How a UK Couple Turned Love into a Profitable Norwegian Farm Life
Introduction: A Love Story That Took Root in Norwegian Soil
When love finds its roots in the soil, it grows into something truly powerful.
That’s the story of Georgina and Sam Bevin, a couple from the UK who transformed their relationship and their shared farming dreams into a profitable, peaceful, and purpose-driven life in the heart of rural Norway.
They didn’t just move to another country — they moved to a new way of life.
From wool and romance in an abattoir to owning a working dairy and sheep farm near the majestic Geirangerfjord, this is a journey that unites love, resilience, farming, and profit in one unforgettable tale.
🛤️ How It All Started: A Shearer Meets a Wool Grader
In 2008, Sam was working in Hellesylt, a scenic village in western Norway. A seasoned sheep shearer, he was part of the seasonal team preparing sheep for slaughter as per Norway’s strict hygiene laws. That season, fate intervened — because Georgina was there too, working as a wool grader at the Ole Ringdal abattoir.
What started as seasonal teamwork turned into a lasting partnership — first in love, then in farming.
Sam had been coming to Norway for 13 years. Georgina had done four seasons. Their connection was built on shared labor, shared dreams, and shared values deeply rooted in agriculture.
🏡 Finding the Farm: A Dream They Thought They Couldn’t Afford
In 2015, during yet another shearing season, Sam learned that one of the local farms was for sale. At first, they assumed it would be far out of budget — like farms back in the UK.
But surprisingly, it was affordable.
Sam called Georgina with a life-changing question:
“Do you want to buy a farm in Norway?”
Her answer was the beginning of a new chapter.
Both came from farming families but had no chance to inherit land in the UK. Farmland in Britain is expensive, competitive, and nearly impossible to own without generational wealth.
But Norway offered them what the UK couldn’t:
Land, opportunity, and a future built from scratch.
🐄💰 Can You Really Make Money Farming in Norway?
Yes — and they did, in their very first year.
Norwegian farming is small-scale but heavily subsidized by the government. It’s seen as an essential part of cultural and food security.
Even without subsidies in their first year, Georgina and Sam were profitable.
💼 Their farm setup includes:
18 dairy cows, producing milk at 5 NOK/litre
Bulls for beef, a growing and well-paid market
20 sheep, with Christmas lamb in high demand
Premium wool, selling for 40–50 NOK/kg
Yearly bonus payments from Tine, the national dairy company, for farming in remote Møre og Romsdal
Their ability to generate income, even before the government stepped in to help, proves one thing:
With the right knowledge and mindset, farming in Norway is not just sustainable — it can be profitable.
🧾 Challenges: Not Just the Cold, But the Paperwork
Farming in Norway wasn’t the hardest part — adapting to the system was.
All official documents were in Norwegian, and though people spoke English, translating tax files, farm registrations, and land records became a regular challenge.
They had to travel 2 hours each way to Ålesund multiple times just to get registered properly.
But through it all, their Norwegian neighbors were incredibly helpful, offering support and guidance on how things are done “the Norwegian way.”
🥶 Farming Challenges: What You Can’t Control
Long winters mean stockpiling grass and hay for months
24/7 responsibility — as self-employed farmers, every decision and crisis rests on their shoulders
Out of 350 acres, only 40–50 are productive
Constant financial juggling: When income is seasonal but expenses are monthly, cash flow requires vigilance
But even with these challenges, they’ve built a thriving lifestyle rooted in self-sufficiency, love, and resilience.
🎯 What Do They Miss About the UK?
Family and friends
Pubs, takeaways, and social outings
Especially miss fish & chips and Indian curry!
Thankfully, they’ve found a cozy little pizzeria in Hellesylt, which keeps homesickness at bay (at least occasionally!).
🌄 What They Love About Norway
The pace of life — slow, meaningful, peaceful
No traffic. No rush. No noise.
Being surrounded by fjords, mountains, and pure nature
Living just 10 minutes from the Geirangerfjord, one of the world’s most stunning destinations
For Georgina and Sam, Norway offered not just land to farm, but space to breathe.
🚚 The Big Move: 52 Hours on the Road with Dogs & Dreams
They drove from Peckleton, Leicestershire all the way to their new home in Kjellstadlia, Norway. The plan was to catch a ferry from Harwich to the Hook of Holland, then drive to Denmark for the next ferry.
But then:
Germany’s traffic during European summer holidays slowed them to 10 mph for 3 hours
They missed their ferry from Hirtshals (Denmark) to Norway
Plan B: Drive through Sweden, cross the Malmö Bridge, and head north
In total:
52 hours of driving for Georgina, her mum, and the dogs
55 hours for Sam, driving solo in a heavy farm lorry
£400 lost, but 16 hours of delay avoided
It was mentally exhausting — but incredibly rewarding.
🌱 Lessons Learned from the Journey
- Don’t drive through Germany or Netherlands in summer
- Bring snacks, patience, and backup plans
- Long drives are mentally tougher than they seem
- Norway’s roads in summer = heaven
💡 Advice for Future Farmers or Expats Moving to Norway
Do your research — cost of living, taxes, and regional rules
Don’t move without a plan — job, farm, or business idea
Visit first — experience the land before you commit
Talk to expats — get first-hand insights
Understand why you’re moving — not just escape, but purpose
💬 Final Words from Georgina & Sam
“This life isn’t easy, but it’s deeply rewarding.
We traded traffic for tractors, stress for simplicity, and rented walls for our own land.
We still miss our loved ones, but we’ve found something bigger — a life we built from love, work, and Norwegian soil.”
🌟 Conclusion: A Love That Grew Into a Farm
From a chance meeting in a Norwegian slaughterhouse to running their own profitable dairy and sheep farm, Georgina and Sam Bevin’s journey is a living testament to the power of commitment, passion, and bold decisions.
They didn’t just chase their dreams — they drove 55 hours with dogs, wool, and hope packed into their vehicles to make them come true.
✍️Real Neel
Founder -Farming Writers
