Information du profil
Évaluation d'hôte
80 %
Last replied
16 mars 2024
Taux de réponse
61.6 %
Usually responds ≤ 25 jours
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47
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Infos
Description
We, Olav and Rebecca (both 43), run a small family farm in Hardanger, Norway. We also get some help from Olav’s mother, Kirstin, especially when Olav is away at sea. Olav’s shift pattern is two weeks away and two weeks at home on the farm. Olav’s two eldest sons also help out on some weekends. We are a big family with six children aged 15, 13, 11, 8 and two baby twin girls. Olav is Norwegian and Rebecca is originally from the UK. Rebecca’s primary role on the farm is to run a busy family household, but she also assists in managing the farm.
We raise sheep and grow four varieties of organic apples on the farm. The farm is situated with a view of the Hardangerfjord and Folgefonna glacier to the south, and often snow-capped mountains to the north. The farm is quite central in Øystese: a small town popular with tourists. A 10 minute walk takes you right into the centre where there are shops, a beach, restaurants and a swimming pool plus other amenities. It takes about an hour and a half to get from Øystese to Bergen in the west by bus, and the same amount of time to Voss in the east. The surrounding mountains are ideal for skiing and hiking.
We grow our apples organically and our sheep are almost exclusively grass-fed, grazing on the high mountain pastures during the summer months. Our vision for the farm includes improving and building the soil using regenerative techniques such as biochar, cover crops, composting and holistic grazing management. We keep the use of pesticides, herbicides and synthetic fertilizers to a bare minimum that complies with organic standards. Producing excellent, sustainable food, fibre and fuel whilst maintaining and improving biodiversity are important values to us. We produce high quality apple juice, apples and sheepskins, and are self-sufficient in lamb and mutton. We want to create a kitchen garden to become self-sufficient in vegetables.Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre
Aide avec des éco-projetsJardinageBricolage et constructionS’occuper des animauxAide dans une fermeBaby-sitting et jeux créatifsCuisine/repas pour la familleAide à la maisonEntretien généralObjectifs de développement durable de l’ONU que cet hôte essaie d'atteindre
Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre
Hardanger is Norway’s number one fruit-growing region, and a stay at our farm is a chance to learn more about modern fruit-growing as well as regenerative agriculture. Olav is a qualified orchard gardener and farmer from a long lineage of farmers. The farm has been in his family since 1792. Rebecca is an ecologist, plus English and science teacher. She also has significant experience with permaculture and vegetable growing, having previously established and run Norway’s second permaculture LAND site, Seversgarden.
The surrounding mountain areas are perfect for hikes, and for skiing in the winter. Øystese has an art museum and exhibition centre. There are sometimes concerts and music festivals there too. We might have time show you around, but we are mostly busy working both on and off the farm. Alternatively, we will happily recommend places for you to go.
We do like travelling, but right now the better option is letting the world come to us. We look forward to sharing our Norwegian (farming) culture with you, and also to learn things about you and your culture.
If you enjoy reading, we have heaps of books on subjects like self-sufficiency, gardening, farming and food preservation. Or sci-fi, if that's your cup of tea.Projets impliquant des enfants
Ce projet peut impliquer des enfants. Pour en savoir plus, consultez nos directives et conseils ici.
L’hôte offre un salaire correspondant au salaire minimum
Cet hôte offre l'hébergement et une rémunération.
L’hôte a indiqué qu'il paierait au moins le salaire horaire minimum de son pays pour chaque heure travaillée et que l’hébergement serait fourni. Il demande de l'aide dans le cadre de son entreprise ou activité professionnelle. Contactez l'hôte directement via la messagerie du site pour en savoir plus et avoir des détails sur le salaire proposé. Tous les arrangements devraient être conclus à l'avance avec votre hôte.
Aide
The apple orchards are fairly new (planted in 2018 and 2019) and need care throughout the growing season. Tasks such as mowing, strimming around the trees and fertilizing are common tasks. In the autumn we harvest and in the winter, we prune the trees.
Feeding the sheep morning and evening is the most important task during the winter. Lambing is in April, and we really need extra helping hands for that. From May until October the sheep graze outside. In May and then Sept-Oct time
they graze outdoors on pastures close to home; June through August they are up in the mountains. This winter we will most likely be felling trees for firewood, and could need some help with that.
Winter activity on our farm includes forest tasks; clearing pastures and cutting and chopping wood. It would be great if you have experience using a chainsaw and driving a tractor, but not a necessity. Instructions and training will be given on all tasks.
We are also building a production room for juice and cider. If would be great if you have skills as a carpenter or plumber, but general handiness and a good work ethic goes a long way.
You will be expected to work five hours a day five days a week.
We are a paying host, providing free accommodation, wifi, electricity and food. We'll talk more about this in a video call.Langues parlées
Anglais: Courant
Norwegian: Courant
Allemand: DébutantHébergement
We have two residences for accommodating you. We will fit you in to the best of our abilities and take into consideration personal space/privacy, etc.
Cellar apartment
A self-contained and recently refurbished cellar apartment with kitchen, brand new bathroom (with underfloor heating, toilet, shower, sink, washing machine), living and dining area and two bedrooms. Good WiFi and internet cable connection.
Garage loft
Garage loft with one separate bedroom. There is a living room with a sofa and a desk, and two spare beds. Small fridge and possibilities for light cooking. There is no water installed in the garage loft. A bathroom with toilet and shower is in the basement of the main farmhouse (separate to the self-contained cellar apartment, but very close by). Good WiFi and internet cable connection, a fridge and also a TV screen.
Food and meals
You will mostly make your own food with other Workawayers in the kitchen of the self-contained cellar apartment of the farmhouse. We regularly stock the apartment with groceries, so it’s super important that you let us know of any particular dietary requirements! We also have food stores in the cellar of the house which you will have access to; consisting of a cool larder, freezers and refrigerators. These are stocked with basic supplies and dry goods. Some days we will all eat together, particularly during the summer months when we can all eat outdoors. We mostly eat separately, however, because of a lack of space. We provide you with necessary groceries, but please also try to make meals based on what you can find in our larder/pantry.Autres infos...
We primarily look for couples and co-travellers because Olav works at sea in addition to the farm, so you will often be alone on the farm with some supervision and help from Rebecca and Olav’s mother.
We prefer longer workaway stays (at least four weeks, but preferably longer) because Olav is at sea for two weeks at a time, but also to allow you to settle in to the work routines, get to know fellow travellers and discover the local area.
Your working hours might not always be fixed. Sometimes your help will be most needed in the evenings and weekends.Informations complémentaires
Accès Internet
Accès Internet limité
Nous avons des animaux
Nous sommes fumeurs
Familles bienvenues
Possibilité d’accueillir les digital nomads
Good wifi available.
Espace pour garer des vans
Room for an rv.
Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?
Plus de 2
Nombre d'heures attendues
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (32)
I was given a lot of trust and worked independently most of the time. This might not be… read more
I helped during the harvest season. One of my main tasks was to harvest the apples, sort them and - the most fun part - press them into delicious juice. But that wasn't my only task. Sometimes I also had to clean the farmhouse and I enjoyed working with the… read more
Feedback
Ce sont des évaluations supplémentaires en option lorsque les membres laissent un feedback. La note moyenne pour chaque option est affichée.
Exactitude du profil:
(4.9)
Échange culturel:
(4.5)
Communication:
(4.5)
I was given a lot of trust and worked independently most of the time. This might not be… read more
I helped during the harvest season. One of my main tasks was to harvest the apples, sort them and - the most fun part - press them into delicious juice. But that wasn't my only task. Sometimes I also had to clean the farmhouse and I enjoyed working with the… read more
Olav and Rebecca always tried their best in making us feel at home. They are extremely corteous and nice to talk to. They were quick to answer our questions and very flexible about our days off.… read more
The tasks are the ones you can expect in a farm, sometimes monotonous, sometimes physical demanding. But of course sometimes really… read more
It was my first Workaway and everything went really well.
The Oystese region and the Hardangerfjord are magnificent with lots of hiking to do! The towns of Voss and Bergen are also easily accessible by bus.
The work was pleasant outdoors, between… read more
I spent three months here, from September to December 2022. My time there was simply fantastic. I met people of various nationalities, and made long-lasting friendships along the way.
The work there was diverse and not too redundant. At one point, there were six Workawayers, and I… read more
During my stay on winter season, I carried out several tasks: manipulation of last apple batches, sheep barn care, forest work, wood handling...
Øystese has amazing views of the fjord and the mountains, so enjoyable for working outdoors… read more
The first week, the work was mainly to cut grass under the apple trees with a big lawnmower. It was a physically hard job. And then I did a lot of other tasks such as cutting apple… read more
The work was varied (from chopping down trees, to making birdboxes, binding trees, looking after the sheep and mincing meat) and it was always interesting.
Olav very generously let us use his skii's, sledges etc. and gave us lots of… read more
Olav and his family are really nice and kind people. Øystese is a wonderful place and there is so much opportunities to have fun there. I've been hiking, snowboarding, skiing, swimming, sledging ...
The work is great, I tied the branches of the apple trees so they won't break when the apples arrive, I took care… read more
Olav was very clear on the instructions and jobs to do. We mainly had the project to build a cold room, and he had all the necessary tools (which is a pleasure!), and was really available to answer any technical… read more
The farm is lovely and I have my own Apartament and I felt very cozy. Olav is very relaxed and he take all the time to explain you what to do if you don’t know. His mother also is… read more
Was nice to meet you and hope to see you again!
They provide everything… read more
He was always very friendly, explained how sth. is done… read more