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Help out on creating a new joyful future on our sustainable farm, sharing simple but intense life, experiences, ideas in the Ardennes, France

  • Favourited 288 times
  • Last activity: 27 Mar 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    Hi everyone !
    My name is Christelle, I am 51 years old and belgian. 13 years ago, on my way to Santiago de Compostella, I met Jos who bought that beautiful farm in 1995. We fell in love :) and I came back. A beautiful story...

    Together and with the help of many others, including workawayers, we went on developping what he started : an oasis for minerals, plants, animals and human beings. The farm always welcomed people: pilgrims, travellers, volunteers, friends, etc.

    In February 2023, Jos had an accident with his tractor and he left this world for a new journey... Since then, I am trying to keep the farm upright. 2023 had been a rough year but things happened, thanks to the network around the farm. Life goes on...

    Since the beginning of 2024, I feel much better and I have ideas for the future. I love the place but alone, it doesn't make sense. This place is meant to be shared. That's also what drives me: to connect and to share life, the good sides, the sad sides, the difficult sides. And share love, above all.

    I studied management a while ago and more recently, natural healing. In 2022, I started to organise fast weeks at the farm and retreats. Considering that taking care of people is a part of the core of the place, I have the idea to welcome all kind of workshops concerning well-being and nature (yoga retreat, meditation, singing, permaculture design, etc.). The farm is ideally located between Brussels and Paris and it's in full nature.

    Everything needs to be done: I need to create an association, prepare a crowdfunding campain to buy a yurt for the workshops, etc.

    And in the meanwhile, there are 3 ha of land to look after! We used to have sheep and chickens but not anymore, as long as I will be living on the farm alone. I have two shetland poneys and my border collie, Rawette. I am motivated to have a beautiful garden again as I love to cook fresh organic food and eat!

    About myself, a bit difficult in a few words but I have the idea I am an easygoing person, creative, active, adaptable, always looking for solutions. I love to talk about life, share simple moments, a good beer, a good meal, I like to walk, read, write. I live in a simple way and most of the time, I find that the world we are living in is crazy... Up to us, to me, to be a part of the change.

    Do you want to be a part of that new adventure? That would be great!
    I am looking for responsible people, positive, respectful, enthusiast, who like to help rather then taking advantage. I don't like lazy people. Hopefully, we can share good moments together and achieve beautiful things! Together is always better!

    I am mainly looking for help in the garden but there are plenty of other things to do and there are many tools available here!

    There is a little house where you can settle and when the farm is booked, we cook and eat there as well.
    I look forward exchanging and maybe meeting in a nearby future!

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Farmstay help
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    I can teach French and I have knowledge about gardening, wild plants, cooking, preserving food, natural healing, etc.
    I strongly believe that 1 + 1 = 3
    Together, it's always better!

  • Help

    Help

    We grow our own food divided over several gardens.

    We admire trees, not so to cut them but because of the beau​ty they give us while still growing bigger and bigger.
    From the 32 species growing in our enviroment, we have a good 25 present.

    We try to recycle and trade as much as possible, and do our best to stay away from​ money things as much as possible.
    Freedom starts with taking our own responsability in life as much as possible.
    The farm is over 200 years old and we may take care over more than 30.000m²
    All this requires a lot of time, work and commitment.

    We are ​looking for people who are: ​
    - willing to learn about farming ​
    - able to work together and on their own.
    - in a good physical and mental condition.
    - prepared to stay at least 2 weeks
    - rather looking for sharing a way of life than having a cheap holiday.

    Tasks to be expected.

    In the gardens;
    - seeding, planting
    - removing weeds
    - harvesting
    - cutting the grass
    - cutting hedges

    Farm life;
    - repairing fences
    - looking after the animals
    - work on the buildings

    .
    We can offer a stay in full nature, organic food and a own place to live next to the farm we have a little house,
    which was once the village bakery.
    The village we live in has 100 in​habitants, and even during the day you can hear a pin fall...
    The farm is situated ne​xt to a huge forest where wild game like wild boar, deer etc live in their habitats.
    There's no industry nor mass tourism in the area.
    The French Ardennes can be noticed as a forgotten part of France.
    If all this sounds interesting for you, please feel free to contact us by email, with a motivated explanation why you would like to join us.
    After all, it's up to us to make Mother Earth the place she deserves to be, a homeland for all her children, to live in peace, balance and respect for Life.

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    French: Fluent
    Dutch: Intermediate

    This host offers a language exchange
    I would like to keep improving my dutch and my english. I can teach French.

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Your own room in the lttle house next to the farm.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    The forest of 4500Ha wich is close to the farm, is ideal to hike around in the silence of nature. The chance that you meet someone is quite small, apart from wildlife.
    We live in a remote part of France, for anything like culture, Reims( 50km) or Charleville Mezieres( 30km) are the towns near by.
    We love to go on fleamarkets on the Sunday :)

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    Space enough on the land!

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    We love animals and we have animals ourselves.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    Two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Host ref number: 231547377979

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