HREPPAMJÓLK – Straight from the Source
May 29, 2026
Combining traditional farming with innovation, the family-run Gunnbjarnarholt is a
shining example of a modern Icelandic farm. Driven by a desire for sustainability
and a deeper connection with their consumers, they created a charming self-serve
shop offering a range of fresh and delicious dairy products straight from the farm.
Arnar Bjarni Eiríksson always knew he would become a farmer. At only 11 years old — in the late 1970s — he wrote down a detailed vision for the future of his operations in a school essay, which his mother kept and only recently gave to him. There, he envisioned ingenious and sustainable production methods that wouldn’t come into realization until decades later.
“I’m the Mayor”
Today, he runs one of Iceland’s largest dairy production farms alongside his wife, Berglind Bjarnadóttir, and their family, who all take part in the operations. They have five children, and the 9th grandchild is on the way. To keep them close, he has created a small neighborhood on the premises with houses and a lot for each of their children, which includes all necessary amenities. “I’m the Mayor!” he laughs.
Currently, Arnar and Berglind are focusing increasingly on their own product line and selling its produce directly to their customers.
Bringing Fresh Milk Closer to Customers
Under the trademark Hreppamjólk, they use whole milk produced on the farm as the base for a variety of dairy products, including chocolate milk, iced coffee, smoothies, skyr, and even ice cream, in addition to milk in its simplest form. Always origin-labelled and traceable directly to their farm. The Skyr beverages are the most popular and recognizable, but they have also begun producing yogurt, and are working on a Kefir product line, named Plóma in honor of their highest-achieving milking cow.
They began their journey by selling Hreppamjólk’s product range at the Krónan supermarket chain, as it aligns with their emphasis on eco-consciousness and sustainability in every aspect. There, they had a milk dispenser, enabling customers to fill reusable glass bottles with milk. The dairy dispenser was Arnar’s idea, but his daughter, Margrét, developed it, writing her final thesis in business school about the remarkable innovation, which she had found inspiration for while travelling abroad. “Thanks to the dispenser, customers are able to come here and buy the milk we produce directly.”
“Customers are able to come here and buy the milk we produce directly”
Seven Generations of Farming Tradition
At Gunnbjarnarholt farm in South Iceland, dairy production has always been a family affair. Arnar proudly belongs to the 7th generation of farmers at this major dairy farm in South Iceland, owned and operated by the same family since 1789. “My parents live on the other side of the road, and that’s where I was born and raised. My older brothers live there too — we are all right here in the area. I’m the youngest one by far, and definitely the boldest one, and so I took a major step, left home and settled right
across the road,” he smiles.
At only 19 years old, Arnar was already busy building his first barn alongside training as a carpenter. “We began in 1988 with two empty hands. Starting this business was so expensive, it really was killing us.” Soon, he had launched his own construction company. “The first ten years were very difficult, but I don’t regret the effort and hard work today.”
“We began in 1988 with two empty hands”
Meet the herd behind Hreppamjólk’s fresh dairy products.
The couple formally took over the operation of the Gunnbjarnarholt farm in 1990, and since then, it has continued to grow at an extraordinary pace. It operates a large state-of-the-art cow barn, making it a leader in Icelandic agriculture with approximately 230 milking cows and four rotolactors, as well as around 500 cattle. It is by far the largest cow farm in the country, producing 1,2 percent of all Icelandic milk. The cows live free-range in eco- conscious barns.
“The first ten years, we only had one tractor,” he recalls. “But through the years, we have seen a number of technological advancements. For example, we pump out the oxygen from our hay storage and save 6,5 tons of plastic for hay rolls. We cover the hay with salt brine, empty out the air.“All our operations are in fact completely sustainable,” he adds.
Recognition, Innovation, and the Road Ahead
Arnar tells us that they also have around 60 sheep on the farm, which he describes as a family hobby. “There is nothing child-friendly about the milking cows,” he explains. “On the other hand, the children love the sheep; there is so much fun to be had, especially during the lamb birthing, the fall round-up, and so on. It really keeps the family together.”
“It really keeps the family together.”
Arnar and Berglind, who recently received the prestigious 2026 Agricultural Award, presented by the Ministry of Industry, have many inspired ideas for their farming operations.
“We have so many ideas for development in the area. Last summer, we hosted an event where the public was invited to visit our farm and had 2,000 guests in a single day. So many people were curious to see inside the barn,” he recalls. “Our long-term plan includes opening a designated shopping and service center. A glass wall would separate it from the dairy production to give our visitors a peek into the process,” he says, clearly excited for the future and what it holds for him, his growing family, and the centuries-old farming tradition of Gunnbjarnarholt.
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