At the farm Gerði in Suðursveit, southeast Iceland, sheep farmers have adapted to changing times by embracing tourism alongside their traditional livelihoods. Local residents Björn Borgþór Þorbergsson and Þóreyja Bjarnadóttir have become notable examples, offering visitors a glimpse of farm life while maintaining their sheep herds. Their story was featured on Um land allt, a programme recently covered by Vísir.
Reporters visiting Gerði described an atmosphere where the sheep and tourists alike contributed to the lively activity on the farm. They noted with amusement that the bleating from the sheep and the excitement of visiting guests sounded remarkably similar.
Migration and challenges for rural Iceland
For decades, young people in Iceland have left rural communities like Suðursveit for Reykjavík and surrounding areas in search of education, job prospects, and improved living conditions, according to Vísir. Many of these young people never returned home, leaving gaps in their hometown communities.
Scarce local job opportunities contributed to the decline, making it difficult for young families and individuals to remain in the countryside. As a result, the rural business landscape was largely uniform and communities gradually weakened.
New prospects on old farms
Now, by branching into tourism while maintaining their sheep farms, people like Björn and Þóreyja are helping to bring renewed vitality to their hometowns. Their approach provides more employment options and encourages a diverse business environment in rural Iceland.
Sources
- Vísir (first reported) in Icelandic
- Vísir in Icelandic
