Young sheep farmer says successors must pay for land

A 19-year-old sheep farmer says early generational transfers are key to the future of Icelandic sheep farming. Heimir Sigurpáll Árnason, who runs a farm with his father, spoke to mbl.is about taking over the operation in the coming years.

Heimir has recently become more involved in the farm’s daily operations. He and his father have discussed how the handover should work, he said, agreeing that the farm should not simply be given away.

“No one is too good to pay for the land,” Heimir said. The transfer must also be structured so that the incoming farmer can afford to run the business, he added.

Heimir said he and his father share a strong commitment to improving the farm and maintaining high standards. He expects to take full control of the sheep farm at Sveinungsvík in a few years.

He believes many young people are ready to become farmers, but says they need the opportunity to take over. He also said the support system for sheep farming should be considered as part of the issue.

Without timely generational transfers, he worries that aspiring farmers will instead end up working in offices in Reykjavík, including at banks such as Arion, Íslandsbanki or Landsbankinn.