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Restore soil, grow vegetables and manage the forest and infrastructure for self-sufficiency near Aljezur, Portugal

  • Favourited 1356 times
  • Last activity: 22 Apr 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least 1 month

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    *Before you continue, we have a 4 week minimum stay*
    Hi I'm Nathaniel. My girlfriend Diana and I live on this little farm which has a very lucky location, with breath taking views to the highest Algarvian mountains, close to the beautiful beach of Amoreira and river but also close to the historic town of Aljezur.

    This this project started only a few years ago and we are still in the process of restoring the house and creating a small self sufficient vegetable garden, fruiting forest and small eco rental accommodation (to help fund the project). The long term goal here is to try to restore the native woodlands, improve soil quality and create a diverse ecosystem that will provide food. We are passionate about nature, both in helping it and enjoying it.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    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

    We're no experts but always aim to share the knowledge and experience we have acquired.

    I can teach English, a little Portuguese and Spanish and more fun skills like surfing, Skating (longboards) and Aikido (self defence) when I have spare energy.

  • Help

    Help

    The chores here are varied. There is plenty of help needed around the house, the vegetable gardens, forestry, maintenance and, occasionally, construction and landscaping.

    Tasks could include:-
    -Weeding and clearing land
    -Chopping and gathering firewood
    -Shredding leaves/branches in the machine.
    -Cooking and cleaning.
    -Planting/harvesting vegetables and baby trees.
    -Assisting with carpentry projects
    -Painting and decorating
    -Landscaping
    -Building traditional stone walls

    We are always interested in people with skills in building, gardening, carpentry, engineering and agriculture. Don't worry, even if you feel that you don't necessarily excel in the above skills but are a very practical responsible person, we can teach and you can be of great help.

    Our usual routine is 3 days per week so we can have more free time. We meet for a quick chat at 08:30 and work until 12:30 (Starting times can vary throughout the year as seasons change to avoid being too cold/hot.

    To maintain a hygienic and pleasant space for everyone you're expected to clean after yourself and take turns emptying the compost toilet etc. Please be aware that there is no smoking allowed on the farm.

    Personally we try to eat a healthy mostly a plant based diet from food grown either on site or by other local farmers. because volunteers are only asked to help 12 hours you will need to buy and prepare your own food unless joining for the occasional group meal at the house.

    Once per week we aim to have an optional big communal lunch together. We ask for 3€ to cover ingredients if people want to join. We have the option for someone who loves cooking to prepare the meal (and clean after). In exchange that person can finish land work 1 hour early and doesn't pay towards the ingredients. We provide all the ingredients and the use of the house kitchen + many herbs & spices.

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    Spanish: Fluent
    Dutch: Fluent
    Portuguese: Intermediate

    This host offers a language exchange
    I'm a polyglot and love learning bits from every language. I'm collecting ways to say "thank you". I can remember 25 on a good day. :)

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    We will endeavour to make peoples stay as pleasant as possible with an efficient solar powered hot shower, clean and tidy compost toilet, a dedicated 6mx3m kitchen/lounge in the woods, all gas, water, electric and internet are provided and there's a tranquil environment to relax in after helping.

    You will need a sleeping bag/pillow, good strong working boots, BIODEGRADABLE SHAMPOO/SOAPS, clothes you don't mind being dirty or breaking and maybe a torch for finding the toilet in the night. Between October and April you may need a rain coat just in case. No shoes to be worn inside.

    Our humble accommodation is in our woodland with a shared kitchen/lounge hut. It can vary from a bed in the shared volunteer caravan, a small personal caravan or a tent. We have 2 hard standing spaces for camper vans.

    We provide a couple of bicycles for our volunteers (to be kept clean and stored at night) and we sometimes take people on trips for fun activities or to explore local beaches and markets if people feel like joining us.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    We are in the heart of the Vicentina national park. The town of Aljezur is only 15 minutes by bicycle (30 walking) and the beach around 20 minutes.

    The old town of Aljezur and castle are magnificent and there are many little cafes.


    In your time off, if your budget allows, we can help you arrange other activities like horse riding, paddle boarding excursions, yoga classes etc.

  • 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

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    We have an unusually rare fast fibre internet connection for such a remote and rural location. Internet reaches the volunteer camp via power-line adaptors and is plenty fast enough for HD video streaming and conference calls.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    Depending on current volunteer numbers we can accept up to 2 campers/caravans on our hard standing areas in the pine woods next to our communal kitchen.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    12 hours per week, no food provided.

Host ref number: 619141422718

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