Icelandic agriculture is both traditional and thoroughly modern, based on a combination of old and new. The hardy stocks of domestic animals date back to the time of the Viking settlement over 1,100 years ago. Iceland, with its 4,000 farms, has a proud agricultural heritage.
Most farms are small and family owned.
The vast majority of domestic animals range free during the summer months. The country's geographical position and cool climate, furthermore, make it unnecessary for farmers to use pesticides and herbicides, which are common in warmer latitudes. Lamb production is for the most part completely natural. The animals' diet includes berries, moss, sedge, thrift and willow. It is these ingredients that provide the meat with its renowned, distinctive flavour.