Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
5 Mar 2024
Reply rate
63.6 %
Usually responds within 3 days
Feedback
4
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Details
Description
Hi everyone,
I'm a belgian who has moved to Sicily, Italy. Since 2010 on a 5ha plot of land I'm putting back an abandoned farm in working order. Part of it lies next to a river, another part is a plain halfup the hill. Big part of the slope is terraced by dry-stone walls.
The land has never been transformed into a monoculture of species but has been build up logic. Near the river are the trees which are in need of more water like walnuts, citrus, loquats, kaki... also a small vegetable garden is here. Uphill are olives, almonds and carob trees. Scattered around are some apple, apricot, pear, pistachio, pomegranate, myrtle, mulberry etc.
By adding other species like avocado, white sapote, cherimoya, guava,... and experiment with permaculture guilds I am transforming this current situation into a food forest.
More concrete: the walnut guild, alley cropping, mulching, using nitrogen fixing trees, on contour planting...
The goal is to enhance biodiversity, become an educational, demonstrative and working permaculture project (not just words but action), self sufficiency and off grid living.
I grow vegetables for own use and make my own marmalade and dryed fruits.
There are also two old buildings on the land. I already started rebuilding parts of it. By using local material (like cane) and traditional building techniques i want to keep it as ecologic as possible.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I can teach you anything I've learned the last couple of years about permaculture in a mediterranean climate.
As well dry stone building and the traditional technique of using canes for building a roof.
To me, cultural exchange is as well telling stories, sharing experiences and ideas.
Do you like to come and give me a hand? Please contact me only if you really really really, really want to help, don't write to me in an impulse. When I accept you and you don't show up you take someone elses possibility away.
Thanks for taking your time reading this. Michel
(Mahatma Ghandi quote: be the change you want to see in the world)
Help
Lots of people know that the rat race is not healthy but do not know what the alternatives are. I also got through this process. That's why I like to create a place for people to come and stay, to come and go, to live and learn with nature and the cycle of life. A place that shows it's possible to live off grid and without all the waste that mass consumption creates. To show some of the solutions.
This last couple of years I learned so much about herbs, wild edible plants, skills that schools do not teach. Things so many people (as I had) have lost connection with.
I would like to invite anyone interested. If you like to have the same experience or if you want to help out (there's always something to do :-) ) You're welcome.
The one in charge here are the seasons, they determine the tasks: pruning, harvesting, planting, building.
End of august you can help me with the carob and almond harvest. I don't have a big production so we'll have time to do other things as well. During october their is the walnut harvest.
Building and renovating I do mainly during the 'colder' months, november until april.
I attend a small farmersmarket where I sell some of my fruit.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Italian: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
French: IntermediateThis 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
For the time being I can host you in a simple room. Solar power electricity available. Free wifi is available in the nearby town where I go at least once a week.
The food will be mainly vegeterian, fresh vegetables and fruit straight out of the garden. During winter there are as well many wild, spontaneous and edible vegetables around, I can teach you about them. What I don't produce myselve I buy on the local farmersmarket, organic of course.
What else ...
The farm is at only 7km from the baroque town Noto, another 7 km and your on the nearest beach.
At 15min walk from the farm you can find a nature reserve with ponds to dive in or you can enjoy the archeologic site of Noto Antica.
How to get here: The nearest airports are Catania and Comiso. I can pick you up in Noto at the bus or trainstation.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
Max height 2.9m
Can possibly accept pets
Dogs
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (4)
I learned a lot of every aspect of life in Sicily and I will… read more
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Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.5)
Cultural exchange:
(4.5)
Communication:
(4.0)
I learned a lot of every aspect of life in Sicily and I will… read more
Before arriving, some people told us how extreme our stay could have had been.
But after tasting this incredible property and having met his owner, we would have loved to stay longer and repeat this experience again and again.
Michel is a great person, even too… read more
