Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
29 Mar 2024
Reply rate
57.1 %
Usually responds within 5 days
Feedback
33
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
We're a Dutch family (Elisabeth, Chris and our two sons Koen & Lucas) running a goat farm in the Gers, South West France. We have about 130 Alpine goats, 40 goat kids 6 billy's, 2 pigs (the local "Porc Noirs" -breed), some chicken, cats, a dog that eats the chicken, 50 ha of arable land and 20 ha of woods.
We manage the farm in a sustainable way (Chris is an agricultural engineer with a specialization in organic agriculture) and try to keep farming and nature in balance. Our work differs with the seasons: In spring we have busy period with the lambing; summertime is hay making, harvesting cereals and seeding covercrops; in autumn the fields are preared and seeded for the next year.
Beside the daily work (milking, feeding the goats, taking care of the other animals, the vegetable garden, repairing anything that breaks down) there are lots of projects (e.g. cutting firewood for the winter, breaking down a shed, building a chicken barn to painting the woodwork of the yurt, building an outdoor kitchen). And of course there is work on the land, however therefore you need to have some experience with tractors. Everything is possible depending on your skills and interests. In general its hard physical work but there is also plenty of time to walk/cycle/read/relax and doing nothing.
Our farm is located in a very rural area but not isolated. There is a village at 5 min down hill by bike with shops, restaurants and a market every Friday. A larger town is at 20 minutes drive by car. The Pyrenees are at 80 k
We provide three meals a day. Veggies come mainly from our own garden, meat from our pigs & goats, but we also like a good old pizza now and then..
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Farmstay help
Help around the house
Animal Care
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Feeding / milking the goats and bottle-feeding the lambs (in the lambing season)
Helping out with all types of farm related work (adapted to your skills and interests)
Repearing anything that breaks down (and over the year that's a lot)
Working in the vegetable garden,
Strimming, mowing, cutting / chopping wood
Cooking
Lots of (bigger and smaller) building
Walking/cycling/readinng/relaxing and doing nothing.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Dutch: FluentThis 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
You will stay in a yurt or a caravan. There is electricity, water, an outside shower and a dry toilet. In the yurt is a woodburner. But of course you can also make use of a bathroom in the house and other house facilities.
What else ...
From the airport in Toulouse (Blagnac) you can either take the train or hitchhike to Auch. There we will pick you up.
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?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 25 hours a week
Feedback (17)
Richard and Lucy did all the work in a good mood, structured and… read more
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.7)
Cultural exchange:
(4.7)
Communication:
(5.0)
Richard and Lucy did all the work in a good mood, structured and… read more
Chris, Els, the boys, and "kids" were just an amazing experience for me. A really loving and wonderful family they are, with a beautiful farm and acres of land. I helped them out by feeding the goats, helped out with the newborn "lambs" and absolutely fell in love with them. :) I also did some gardening with Els! It… read more
Phil is very pleasant company, we had many good… read more
Only had chance to stay with them for 2 weeks but I'm already planning my return later in the year!
I had the best time on the farm, I learnt so much about a completely different way of farming which has helped hugely with my work back in the UK. More than that though was the enjoyment of living with such an amazing… read more
The true Viking spirit became… read more
I helped with feeding and mucking out the goats, weighing the kids and tagging them, and even got… read more
Thanks again Jolanda and good luck with your future plans!
It was a delight to stay at your farm and help with the feeding and milking of the goats each day, working the land on the tractor, and enjoying the beautiful surroundings, local villages and great food...and all the while learning about what it takes in running an ethically… read more
But besides of the work it was a pleasure to have him at the table, not only… read more
We recommend them to any other hosts without hesitation. Thanks a lot Steffi and Till, good luck on your journey and hope we will see each other again!
