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Help at our lovely old farmhouse in the Valdichiana area of Tuscany, Italy

  • Favourited 121 times
  • Last activity: 22 Jan 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: 1 week or less

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    We are an Italian and Canadian couple, myself a psychotherapist and my husband a translator, living in a lovely old farmhouse (the oldest part dates to the seventeenth century) in the Valdichiana area (Arezzo province), Tuscany. Both Italian and English are spoken (plus a little bit of French).

    We share the house and land with a dog, nine cats, a peacock, two peahens, one hen and three geese.

    The land hosts about a hundred olive trees, plum trees, fig trees, quince trees, wild apple trees, wild plum trees, pomegranate trees and elderberries. We grow indigenous heritage plants in order to develop the biodiversity of the site. We collect aromatic plants such as lavender, curry plant, rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano, marjoram, basil, fennel... with the intention of producing essential oils. Last but not least, there is a large collection of Iris varieties.

    We are custodians of old varieties of Irises, with the mission to save them from genetic erosion. At the same time, we grow new varieties, and occasionally we hybridise some of them.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help with Eco Projects
    Help around the house
    Art Projects
  • 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 can teach agricultural methods such as “circular gardening” or “mandala garden” based on sacred geometry, as well as soil regeneration by means of different techniques.
    For people interested in arts and crafts, we can also give basic knowledge about ceramics, painting, basketry and sculpture
    As well, for those interested in spiritual growth, shamanism, dowsing/radionics, and past lives therapy, we can offer courses from basic to advanced.

  • Help

    Help

    We are looking for people to help with: picking olives (October), pruning the olive trees (March-April), planting various crops, taking cuttings to reproduce plants, eco-construction, building of enclosures. Participation in daily chores will also be appreciated.

  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent
    French: Fluent
    Italian: Fluent

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Private cottage with its own bathroom and double size bed.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    We are located in the Valdichiana valley close to art cities such as Cortona, Arezzo, Montepulciano, Siena, Florence, Perugia and many other picturesque towns. Buses and trains not far from home.

  • 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

  • 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: 751226929171

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Accuracy of profile: (5.0)

Cultural exchange: (5.0)

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