Ecofarm sustainable project in Sicily, Italy

  • Favourited 377 times
  • Last activity: 27 Sep 2023

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS - OLIVE HARVEST OCT/NOV 2023

    Masha is running an eco project about rebirth an old farm and taking care at the olive and other trees.
    The land on which this project is originated has ancient origins. The ancestors of the Castiglione's family own this farm in the province of Trapani (Sicily) for hundreds of years. Towards the end of 1900, the family moved to the north of Italy looking for luck near Milan. Meanwhile, the soil produced oil and fruits but, with the busy and stressful life of Milan, it was very difficult to follow the farm as well, so there was just some olive trees. The family continues its life in northern Italy, until Little Masha, pioneer in the search for news, begins to travel around the world on Couchsurfing and discovering the various cultures and traditions and making so many friends and experiences. She has lived in Holland, the only one in the family who has crossed the border so far. Her experience in the Netherlands has been very instructive, she has been able to cultivate her passions, interests and capacities to understand that Little Sicily has so much to offer to the World. Sea, beaches, countryside, mountains, hills, caves, naturalistic landscapes, volcanoes, biodiversity, great food and nice weather all year long. Sicily is one of the most unique islands in the World, without going too far, in southern Europe we have so many unexplored treasures. The Dutch king is also very proud of the Sicilian people, able to arrange themselves even in times of crisis and create something new from the ashes, like a phoenix. Masha and her work team started working on this project of revival of the farm, in a rustic, ecological and economic way. The doors will be open to the world, anyone who wants to help, learn, experience nature life and animals, but with so much fun!
    Music will be our best friend, written, sung, dancing, listening ... will guide us on the journey of the rebirth of this place.
    Self-sustaining ... what does it mean? Each of us as a human being is part of the natural cycle of life on Earth, has innate ability to survive and to create solutions useful to the evolution of the Human species.
    We have (as human being) the innate ability to be creative, creators, researchers, sociable, fun, welcoming, loving, lucrative and protective.
    The Society of today's consumerism has led us to minimize our capabilities ... how? With the services and the stability.
    The mental, physical and economic stability leads the human to atrophy the innate capacities and directs it towards self destruction, disease or addiction on substances, persons or institutions.
    Self-sustainability also means movement, the trees are standing still, the man walks looking ahead. To look to the future WE have to think in a resolute and advanced way. Dreaming, imagining, creating, inventing, having fun all together for a better, independent and self-managed World.


    Why I’m on Workaway

    because We would like to meet people from different countries and share experiences's life. We need help with the renovation project. Is hard work, Masha is strong but cannot do it alone. we work hard but we play way more harder. During the weekend she will guide excursions of the surrounding area, showing the beauty and secret spots of the Wild Sicily.

    Interests

    music, art, culture, history, sports, film, fun, love for animals and nature, adventure, meditation, yoga, acrobatic sport, alternative medicine, cooking, juggling, massage therapy.

    Music, Movies, and Books

    music is our metronome's life, We love to listen and dance any kind of music belong different mood... psy trance, techno, hard rock, metal, ska, punk, classical, meditation, reggae, chilling, Indian, dub step, instrumental...

    Books

    1984 - George Orwell
    dr jekyll and mr hyde - Robert Louis Stevenson
    The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde
    Satisfaction - Gregory Berns Phd Dr
    The prophet - Kahlil Gibran
    Metamedicine - Claudia Rainville
    The Secret - Rhonda Byrne
    Permaculture - David Holmgren
    The China study - cooking healthy - Colin Campbell
    The biology of beliefs - Bruce Lipton
    The motivational manifesto - Brendon Burchard
    Becoming Supernatural - Dr. Joe Dispenza

    Teach, Learn, Share

    There are always at least 3 alternative way for everything, free of charge,we just have to find them!
    Believe in yourself, is the best person that you can trust
    Carpe Diem
    Make your best for yourself and for the world because WE ARE ONE
    Stay hungry, stay foolish
    Never surrender, keep on fighting
    Past is gone, future is unknown, life is NOW

    What I Can Share with Hosts

    We have 2 tents for max 5 people, sleeping in the nature is the best rest. is so easy and connect yourself directly with mother nature and her creatures. We also live in a tent, but we have a small 4 people house, in case of bad weather. You can help us on the daily commitments for the Renovation project under our wing. We are very friendly and we love to spend time with our guests, sharing experience's life and news about life with the rest of the world and common interests.
    We are planning to build modular houses, in case the camping is not possible we will stay in my family house when is empty, so we can host max 2 volunteers.

    The place is in the town of Custonaci (TP), 3km outside the city centre, in the countryside, 15 min by walk from the beach, 5 min by car. Nearby there is a little supermarket, tank station, bar, bakery , auto renting, tourist information with WiFi spot. The other services are in the town just 5 min by car and 30 min by walk (is located on a small hill) Is better if you get your own car, you can rent it at Palermo airport, if you don't have the car, you can get here with a bus from Palermo to Trapani, and another bus from Trapani to Custonaci (bus stop Scurati is near our place). Masha has a car and can help with the transfer.

    Water is very important and Sicily is well known as the most dry place in italy (we are near Africa), especially our area, we collect rain water and we use it for everyday use, if you boil it you can feel safe to drink, but in mostly case people buy bottled water. We don't have tap water running in the house, so we have to be careful to not waste it, short shower and short dish washing, use the water only for what is necessary.

    We are looking for strong people, who likes to workout in nature, mentally stable and physically strong, but also kind and social. We will work all together for 3/4 weeks with flexible date between 17th October till 9th November 2023.

    5h per day working with 2 days off, accomodation, food 50%, massage therapy

    Masha will depart from the Netherland, where she lives, Den Haag. Will drive till Genoa and take a cruise ferry till Palermo. She is also looking for an easygoing co-pilot. If someone is from The Netherlands, is a plus point!

    #nowaste #usebutnotabuse #greenlife #selfsustainable #oliveoil

  • 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
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    We live in a real Paradise, organized but still free and undiscovered, Sicily. It has so much to offer to the world. Sea, beaches, countryside, mountains, hills, caves, naturalistic landscapes, volcanoes, biodiversity, great food and nice weather all year long. Sicily is one of the most unique islands in the World, without going too far, in southern Europe we have so many unexplored treasures.
    We can share time together having fun during free time, or you can enjoy your time by your own.
    We can show you the surroundings, going to the beach and play music, talk, dance, sing, hiking...

  • Projects involving children

    Projects involving children

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

  • Help

    Help

    We need more hands for work better and faster for the rebirth project. We need people with open mind and available to learn, live and work outside in nature.
    We make extra-virgin olive oil and lemons for limoncello.
    As wrote above, everybody is able to do everything, so just believe in yourself and you will be able to do anything.
    If is possible, but not required, we need people with knowledge about Gardening, Farming, Animal Care, Cooking, General Maintenance. Creativity and economic ideas are welcome.
    We need independent people who can take care of themselves, from the waking up time to making yourself lunch or dinner, keep your room and the house clean and tidy. (yes, we have got so messy people not even able to wake up in the morning and get themselves together on time for work!) So We would prefer grown up people, do not want to set up a minimum age, but just let you know that you come here to help us, not the opposite. We prefer single rather than couples, people without mental health problems, able to work in the fields, using gardening tools in safety (yes, we have got people with mental disorders not able to listen directions and work safe with gardening tools) not playing around with each other during the working time in the field, you have to watch your step and be present, there are rocks in the ground. We do not provide health insurance, you are responsible for your own safety, the hospital is very far away from the farm.

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    Italian: Fluent
    Dutch: Intermediate
    Spanish: Beginner
    French: Beginner

    This 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

    Accommodation

    You will sleep in a tent, provided from us, or you can bring your own tent. Bring also your own sleeping bag. Shower and WC compost are open-air but with privacy.
    We have electricity provided with a cable, but we will be independent soon. If you have an EU sim card there is no problem to use data roaming, you will pay as in your country. We provide the place, but you can provide your own food at 50% and use the kitchen for cook what you wish.
    We are planning to build modular houses, in case the camping is not possible we will stay in my family house when is empty, so we can host max 2 volunteers.

    We will respect you as you will respect us. Polite and social way of living is required.

    Let us know if you are interested and please give us confirmation as soon as possible.

    Thank you

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    Local sights in the surroundings: Cornino Beach and seaside, Obscure Mangiapane Cave, Zingaro Natural Reserve, Cofano Mount with trekking, hiking and climbing, Santuario Maria SS. di Custonaci.

    Near Custonaci there are other cities like Erice, San Vito Lo Capo, Valderice, Bonagia. You must to take the bus to reach those destination

  • 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

    I have 100gb hot spot with my phone. Is quite enough to work online, but is with my phone, so if I go away, there is no internet at home. if you are a digital worker, I suggest you to get your own VPN internet connection or an italian sim card with internet abonament 100gb for 12 euro per month (WIND Tre) what I have right now.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    there is a parking space and entrance in the propriety enough for a campervan small or medium size

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    Pets are welcome, but you have to be careful to keep it close to you while we are working in the field, there is the back area that doesn't have a fence, so theoretically they can go out from the propriety very easy. We found a temporary solution, building a mobile fence to separate the frond field to the back field. So it will be safe!

  • 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: 749856229797

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