Career
Born in Ulvik, Hjeltnes would become a pioneer in Norwegian farming at the time. He is credited with introducing the potato to Norway, in 1759. He also grew tobacco, caraway og clove, and worked to spread fruit culvitation in Hardanger.
He founded one of the first plant nurseries in the district, and established storehouses for grain.
Besides farming, he was also involved in reindeer herding, and ran a sawmill and a timber merchant company. They had several children.
