written by Silke Bringstrup
June 30th, 2024
For many of our regular market-goers, Solbjørk, Camille and Ann-Sofie from Orupdal Jordbrug have now become familiar faces. The three young women are the driving force behind the regenerative farm that has been a steady presence at Grønt Marked since production started earlier this year.
After graduating from the regenerative agriculture school, Den Regenerative Jordbrugsskole, in november, the women got to work transforming a horse paddock belonging to Solbjørk’s parents into their own small-scale farm, and we are honoured to have them onboard. While Solbjørk and Ann-Sofie had a taste of entrepreneurial life with their previous venture, Anholt Bageri og Gartneri, Camille’s experience in the hospitality industry and her bachelors degree in anthropology rounded out their collective experience using natural ingredients.
From Copenhagen to the field
An early train commute from Copenhagen kicks off each workday, with the women tackling tasks side-by-side – whether ripening tomatoes, warding off snails or monitoring the balance of their compost. Their production range is versatile, spanning everything from tomatoes, snap peas and cabbages, to fava beans and an array of herbs. While their work routines follow the seasonal rhythms, their principles remain the same: to cultivate with respect for the soil’s ecosystem.
Ask them about their favourite crops, and you’ll get three very distinct, passionate responses. For Solbjørk, it’s the cape gooseberry whose festive look and “insanely delicious” sweet-tart balance have made it her undisputed number one. Camille, on the other hand, has formed an unexpected bond with coriander – the herb you either love or hate. As she describes it: ”I’ve gained a whole new relationship with it. It was one of the first things we had on the farm, and it’s taken on new life in the kitchen after I tried it, for example, with rye bread and potatoes”. Ann-Sofie, meanwhile, remains dazzled by their homegrown tomatoes. “We have over 30 different varieties, so it’s hard to choose. But our beefsteak tomatoes will be really nice! They are beautiful and full of flavour.”
A regenerative approach
More than just growing vegetables, the women see their role as part of a larger holistic system that gives back to the land. Instead of maintaining poor soil health through conventional farming methods, they focus on rebuilding fertile soil through regenerative practices.
“We don’t believe we have more right to the soil than the animals”, Solbjørk says. This means no pesticides or anything non-organic – even snails get gently relocated rather than exterminated. Their compost has also earned organic certification, and only organic or biodynamic seeds are sown.
Working regeneratively also means fostering a healthy microclimate and soil biology. And so, the ladies use grazing methods that mimic nature’s patterns, letting their hens eat earthworms and gently till the soil. By allowing periods of rest for the land to recover between rotated grazing periods, this prevents overgrazing and nutrient depletion. It also means Solbjørk, Camille and Ann-Sofie can avoid tilling using machines – thus allowing native plants and insects to thrive.
By mimicking nature’s processes, small-scale farms can create more sustainable food systems, with Orupdal Jordbrug’s entire agricultural philosophy based around sustaining balance with nature. As Camille puts it: “We want to work in sync with nature’s rhythms, not disrupt them.”
Sowing seeds of a green future
With their presence at Grønt Marked, the trio hopes to further enlighten and promote regenerative farming principles. At the market, people can interact directly with the farmers, smelling the vibrant aromas and even sneaking a taste of the fresh, consciously cultivated produce they offer. With customers who care about what they eat, Orupdal Jordbrug always explains their approach and welcomes people to come by and help at the farm.
So, the next time you come by Grønt Marked, be sure to swing by their stand and let these passionate young farmers regale you with their wholesome, earth-friendly methods. Who knows, you might just discover your new favourite veggie while learning more about the regenerative movement!
To learn more about Orupdal Farm, visit:
Instagram: @orupdaljordbrug
GRØNT MARKED
Producer Portrait: Orupdal Jordbrug
written by Silke Bringstrup
June 30th, 2024
For many of our regular market-goers, Solbjørk, Camille and Ann-Sofie from Orupdal Jordbrug have now become familiar faces. The three young women are the driving force behind the regenerative farm that has been a steady presence at Grønt Marked since production started earlier this year.
After graduating from the regenerative agriculture school, Den Regenerative Jordbrugsskole, in november, the women got to work transforming a horse paddock belonging to Solbjørk’s parents into their own small-scale farm, and we are honoured to have them onboard. While Solbjørk and Ann-Sofie had a taste of entrepreneurial life with their previous venture, Anholt Bageri og Gartneri, Camille’s experience in the hospitality industry and her bachelors degree in anthropology rounded out their collective experience using natural ingredients.
From Copenhagen to the field
An early train commute from Copenhagen kicks off each workday, with the women tackling tasks side-by-side – whether ripening tomatoes, warding off snails or monitoring the balance of their compost. Their production range is versatile, spanning everything from tomatoes, snap peas and cabbages, to fava beans and an array of herbs. While their work routines follow the seasonal rhythms, their principles remain the same: to cultivate with respect for the soil’s ecosystem.
Ask them about their favourite crops, and you’ll get three very distinct, passionate responses. For Solbjørk, it’s the cape gooseberry whose festive look and “insanely delicious” sweet-tart balance have made it her undisputed number one. Camille, on the other hand, has formed an unexpected bond with coriander – the herb you either love or hate. As she describes it: ”I’ve gained a whole new relationship with it. It was one of the first things we had on the farm, and it’s taken on new life in the kitchen after I tried it, for example, with rye bread and potatoes”. Ann-Sofie, meanwhile, remains dazzled by their homegrown tomatoes. “We have over 30 different varieties, so it’s hard to choose. But our beefsteak tomatoes will be really nice! They are beautiful and full of flavour.”
A regenerative approach
More than just growing vegetables, the women see their role as part of a larger holistic system that gives back to the land. Instead of maintaining poor soil health through conventional farming methods, they focus on rebuilding fertile soil through regenerative practices.
“We don’t believe we have more right to the soil than the animals”, Solbjørk says. This means no pesticides or anything non-organic – even snails get gently relocated rather than exterminated. Their compost has also earned organic certification, and only organic or biodynamic seeds are sown.
Working regeneratively also means fostering a healthy microclimate and soil biology. And so, the ladies use grazing methods that mimic nature’s patterns, letting their hens eat earthworms and gently till the soil. By allowing periods of rest for the land to recover between rotated grazing periods, this prevents overgrazing and nutrient depletion. It also means Solbjørk, Camille and Ann-Sofie can avoid tilling using machines – thus allowing native plants and insects to thrive.
By mimicking nature’s processes, small-scale farms can create more sustainable food systems, with Orupdal Jordbrug’s entire agricultural philosophy based around sustaining balance with nature. As Camille puts it: “We want to work in sync with nature’s rhythms, not disrupt them.”
Sowing seeds of a green future
With their presence at Grønt Marked, the trio hopes to further enlighten and promote regenerative farming principles. At the market, people can interact directly with the farmers, smelling the vibrant aromas and even sneaking a taste of the fresh, consciously cultivated produce they offer. With customers who care about what they eat, Orupdal Jordbrug always explains their approach and welcomes people to come by and help at the farm.
So, the next time you come by Grønt Marked, be sure to swing by their stand and let these passionate young farmers regale you with their wholesome, earth-friendly methods. Who knows, you might just discover your new favourite veggie while learning more about the regenerative movement!
To learn more about Orupdal Farm, visit:
Instagram: @orupdaljordbrug