# Bjerkreim

Bjerkreim is a municipality in Rogaland county, Norway. It is located in the traditional district of Dalane. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Vikeså. Other villages in the municipality include Bjerkreim and Øvrebygd.
Nature has been generous in giving Bjerkreim many idyllic places, making Bjerkreim a good place to live by living in a countryside environment, but still relatively close to a major city, Stavanger. Bjerkreim has one of the most important salmon rivers in Norway, Bjerkreimselva. The most important livelihoods are agriculture and small-scale industries.
The 651-square-kilometre (251 sq mi) municipality is the 173rd largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Bjerkreim is the 236th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 2,848. The municipality's population density is 4.9 inhabitants per square kilometre (13/sq mi) and its population has increased by 2.5% over the previous 10-year period.

## General information

The parish of Birkrem was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt law). On 1 January 1965, there were many municipal changes in Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee. On that date, the Nedre Maudal area of Bjerkreim (population: 40) was transferred to the neighboring municipality of Gjesdal.

### Name

The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the old Bjerkreim farm (Old Norse: Bjarkarheimr), since the first Bjerkreim Church was built there The first element is the genitive case of bjørk which means "birch". The last element is heimr which means "homestead" or "farm". Before 1889, the name was written "Birkrem".

### Coat of arms

The coat of arms was granted on 11 July 1986. The official blazon is "Vert, a birch branch with six leaves and four catkins argent" (Norwegian: På grøn grunn ein opprett sølv bjørkekvist med sju blad og fire raklar). This means the arms have a green field (background) and the charge is a vertical branch from a birch tree which has six leaves and four catkins. The charge has a tincture of argent which means it is commonly colored white, but if it is made out of metal, then silver is used. The design was chosen since the name of the municipality is derived from the Norwegian word for birch, bjørk, thus the arms are canting. The arms were designed by John Digernes. The municipal flag has the same design as the coat of arms.

### Churches

The Church of Norway has one parish (sokn) within the municipality of Bjerkreim. It is part of the Dalane prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Stavanger.
Churches in Bjerkreim :
| Parish (sokn) | Church name | Location of the church | Year built |
| Bjerkreim | Bjerkreim Church | Bjerkreim | 1835 |
| Bjerkreim | Ivesdal Chapel | Øvrebygd | 1876 |

## Government

Bjerkreim Municipality is responsible for primary education (through 10th grade), outpatient health services, senior citizen services, welfare and other social services, zoning, economic development, and municipal roads and utilities. The municipality is governed by a municipal council of directly elected representatives. The mayor is indirectly elected by a vote of the municipal council. The municipality is under the jurisdiction of the Sør-Rogaland District Court and the Gulating Court of Appeal. A notable local politician is Olaf Gjedrem, mayor from 1979 to 1993 and later a member of the national parliament.

### Municipal council

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Bjerkreim is made up of 17 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The executive committee of the council has 5 members, who also make up the authority's planning and economic committee. The mayor of Bjerkreim leads both the council and the executive committee. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by political party.
Bjerkreim kommunestyre 2023–2027 :
| Party name (in Nynorsk) | Party name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 2 |
| | Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) | 1 |
| | Conservative Party (Høgre) | 4 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 4 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 3 |
| | Bjerkreim Local List (Bjerkreim Bygdeliste) | 3 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 17 |
Bjerkreim kommunestyre 2019–2023 :
| Party name (in Nynorsk) | Party name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 2 |
| | Conservative Party (Høgre) | 4 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 4 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 6 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 1 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 17 |
Bjerkreim kommunestyre 2015–2019 :
| Party name (in Nynorsk) | Party name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 2 |
| | Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) | 1 |
| | Conservative Party (Høgre) | 4 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 4 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 5 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 1 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 17 |
Bjerkreim kommunestyre 2011–2015 :
| Party name (in Nynorsk) | Party name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 2 |
| | Progress Party (Framstegspartiet) | 1 |
| | Conservative Party (Høgre) | 6 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 3 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 4 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 1 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 17 |
Bjerkreim kommunestyre 2007–2011 :
| Party name (in Nynorsk) | Party name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 2 |
| | Conservative Party (Høgre) | 5 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 4 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 5 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 1 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 17 |
Bjerkreim kommunestyre 2003–2007 :
| Party name (in Nynorsk) | Party name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 2 |
| | Conservative Party (Høgre) | 5 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 4 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 6 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 17 |
Bjerkreim kommunestyre 1999–2003 :
| Party name (in Nynorsk) | Party name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 2 |
| | Conservative Party (Høgre) | 4 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 5 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 6 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 17 |
Bjerkreim kommunestyre 1995–1999 :
| Party name (in Nynorsk) | Party name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 2 |
| | Conservative Party (Høgre) | 2 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 4 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 9 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 17 |
Bjerkreim kommunestyre 1991–1995 :
| Party name (in Nynorsk) | Party name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 2 |
| | Conservative Party (Høgre) | 2 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 5 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 7 |
| | Local list (Bygdelista) | 1 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 17 |
Bjerkreim kommunestyre 1987–1991 :
| Party name (in Nynorsk) | Party name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 2 |
| | Conservative Party (Høgre) | 3 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 5 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 5 |
| | Local list (Bygdelista) | 2 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 17 |
Bjerkreim kommunestyre 1983–1987 :
| Party name (in Nynorsk) | Party name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 2 |
| | Conservative Party (Høgre) | 2 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 6 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 6 |
| | Local list (Bygdelista) | 1 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 17 |
Bjerkreim kommunestyre 1979–1983 :
| Party name (in Nynorsk) | Party name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 1 |
| | Conservative Party (Høgre) | 4 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 5 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 6 |
| | Local list (Bygdelista) | 1 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 17 |
Bjerkreim kommunestyre 1975–1979 :
| Party name (in Nynorsk) | Party name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 5 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 9 |
| | Local list (Bygdelista) | 3 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 17 |
Bjerkreim kommunestyre 1971–1975 :
| Party name (in Nynorsk) | Party name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 1 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 5 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 8 |
| | Local List(s) (Lokale lister) | 3 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 17 |
Bjerkreim kommunestyre 1967–1971 :
| Party name (in Nynorsk) | Party name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 1 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 4 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 7 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 4 |
| | Local List(s) (Lokale lister) | 1 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 17 |
Bjerkreim kommunestyre 1963–1967 :
| Party name (in Nynorsk) | Party name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 1 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 3 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 8 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 2 |
| | Local List(s) (Lokale lister) | 3 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 17 |
Bjerkreim heradsstyre 1959–1963 :
| Party name (in Nynorsk) | Party name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 1 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 2 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 9 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 3 |
| | Local List(s) (Lokale lister) | 2 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 17 |
Bjerkreim heradsstyre 1955–1959 :
| Party name (in Nynorsk) | Party name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 3 |
| | Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) | 8 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 3 |
| | Local List(s) (Lokale lister) | 3 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 17 |
Bjerkreim heradsstyre 1951–1955 :
| Party name (in Nynorsk) | Party name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives |
| | Conservative Party (Høgre) | 1 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristeleg Folkeparti) | 2 |
| | Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) | 9 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 4 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 16 |
Bjerkreim heradsstyre 1947–1951 :
| Party name (in Nynorsk) | Party name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 1 |
| | Conservative Party (Høgre) | 1 |
| | Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) | 10 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 4 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 16 |
Bjerkreim heradsstyre 1945–1947 :
| Party name (in Nynorsk) | Party name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 2 |
| | Local List(s) (Lokale lister) | 14 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 16 |
Bjerkreim heradsstyre 1937–1941* :
| Party name (in Nynorsk) | Party name (in Nynorsk) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeidarpartiet) | 2 |
| | Conservative Party (Høgre) | 2 |
| | Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgarlege Felleslister) | 10 |
| | Local List(s) (Lokale lister) | 2 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 16 |
| Note: Due to the German occupation of Norway during World War II, no elections were held for new municipal councils until after the war ended in 1945. |||

### Mayors

The mayors (Norwegian: ordfører) of Bjerkreim:
* 1838–1839: Thønnis Tollefson Bjerkreim
* 1840–1841: Rasmus Rasmusson Osland
* 1842–1843: Omund Adsem
* 1844–1845: Erik Erikson Espeland
* 1846–1849: Erik A. Lauperak
* 1850–1853: Sigbjørn Hytland
* 1854–1855: Omund Adsem
* 1856–1865: Christian Larsson Kløgetvedt
* 1866–1869: Ole V. Sagland
* 1870–1879: Christian Larsson Kløgetvedt
* 1880–1881: Jonas K. Vigesaa
* 1882–1893: Tollef Carlsen Laksesvela
* 1894–1897: Tollef Asbjørnsen Gjedrem
* 1898–1899: Tønnes Tollefsen Bjerkrheim
* 1899–1901: Tollef Carlsen Laksesvela
* 1902–1904: Sem Johan Jonassen Vaule
* 1905–1919: Gitle A. Birkrem
* 1920–1922: Peder Carlson Skjæveland
* 1923–1925: Arne Gjedrem
* 1926–1934: Karl Laksesvela
* 1935–1940: Arne Gjedrem
* 1945–1947: Arne Gjedrem
* 1948–1955: Martin Veen
* 1956–1963: Karl L. Skjæveland
* 1964–1966: Martin Veen
* 1966–1975: Tolleiv Gjedrem
* 1976–1979: Lloyd Vaule
* 1980–1993: Olaf Gjedrem (KrF)
* 1994–1999: Gunnhild Vassbø
* 1999–2003: Asbjørn Gjedrem
* 2003–2007: Asbjørn Ramsli (Sp)
* 2007–2015: Marthon Skårland (H)
* 2015–2019: Torbjørn Ognedal (Sp)
* 2019–2023: Kjetil Slettebø (Sp)
* 2023-present: Tone Vaule (Ap)

## Geography

Bjerkreim municipality lies at the northern end of the hilly, rugged Dalane district, just south of the very flat Jæren district. There are several large lakes in Bjerkreim including Austrumdalsvatnet, Byrkjelandsvatnet, Hofreistæ, and Ørsdalsvatnet.

### Climate

Climate data for Bjerkreim :
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −0.5 (31.1) | −0.6 (30.9) | 1.5 (34.7) | 4.5 (40.1) | 9.5 (49.1) | 13.0 (55.4) | 14.2 (57.6) | 14.3 (57.7) | 11.0 (51.8) | 8.0 (46.4) | 3.5 (38.3) | 0.8 (33.4) | 6.6 (43.9) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 180 (7.1) | 132 (5.2) | 152 (6.0) | 87 (3.4) | 106 (4.2) | 115 (4.5) | 136 (5.4) | 177 (7.0) | 240 (9.4) | 270 (10.6) | 253 (10.0) | 217 (8.5) | 2,065 (81.3) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm) | 14.8 | 11.0 | 13.8 | 10.9 | 12.7 | 11.8 | 11.6 | 14.3 | 17.2 | 17.7 | 18.4 | 15.9 | 170.1 |
| Source: Norwegian Meteorological Institute ||||||||||||||

## Transportation

The main means of transportation to Bjerkreim is via the European route E39 highway which passes through the municipality from south to north. The municipality lies in the southwestern part of the country. The distance to the nearest airport, Stavanger airport in Sola, is approximately 40 minutes by car.

## Notable people

* Knud Spødervold (1791–1848 in Bjerkreim), a lay preacher and leader of the Strong Believers religious movement
* Olaf Gjedrem (born 1948 in Bjerkreim), a politician and mayor of Bjerkreim (1979–1993)
* Ragnar Bjerkreim (born 1958 in Bjerkreim), a composer of film scores