Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
26 Feb 2024
Reply rate
85.7 %
Usually responds within 2 days
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7
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Details
Description
ORGANIC ORANGE GARDEN IN SICILY (ITALY)
Hi, I'm Francesco (52), i live in a organic orange garden in Paternò (CT) sometimes my sons Antonino (23) and Matteo (17) came to spend a couple of day with me. I work at catania airport and i spend my freetime in the garden.
The garden is about 8000 m², mainly oranges, some olives and other fruit trees. It's located in the Simeto valley at the foot of the volcano Etna. Unfortunately the garden has been abandonend during the last two years. now i'm trying to resume it and i'm hopefull to succed. I manage it adhering to the principles of sustainability in a olistic view of nature elements and human being. It's not a big farm and basically we produce for personal use, only oranges production generate surplus that we sell directly to our friends and family, for me it's a way of life.
It's about ten years i live in the garden, i would like to live a full garden life but i work at Catania Airport and i have 3 sons, i feel to live in the middle land between the system and a real country life where i can produce what i need, be indipendent and feel free but it's difficult to do that alone. Now for example every time i start a vegetable garden at the end i don't have time to manage it, i had hens but they need to be feed every day.......so i hope someone sharing this vision come help me to achieve a rate of self-sufficiency in the way that can enrich each other.
Also i cooperate with my neighbors Jenny(31) and Luca(32) living within 10 minutes walk from me, we have a common project to mutual help and weekly we hepl each other so jobs will take place in their garden too.
Other project are: achive a bio-lake( work is in progress), planting more trees, restore the vegetable garden, make orange jam and limoncello, build a chicken coop, experiment of natural building, prooning, spread fertilizer, general maintenance of the project structures,.........
The garden is about 5 km far from Paternò and there is no public transport service connecting them, so we'll arrange to get you when arrive or leave you at the nearest bus or rail station when you want to go sightseeing during your freetime TAKE EVEN IN ACCOUNT THAT OFTEN I'M NOT IN THE GARDEN WHEN I GO TO WORK OR TO VISIT MY SONS
ACCOMODATION will be in the wooden house where i live, there is also a carovan if you prefer but winter season is too cold to stay there.
NO DOGS Five cats live in the farm so we are sorry but you can't bring any dog with you.
we'll prepare meal together or we take turns, the same to keep enviroments clean
Especially welcomed volunteers that have previous experience in farming, outdoor life, coocking. feels good when with plants, animals, and in a natural environement, being sociable and happy to share, building with wood or other materials.
When you write us, please introduce yourself, tell us why you would like to come, tell us about your skills and knowledge and if you have a personal projects.
please specify in your mail when you want to come and for how long you would like to stay.
Excited to exchange experiences and share a little part of life path,, contact me for any question.
Hope to see you soon.Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practiceHelp with Eco ProjectsGardeningDIY and building projectsCreating/ Cooking family mealsHelp around the houseGeneral MaintenanceUN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
language exchange, organic farming, gardering, how to harvest, prune and care of fruit trees and vegetables
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
The volunteers will help us in our everyday tasks, gardering, plant trees, , building, prooning
Languages
Languages spoken
Italian: Fluent
English: IntermediateThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.Accommodation
ACCOMODATION will be in the wooden house where I live, or a caravan if they prefer
we provide food as part of the exchange. we request volunteers to help in the kitchen tasksWhat else ...
Please be very carefull when you book your flight to arrive to "Catania Fontanarossa Airport" and not "Comiso Airport" wich is really far and poorly connected to catania.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
Can possibly accept pets
This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (4)
The land is both peaceful and stunning and it’s a great opportunity to completely switch off and connect with nature. We enjoyed a variety of tasks day to day, and Francesco ensured that… read more
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
The land is both peaceful and stunning and it’s a great opportunity to completely switch off and connect with nature. We enjoyed a variety of tasks day to day, and Francesco ensured that… read more