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Description
**Update June 2024: we are looking for one or two workawayers to start now until the end of June**
We are Elisabetta (55) and Francesco (27), farmers by choice. :)
Two generations who decided to look after their little corner of paradise by growing healthy food while respecting the soil and the environment. No chemicals admitted!
Our little farm is based on a 12 hectare property, half of which is still untouched bush, leaving the other half to verdant hilly fields. It is located outside the town of Cremolino, in the Monferrato region in Piedmont: famous for its great wine and nestled among quiet hills, but not far from the Ligurian sea. The closest small city is Ovada (15 min drive), while Alessandria and Genova (1 hour drive) are bigger ones.
The house is located on top of a quiet hill with a beautiful view on the surrounding valleys. Two cuddly dogs keep us company: Haru and Nikita.
We grow vegetables of all kinds using the principles of organic regenerative agriculture, agroforestry and permaculture. Collecting rainwater is a constant mission too.
We aim to organise our vegetable garden in rectangular plots interspersed with lines of bigger trees and perennial herbaceous crops: this is just the beginning!
The produce we harvest is used for our own consumption and for a group of families in the area. It's a sort of community of like-minded farmers and people among which everyone share their produce. At times we process the excess veggies into jars and cans that we use during winter. We do not sell at local markets or have a shop of our own; we currently do not have any employees since it's only two of us (mother and son, at times daughter Giulia as well) working on the property.
We also have bees and some hens, so we have amazing honey and fresh eggs always available. Recently we stared a little experiment for growing mushrooms.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We would love to share our knowledge in every field: agricultural techniques, sustainable living, Italian cuisine, food processing, small maintenance jobs, language exchange. You are encouraged and more than welcome and to share your culture and knowledge with us: local dishes from your area, language and idioms, specific skills, anything really!
We mainly speak Italian and some basic English, but as Italians hand gestures are our universal language :)
Help
We are looking for one or two helpers (couples welcome), anyone willing to learn and help with the most diverse activities: proactivity and teamwork are the key. If you have some specific skills that you would like to share, even better! We would need someone who doesn’t fear getting their hands dirty, who’s comfortable around dogs, and very adaptive to a simple rural life (we don’t own a tv and currently have no wi-fi but we can hotspot you upon necessity). Most likely, we would need help for 3 or 4 consecutive full working days, leaving you the rest of the week free to explore; the schedule can be discussed and arranged depending on the workload.
In the middle of the spring and summer season the day starts early to avoid the heat: feeding the chickens, spraying natural fertilisers and water the crops, transplanting and seeding, cleaning up the underbrush, chipping wood branches, harvesting veggies etc.
After lunch, during the hottest time of the day, it’s time for some rest in the shade or for some small jobs in the workshop or little houseworks. We then go back to the fields in the late afternoon.
Every now and then we like to bake fresh bread and focaccia in our woodfire oven and take part in small gatherings with like-minded friends from the surrounding towns: fun company and amazing food!
Languages
Languages spoken
Italian: Fluent
English: BeginnerThis 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
You will be staying in shared bedroom with two single beds in our house; depending on the number and gender of helpers of that period, you will be sharing either with him/her or one of us (of course, boys with boys and girls with girls). We can discuss and come to an agreement on the accommodation. We have space for a camper van or a tent on the property, if you have your own.
Shared meals with us are included; we mainly have a vegetarian diet based on our own products, but the kitchen is available for use if you wish to cook something of your own.
What else ...
In the area in which we live wildlife is abundant and lively: we often sight or hear foxes, deers, boars, hares, woodpeckers, hawks, dormice, etc.
From a cultural point of view, there’s plenty to see and explore: every town in the area has a medieval center and a castle. In summer, every weekend, some kind of food fair or festival takes place in the area.
The sea isn’t far at all, with Liguria and Genova being only 1 hour away from us. It can be reached by train or by car to spend the day or a couple of days exploring. There are plenty of trails on the hills if you’re into trekking.
In terms of transportation, we can pick you up and drop you off at the train stations in Ovada, Alessandria or Genova, and we can arrange lifts to the train stations if you wish to explore on your days off.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
3 or 4 full days of work per week depending on the season (negotiable and flexible)
