The Freberg Brothers win the BU Prize – a strong recognition of innovation in agriculture

The Freberg Brothers winning the BU Award is a clear confirmation of many years of focused work in agriculture and business development. The award is presented by Innovation Norway on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, and has been presented since 1997.

The BU award goes to actors who can demonstrate particularly successful industrial and business development in agriculture, and who at the same time serve as an inspiration to others. The Freberg brothers meet these criteria through their long-term work, clear will to innovate and sustainable operations.

What is the BU Award, and why is it important?

The BU Award, also known as the Business Development Award in Agriculture, is one of the most recognized awards within the Norwegian agricultural industry. The purpose of the award is to:

• Highlight good examples of business development in agriculture
• Inspiring other farmers and agricultural businesses
• Make innovation and value creation visible throughout the country

County-specific awards are given out and 3 finalists will compete for the Business Development Award in Agriculture.

Clear criteria: Inspiring, innovative and sustainable

To win the BU award, the company must meet three key criteria:

1. Inspiring

The winner will be a role model for others in the industry, both through results and through the way the business is run.

2. Innovative

Innovation is central. It can be new products, new forms of operation or smart combinations of tradition and development.

3. Sustainable

Economic, environmental and social sustainability are all emphasized. Long-term value creation is crucial.

The Freberg brothers have shown that it is possible to combine these three elements in a way that provides both profitability and social value.

Strong finalists emphasize the level

The final field consisted of three strong candidates:

• The Galåvolden
• Valdres Dairy
• The Freberg Brothers

The fact that the Freberg Brothers came out on top in such a strong field emphasizes how high the level was among the finalists and how demanding it is to win the BU award.

At the same time, the award helps to show that Norwegian agriculture is in continuous development, and that innovation and sustainability are just as important as tradition.