Legal claim dropped for Lillebakken farm in Norway, allowing heirs to take over management

The legal claim to the Lillebakken farm has been dropped, as confirmed by the son of the 91-year-old former owner. This decision comes as a relief to the intended heirs, Per Sverre and his partner, who were concerned about losing their farming dream due to an odelsrett (ultimate right of ownership) claim made by the elderly owner, who had inhabited the farm for over two decades.

Current owner Jan Håvard Refsethås expressed his satisfaction with the resolution, stating that all parties have agreed, and that the 91-year-old has renounced his claim to the land. The plan had been for Per Sverre, Refsethås’ stepson, and his partner to take over the farm’s operations once Refsethås retires. With the claim released, the couple can now proceed as planned and will officially take over the management of the cattle farm in the new year.

Refsethås has dedicated over 20 years to building the farm’s Angus cattle herd, which has gained popularity and generated income through livestock sales. He emphasized the importance of maintaining farms in the community, noting that his operations support local employment and economy through significant spending on feed, transport, and services.

The couple had already been working on the farm as contractors, and Per Sverre even left his job as a machine operator to focus on farming full-time. With their child Marie now three months old, they look forward to raising her on the farm, fulfilling their long-held dreams of farm life.