Food Forest help and natural building in Oleiros, Portugal

  • Favourited 76 times
  • Last activity: 30 May 2023

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least a week

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    Hello Wanderers,

    We are Aidi and Stefan, a couple with roots from Estonia and Germany, currently living in Portugal.

    This is new project in central Portugal, on aprox 5 ha land with forest and agriculture terraces. The land here has been abandoned for decades, its soil, trees and waterways need love and care.
    All around us are pine plantations, which need attention and re-planting with native trees to bring back wildlife and biodiversity.


    LATEST UPDATE!!
    Urgent help needed with following tasks:
    *General help with garden maintanance, cooking and building.
    Stefan is a carpenter but we would be happy to have another person with *CARPENTRY skills, there are several projects on hold - building a chicken coop and animal shelter, building a geodesic greenhouse and many more smaller constructions. * We would also appreaciate a STONEMASONS help, we are keen to learn about dry wall building and how to handle our abundance of rocks here. :))))))))

    As we are seeking to live in harmony with nature and its cycles, we wish to follow, explore and apply permaculture principles, agroforestry and keyline design, regenerative and biodynamic agriculture.
    Our aim is to produce food in abundance, to feed ourselves and those in need, to live off the land to maximum as possible, to promote local and homemade produce and of course share everything locally within the community.

    TASKS in PROGRESS:
    *clearing the waterways - there are several springs (water mines) with clean water DONE!!
    *designing areas to retain water
    *building temporary compost toilets DONE!! :)
    *setting up outdoor kitchen DONE!!
    *leveling terraces and access roads DONE!!
    *designing and preparing the land for permaculture, natural building and re-forestation
    *design and start with fire prevention measures
    *planning the vegetable gardens (Done) greenhouse, irrigation systems
    *building a wooden shelter for carpentry workshop and tools
    *building a shelter for firewood DONE!!

    NATURAL BUILDING PROJECTS:
    *geodome greenhouse
    *building a wooden cabin for winter shelter DONE!!
    *yoga platform (pavillion)
    *building a pizza/bread oven DONE!!
    *we are planning an earthbag COB house (start next spring/summer)
    *natural swimming pond (infinity pond)
    *vermicompost toilet
    *renovation of old schist house
    *repairing supportive stone walls on terraces and building new dry walls

    ART PROJECTS:
    *cob and wood works
    *upcycling
    *painting

    OTHER IMPORTANT PROJECTS:
    *having fun :)))
    *exploring, building and installing alternative energy systems
    *rainwater collection and water harvesting
    *recovering underground water tables and improving the groundwater flow
    *gray water and waste managing
    *composting
    *getting donkeys :)
    *and many more exciting projects to come...

    Our farm is situated in one of the most remote and wild places in Portugal. If you enjoy spending time in nature, long walks without seeing other humans, exploring caves, swimming in rivers and cold waterfalls, then this place is for you. :)
    There are many walking trails and just down the road, 1 km, is swimming place in beautiful Zezere river.

    We are on the edge of tiny village where only a handful of elderly people living who are very friendly and happy to receive visitors. There is no cafe or shop in the village, but we have an idea of using old cafe terrace to organize jam sessions and pizza days. :)

    Closest bigger town called Oleiros is aprox 14 km away, there you can find all amenities and public transport.
    We regularly go on shopping trips where you can join in if you have special needs.

    We have all the necessary tools for tasks, good electric tools and solar power to keep them working.
    We are also happy to share with you our skills. Stefan is a carpenter, electrician and mechanic and is interested in alternative energies and natural building.
    Aidi - passionate gardener, herb witch and alchemist, yogini and traveler, she is happiest whilst talking to plants, hugging trees, playing with her dogs, cooking and sharing her knowledge and stories.

    We also have 2 beautiful female dogs, Gipsy and Osa, and 2 very sweet cats Cleo and Tau, who love sharing their skills of having endless fun!! :)))

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Art Projects
    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    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

    Staying with us will offer an opportunity to explore portugese countryside and get to know local people and their ways, as well we will share our skills and endless travel stories and how we ended up in portugal. We have lot of knowledge about travelling, living in alternative ways and being self-supportive. :)

    While we love to chill and have fun, we are also hard workers and quite often like to be in our own quiet space.
    But dont worry, you will never feel lonely, because there will be many friends who come along to help and there are nice like minded people living in proximity. It will be fun family atmosphere, with good food, music and motivation! :)

  • Help

    Help

    We are specially welcoming people who have experience and expertise in permaculture design, water management, forestry and tree care, natural building, landscaping and stone workers.
    We would also appreaciate someone who would help us with cooking task, we are vegetarians. :)
    We also welcome people who enjoy physically demanding tasks such as digging, cutting wood, lifting stones and creative building.
    Since this is a beginning of the project, there will be so much to do and you will be helping to kick start an amazing project what will benefit the local community and the ones who particpate and gain experience in the process.

  • Languages spoken

    German: Fluent
    English: Fluent
    Estonian: Fluent
    Portuguese: Fluent
    Spanish: Beginner

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    As this project is only starting up, we offer the sleeping in the camping tent and provide matress, blankets and pillows (NOT IN THE WINTER!)

    During winter months we offer accomodation in cozy camper van, it has electricity, heater and kitchen. And we welcome people with their own campervans. :)

    The climate here is a bit milder than other places in portugal, but if you are sensitive to summer heat, please be prepared. Nights are colder, bring warm jacket, We have pillows and blankets to share.
    Winters are cold and wet, warm and waterproof clothes are a must. :)

    We eat as one family and share our food with you, 3 meals per day. We are vegan/vegetarians, our diet is based on wholefoods and lots of fresh vegetables and fruits, but will be considerate towards all wishes.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    There is direct bus from Lisbon to Oleiros, 3,5 h journey. We will pick you up from Oleiros.
    Just outside of Oleiros there is lovely riverbeach and camping area if you want to spend some time there.

    It is useful if you have drivers licence, you are welcome to use our car if you wish to go alone on shopping trip or for a short explore of the area. :)

  • 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

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    We welcome travelers with their own camper vans. We have several parking spaces, with beautiful views and in very peaceful setting. Spring water is nearby, and we have compost toilets.

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    We welcome all pets who are getting along with our 2 friendly female dogs, Osa is belgium shepherd (she is usually submissive but she can be rough when it comes to food, she loves to play and make new friends) Gipsy is a pointer mix, she is a bit shy of new people and new friends but she loves to play and run. They are both rescued and young age. We also have 2 very sweet cats, Cleo and Tau, guest dogs must respect cats.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    Two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Host ref number: 492628429224

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