Farm help and some babysitting needed in south east Ireland

Area: Connemara

My husband and I run a small Farm in the West of Ireland. Living by the sea can be challenging for growing vegetables, but the peace and tranquility makes up for it. We produce part of our electricity with our wind turbine, collect rainwater and filter it for everything. We keep Rabbits, Chickens, ducks and have 2 cats. My husband keeps Bees , just in case anyone is allergic to bee stings.

Area: British Columbia

I really do mean Road's End! 15km of gravel road ends at our farm of woods, meadows and gardens near Williams Lake, BC. Road's End was the dream of two friends who both grew up in this area, spent ten or so years in various cities around Vancouver before deciding we wanted to get out of cities for good. We volunteered on farms around BC before returning to where I was born to begin our own farm. Chris has since moved on to other pursuits, though still visits from time to time, and I, Terri, am now running this business on my own! This will be my sixth growing season, my second season on my own. I am a woman in my early thirties, and I am excited to be a small business owner making a small difference through local food in my community! My partner, Curtis works seven days on and then has seven days off and will be helping around the farm sometimes when he is home. We are here because we want to do our small part to help heal our planet. Our garden is over an acre and this year the plan is to do a better job with growing more in this space. While not certified we use biodynamic practices and low-energy techniques, working towards developing sustainable, low-input systems that work with nature, not against. I have downsized on animal production this year, so some of my animal plans have changed and there will not be a large flock of chickens or cattle or pigs until possibly next year. (Usually, to provide manure for the garden we will raise a large flock of laying hens as well as a small herd of cashmere goats. We also usually raise a few pigs and cell graze a herd of cattle using movable electric fencing that allows us to provide these animals with a good life while growing good meat and increasing the fertility of the land). For now we have 2 beautiful dogs, three cats, two rats, two ducks, two horses (unrideable, but friendly), a small flock of cashmere goats and one young indoor/outdoor goat. Good food is very important to us and most of our meals consist of vegetables from our garden, homemade breads and our own pork, chicken and eggs as well as grass-fed beef from a local ranch. Vegetarians and vegans are of course welcome, but will have to do some cooking for yourselves. The log house is very comfortable but quite rustic. We have a phone and intermittent internet but no television (we do own one for watching movies from time-to-time) and no cell phone reception. Our house is powered by solar electricity. The stars are incredible out here with no city lights or even close neighbours, and the only noise is that of the birds and other local wildlife. We love this solitude, but be prepared if you're used to city living; some people find the isolation a bit too overwhelming. I go into town twice a week to sell my vegetables at the farmers' market and the new growers' co-op and you are welcome to come with me to market. I also run a CSA or "box-a-week" program. I am growing quickly and am very involved in the local food movement in our community. And while we are a bit out-of-the-way many travellers and friends find their way out to the end of the road and we are rarely alone out here in summer. There is a wonderful movement towards sustainable living and eating happening in the world and we are excited to be a part of this positive change. Every season is different, and I still am not sure what 2014 will bring. I have some big decisions to make regarding the market and how I sell my vegetables. This is a small community and was built with a focus on industry (mining/logging), it can sometimes be difficult to get people to realize the importance of local food. We've tried a lot of different approaches over the years, but it may be that this town isn't ready for a vibrant farmers' market quite yet. This season my focus will be on the box-a-week program. I have yet to decide whether this will mean delivery or if I will still participate in market as a pick-up point for veggie boxes. Because there are so many changes happening this season, I need helpers who are committed and excited about helping to build something amazing! I love this life, though it really isn't for everyone. Helpers who love being outside and who are generally positive, easygoing people seem to have the best time. We are looking for interesting and interested people who would like to help out and learn in a relaxed environment but who are also independant, hard-working and don't mind the isolation. What you get out of your stay with us will be entirely up to you. Accommodation is modest but comfortable and includes either a room in the house, a large, comfortable rv or camper van. We look forward to meeting you.

Area: Languedoc Roussillon

We are an English couple and are working on our property in Nimes, in the departement of Gard. The property is situated within 10 mins of bustling town centre (Pop of Nimes is 140,000) The property is very comfortable and you will enjoy the food! There is a beautiful pool, Wifi and TV -but really you should get out and about (we have bikes and there is good public transport) The summer is hot but the property is in a green and leafy environment and it's a great location to relax and explore (Nimes offers great Roman sites) I am also an experienced teacher and could help volunteer(s) with French or English.

Area: Algarve (Monchique)

Our property/house is in the Algarve, in the mountains ,the Serra de Monchique, not near the coast. We are a german couple, I am a veterinarian and animal protector, my husband is an artist, electrician, porcelane painter. We are living in a house in the mountains,we make oecological gardening and composting and we are building a house from clay. Our place is in the middle of the nature, a very quiet place, with wild animals as frogs, birds, foxes and wild pigs around. We live in an oecological way, using only natural products and no chemical stuff. We are living here with 4 dogs, 3 cats, a Kakadoo and 2 chicken. The ocean is not so far away and we can offer a car to go there for relaxing on the beach or to go for activities like surfing. We sometimes go there for fishing. The mountains are good for walking in the middle of nowhere. We have a small and a bigger village about 5-10 km away from our house and some bigger cities around 30 km away. We like to have here people living close together with us as members of the family, as friends. Hakuna Matata

Area: Poitou Charentes

WANTED - We would like to find two friends or a single girl for the months of August to September possibly longer. Prefereably with some DIY building, decorating (paining mainly), gardening or animal skills (particulalry horses and dogs). We are a busy horse owning family always in need of help around the house, garden and with our menagerie of animals (horses, dogs, chickens and budgies and of course the children). We both work so unfortunately you will spend a lot of time on your own. Except at weekends and on Monday or when Andy is rained off his work. I (Karen) come home at lunchtimes because I have my business in the town. However come the evening its business as normal in our crazy household. And yes it is a boistrous houshold. Andy has a building business and spends a lot of time renovating other peoples homes for which he occassionally takes on paid help - this is often given to any workaways staying with us if they need to boost their travelling funds. Karen has a childrens clothes shop in town which is open Tuesday to Saturday. Our daughter Olivia helps to give mum a break. Olivia has just finished her own studies and will be at home whilst she searches for employment . Zachary our son is a studen, he will be home after school and during the holidays. He is an expert on all things that involve Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings and of course Star Wars. Be prepared to enjoy the odd battle with light sabers or wooden swords. We like our helpers to become part of the family and help out at mealtimes and with general household duties as part of normal day to day living. We do ask that anyone who stays helps with the cooking of meals and cleaning up afterwards (If you are allegic to washing up - then you wont fit our household). In the summer you can enjoy the pool and/or hot tub or visit the local bathing lakes and rivers. We try to get to the beach/sea a few times as well normally at Royan. We have plenty of DVD’s and music CD’s, English and French TV channels. The small town we live in has a library with an English section and you catch the train to many interesting places to visit. We do try to get out and about at the weekend, and helpers are welcome to join us. Our area of the Charente is lovely with lots of places to visit and on the main route through to the South or North. We are about 2 hours from Paris by train. Cheap flights can be found from airports at Limoges, Poitiers, Angouleme, Bordeaux and La Rochelle. There is a main railway at Angouleme and Poitiers where you can catch daily trains to our town of Ruffec.(around 10 euros for a single way ticket) Ruffec has plenty of shops, swimming pool and cinema. We are two hours drive from the sea, and only 6 hours from Spain. Our area of france has lots of interesting places to visit and we recommend that you take some time to do this. If you like walking there are plenty of great walks in the local forest and countryside. IGN maps of these can be found easily online. We are quite easy going and flexible, however, we have seen our fair share of 'holiday' helpers - where the work/accomodation exchange has no been equitable. So we ask our helpers in advance that they respect the workaway ethos of working 5 hours per day (not including helping out at mealtimes etc) this includes weekends, but if you want to take days off, the hours can be added to other days. We hope this way, our hospitality is not taken advantage off and that the work we need help with finally begins to push forward. In return you receive your accommodation, 3 meals a day and free internet and the use of the telephone for European calls. For those of you who ride -there is unlimited access to our two rideable horses, you can use the pool anytime and if the hot tub is installed that as well. We have loads of cycles which you can also borrow. We are quite a sociable family and enjoy lots of outdoor eating with friends in the summer. We also try to spend a lot of time just relaxing especially on a Sunday and on the cold days of winter. There is without doubt not a dull moment in the Johnson-Jones household. We are 'noisy' and chatty, dont stand still much, but we do have our moments of calm and tranquility. We are English by Nationality and speak English (1st language) and French (2nd language). We are happy to accept any nationality of helper on long or short stays throughout the year.