and recreate the garden and the buildings as they once were. We have made a small historical review of the most important events.
For those who want to see the oldest and youngest generation during the harvest, we recommend this movie.
4000 years ago
Sydhellinga on Helgøya is one of the most fertile areas in Norway and grain has been found on Helgøya that is more than 4000 years old
17th century
Helgøya is located in the Middle Ages under Mariakirken in Oslo. In the 17th century, it became self-owned farmers, and it is believed that the estates date from this period. Hovelsrud thus means "clearing at the head".
1602
We can trace the family on the "spinning side" back to Tor Hovelsrud, born in the 16th century and his son Even was born in 1602.
1820
Ane Marie Hoel buys Hovelsrud while her husband Jacob Hoel sits in the Storting.
1840
Nils Hoel takes over Hovelsrud. In 1847, his new farm was completed. Nils and his wife Caroline have 6 children who grow up on the farm.
1890
Riding master Jacob Hoel takes over Hovelsrud. He starts "working on the then old buildings".
1905
General Chr Wilhelm Engel Bredal Olssøn is Minister of Defense in the Michelsen government. His son is appointed to take over Hovelsrud.
1920
Karl Bredal Olssøn takes over after his uncle. He is also a modern farmer for his time and runs Hovelsrud as a model farm with bla. a large herd of milk cubes.
1937
The functional barn lift is completed after the old barn burned down. The architect is Gunnar Bjerke. He designed several other larger barns, including Melsom agricultural school and Semb main farm.
1949
Nils Olssøn takes over, and with him comes modern agriculture with a large investment in pigs and poultry.
1964
Hovelsrud and two other farms are the first farms in Norway to start modern chicken production (broiler).
1977
Karin and Wilhelm Olssøn take Hovelsrud after an extensive nobility case. On the moving day, April 14, they move to the farm.
2007
Marianne Olssøn and Are Herrem take over Hovelsrud. The family of five moves to Hovelsrud from Oslo.
2009
The restoration of the main building is complete.
2011
The return of the garden is complete.
2012
Awarded the national cultural landscape prize from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Norwegian Cultural Heritage.
2014
Winner of the Europa Nostra Award 2014 for the work of returning the house and garden to the way it was in the 1840s. Europa Nostra is the EU's cultural protection award.
The jury's reasoning stated:
"Serves as an example for all private owners"
2016
Started with organic chicken.
2017
Nominated for the Food Award.
The jury's reasoning:
“Hovelsrud farm shows that it is possible to operate large, at the same time as you have an eye for small and important details. The result is good animal welfare and top quality. The jury sees them as enormously important for today's food production, and not least a beacon for the future. Hovelsrud's goal is for the chickens to have a more enjoyable life, even if it is short, a value base the jury stands behind "
2018
Awarded as the first Norwegian chicken producer The Animal Welfare Label by the Animal Welfare Alliance, a new certification scheme to provide consumers with security for better animal welfare.
2020
Awarded the Specialty Mark. The brand is awarded the best local food and guarantees that the food is based on the best Norwegian ingredients and approved by an independent jury with high food expertise.
2020
Launches chicken breast in new, environmentally friendly packaging that reduces plastic consumption with 70%
Tilbakeføring av
hovedbygningen
Hovelsrud is a large farm in the Norwegian context, at the same time small compared to similar facilities in Europe. Even though Norway is on the periphery of Europe, Norway followed the European ideals and currents of the 19th century. Hovelsrud shows this.
The return of the main building was based on recreating the house as it was when it was new. Decor and wallpaper were uncovered that were reconstructed based on traditional materials and techniques in the repatriation. Unique to Hovelsrud is the large amount of documentation found in the farm history. Here are drawings, descriptions, sketches, paintings and eventually photographs, which provided a unique basis for recreating, thanks to skilled craftsmen.
The restoration was awarded the national cultural-landscape prize from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Norwegian Cultural Heritage in 2012, as well as the EU cultural conservation prize; Europa Nostra Award in 2014.
“The owners of the property have restored the estate to its original splendor. The jury considered this project a powerful example for all private owners of historic properties ”
Winner of the Europa Nostra Award,
EU Cultural Heritage Prize, 2014
"It is important that we produce our food in a proper and sustainable way and that the animals we actually eat have lived a good life."
