bændur

Bændur is the Icelandic term for farmers or smallholders, typically referring to people who own or operate farms. The singular form is bóndi. The word originates from Old Norse bóndi, meaning a farm owner or person who lives by a farm. It is used in Icelandic to describe both historical and contemporary rural residents engaged in agriculture.

Historically, bændur were the central social and economic unit of rural Iceland. They owned or worked land, managed farmsteads, and produced food for themselves and their communities. The farm formed the core of rural life, with households combining agriculture, animal husbandry, and seasonal labor by family members and hired help. The bændur class shaped local economies and communities and was a dominant force in Icelandic rural society for centuries.

In contemporary Iceland, bændur describes those who own or operate farms and are engaged in activities such as dairy farming, sheep and cattle farming, and greenhouse horticulture. Farms vary greatly in size and often face challenges such as climate, price volatility, and regulatory policy. The sector is represented by organizations such as Bændasamtök Íslands, the Icelandic Farmers' Association, which advocates for farmers' interests, provides services, and coordinates rural development. Agriculture remains a smaller share of Iceland's economy but remains culturally significant and important for rural livelihoods and food security.