– We think it’s a bit sad, because we had envisioned developing the farm and living here. That’s what Jenny Myhr (23) says, who together with her partner Per Sverre Bremnes (23) has worked on Jan Håvard Refsethås’ dairy farm for several years. The plan was for Refsethås to sell the farm to the young couple when he retires. For over 20 years, Jan Håvard Refsethås has built up the herd with Angus cows. They are now so popular that he makes good money selling live animals to other farmers. The stepson Per Sverre wants to continue the operation. Photo: Lars Os / news But the uncle of Refsethås’ former partner now demands that the farm be transferred to him. Nationen was the first newspaper to write about the case. Built up a workplace For Refsethås, it is sad to see that his life’s work may now disappear. Since 2000, he has built both a new barn, a farmhouse and created a robust nursing hive colony. – It is important for the entire rural community that we have farms with animals. For this herd, I spend many hundreds of thousands of kroner on feed, transport and other services, which in turn create more jobs. The cows that grow up on the farm have been so called according to breeding values, which means that the farmer can sell livestock to other farmers for a good profit. Aberdeen Angus is a cuirass known for good meat marbling and good qualities for open pasture. Photo: Lars Os / news – It’s almost like winning the Norwegian Cup, because when you have a recognized crew, you earn better, says Refsethås. But in 2017, his then-partner, the niece of the 91-year-old, fell ill because she suffered from dementia. The following year, she moved into a nursing home. In order for the process of handing over the farm to go smoothly, her son waived his right of inheritance, and Refsethås was able to buy the farm in the spring of 2024. Jan Håvard Refsethås says that although he has good income on the farm, there are also many expenses to have livestock. Photo: Lars Os / news The former mayor of Holtålen municipality is now on his way to retire, and was therefore very happy that his stepson and his partner wanted to take over the farm. But the dream was suddenly reversed. – It’s a shame In a letter that Refsethås received after he took over the farm from his former partner in June this year, the claim is described. The letter that Jan Håvard Refsethås received this summer, after he formally took over the farm in Holtålen. Photo: Privat Here, the 91-year-old claims that his father lived on the farm for over 20 years, which enables him to claim property on the farm. – I don’t doubt that he has the right of inheritance on the farm, but it is a bit of a shame that a 91-year-old squeezes out a young couple who want to continue running the farm, says Refsethås. Because even if the transfer process has gone smoothly, former family members can claim compensation under the law. The family map shows how the 91-year-old has the right of inheritance on Refsethås’ farm. Illustration: news news has been in contact with the 91-year-old’s lawyer, who says that he does not want to say anything about the case. The mayor of Holtålen, Jan Arild Sivertsgård, says the noblesse law applies, but that it is a shame a young couple does not get the opportunity. – There are many farmers who are closing down today, so we need everyone. In this case, it’s a shame that there probably won’t be livestock farming, precisely because it has been built to the specifications that are now required in the future, he says. Sivertsgård also points out that if the family does not live in the municipality, they will lose money on childcare and school subsidies for those children. Mayor of Holtålen municipality, Jan Arild Sivertsgård, believes it is important that young farmers should be able to run livestock and that it is of great importance for the whole community. Photo: Lars Os / news Dark barn window Per Sverre Bremnes and Jenny Myhr don’t know what to do. They have worked as substitutes on the farm, and have become well acquainted with the profitable breeding herd. Bremnes also quit his job as a machine driver to run the farm full-time. – It’s not our fault, because we both have the opportunity to get other jobs. But it’s just so stupid that we don’t get the opportunity to further develop what Jan Håvard has built up for over 20 years here, he says. Per Sverre Bremnes, Jenny Myhr and three-month-old little Marie may be thrown out of the farm in April by 2025. Photo: Lars Os / news Jenny, who gave birth to little Marie three months ago, was looking forward to letting her daughter grow up on the farm. – It is an extra pity that there will be fewer children in the villages if our opportunities disappear. Bremnes says that the son of the 91-year-old contacted them and offered them to rent a house and continue the operation. Per Sverre was not interested in that. – There is no guarantee for us. What will happen if that agreement suddenly ends, he asks. A last chance The Nation’s commentator and farmer, Hans Bårdsgård, thinks the case shows how the estates law is being used for something other than what it was intended for. – There is nothing wrong with the 91-year-old wanting to get his farm back in the family, but the case shows how the regulations today have an impact nationally. Commentator in the Nation, Hans Bårdsgård, himself took over the farm in Selbu on Odel and has been involved in the issue of legislation. Photo: Jøte Toftaker / news – The Odelsloven was and is for young people to take over farms and run them, as it has been for over 1,000 years. But now we see that the property right is being used to rent out land in order to get a return from it. Bårdsgård believes that we are on our way back to the era of tenancy, where farmers had to a greater extent to rent the land they cultivated, and were dependent on others to farm. – Since agriculture and society as a whole are changing, I believe that the Norwegian Estates Act should also be renewed. The law has been amended through several rounds over the past 50 years. In 1974, both sexes were equalized and compulsory residence requirements were introduced. And in 2014, the right to inheritance was restricted to only children of an owner with inheritance, or grandchildren of the last owner. Jan Håvard Refsethås also wants to become a laborer at the mill after he retires. Photo: Lars Os / news – There was indeed a positive clean-up in the property tax law in 2014, but the rule that one who owns property for over 20 years gives the right to property tax was probably not intended as it is used now, says Refsethås. He will now take a new assessment of the farm. Because even if the 91-year-old has a claim to the farm, he still has to pay estate tax. It will be decided in the court system. – Our last option for keeping the farm is that the property tax becomes so high that they do not get the opportunity to buy it, he says. If not, he and the young family will have to move out in April next year. Published 10/10/2024, at 16.58
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Had the farmer’s dream in Holtålen crushed by a 91-year-old who claims the farm through the zoning law – news Trøndelag – Local news, TV and radio
