Participate in the early phase of setting up a naturist eco farm in the remote Alentejo, Portugal

  • Favourited 390 times
  • Last activity: 19 Mar 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: No minimum

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    We are a family of three and our land is out in the country side of the Alentejo. Some years ago we have moved from Germany to Portugal and are currently working on a 10 ha naturist eco project where we invite you to think, play and participate. We have already set up some of the essential infrastructure like an Solar Off-Grid System for electricity, a water system for freshwater from one of our wells, a shower and toilet house, a simple kitchen, a treehouse etc.

    Our property is very remote and perfect for naturism. We already have three natural lakes where we regularly enjoy a skinny dip. Also we are using the lake water to turn our garden into a permaculture biotope.

    Doreen has studied Environment and Forestry and is focusing within our project on the land development and gardening by following the ideas of permaculture, regenerative agriculture and syntropic farming. Her aim is to stop desertification and to make our land green and fertile by applying a smart water management. Also she is experimenting with different valuable and unique plants and processes.

    Falko has a wide spread Engineering background and worked for many years as a Project Manager for large scale solar power plants across the world. Falko looks into different construction projects such as refurbishing our old Alentejo adobe farmhouse. The new roof is already in place and we have done the plastering of the inner walls by using the clay from our land.

    Fabian is 13 years old and loves sports. After attending a Portuguese local school for 5 years, which helped him becoming fluent in the Portuguese language, he now is learning project based and homeschooled with an American school. Besides school Fabian joined the local football and Karate club. Fabian loves the nature and animals here and he enjoys jumping on our trampoline and riding his bike on a self made mountain bike dirt track on our land.

    The three of us traveled a lot with our camper van all over Europe and spent extended time in India and Japan. We have an honest interest in different cultures and love to meet people from different nations.

    You will come as a WorkAwayer and most likely leave as a friend.

    We are also open to other families or couples who want to join our project for a longer period or want to become co-creator.

    NOTE: please be aware that this is a naturist project. First time naturists are also very welcome.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Art Projects
    Language practice
    Help with Eco Projects
    Teaching
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Farmstay help
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
    Help with Computers/ Internet
  • 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 are from Germany and open to all kind of people and have been travelers ourselves for many years. We are open to new cultures and languages and enjoy exchanging travel adventures as well as sharing knowledge we’ve gained during the last years building up our little homestead.

  • Projects involving children

    Projects involving children

    This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

  • Help

    Help

    There are many sub-projects and a lot of work to do.

    GARDEN
    From a former Olive tree plantation we are increasing the diversity by planting more fruit and supporting tree species. Also we have created some new vegetable beds which deliver fresh veggies all around the year. The jobs in the garden are:

    - harvesting olives
    - planting trees
    - maintaining vegetable beds
    - weeding
    - grass trimming
    - pruning
    - collecting materials for composting
    - making an 18-day-fast-compost


    FARMHOUSE
    We have a beautiful old farmhouse made from clay which we have refurbished and do need volunteers mainly for the last details:

    - mosquito nets for doors and windows
    - painting (lime paint)
    - plastering with clay


    TREEHOUSE
    Our simple treehouse with approximately 10 sqm needs a makeover. The following projects are on our list:

    - insulation & inside walls
    - installing a proper door and window
    - rustic facade


    KITCHEN
    The old hen-house we have turned into an "outdoor" kitchen and now is equipped with a fridge, a stove and water installations. The kitchen can be used by all of us. Recently we have also installed a reverse osmose filter for drinking water. The kitchen shelter is simple and rustic but charming. We aim to further improve the kitchen:

    - wall repairs
    - plastering
    - sink with drainage


    BATHHOUSE
    Onto some old brick walls we've continued building with wooden blanks to create two rooms for shower and toilet. Here we need:

    - plastering
    - installation of a sink
    - brick laying
    - natural stone laying
    - installation of solar heating system for hot water
    - decoration and arts


    LAKE
    We have dug several lakes. The first lake is in the middle of our 3ha walled garden and has a size of about 2000 sqm. We aim to have smart natural cleaning systems in place by planting plenty of water plants in natural filtration areas. The challenge here is that the water level will not be constant over the year and we can easily lose a lot of water through evaporation in summer. Some tasks can be:

    - landscaping
    - planting trees
    - setting up natural filtration areas
    - natural stone laying
    - building a wooden porch and dock into the water


    FARMING
    Currently we have some chickens but we aim to have more animals here:

    - building a mobile chicken house
    - fencing
    - feeding and cleaning the chickens


    Some other tasks:
    - cooking together
    - Portuguese lessons
    - mentoring our son with some school projects

  • Languages spoken

    German: Fluent
    English: Fluent
    Portuguese: Beginner

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Caravan, guest room, tent and treehouse - depending on availability

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    We live close (10 min by car) to the small town of Ourique which offers supermarkets, cinema, post office, library and lots of little shops, cafes and restaurants. From here it will take you approximately 50 min either to the coastline of the Algarve or west coast. The area around our property is good for walking, cycling and horseback riding. A riding stable is in the neighborhood.

    We enjoy being here very much especially because it is a very peaceful place. Would be nice to welcome people who like to live close to nature and enjoy the tranquility and authenticity of rural Alentejo.

    Ourique is connected to the Portuguese bus network (Rede Expressos) and we can pick you up at the local bus station. The nearest train station is Funcheira, which has connections to Lisbon and Faro. This is also where the closest airports are.

  • 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

    Digital nomads are welcome to stay, help and use our facilities.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    Travelers who come in their own camper or caravan are welcome to stay on our land where we can offer outdoor facilities (kitchen, shower, toilet). We are very interested in welcoming families with children, preferably between 12 and 16 years old.

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    Pets we only can accept when they are easily controlled by the owner and don’t hunt our chickens.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Host ref number: 645373823716

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