Join my syntropic agroforestry project in Semproniano, Italy

Details

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  Description

  We are Aliosha, 30, and Héloïse, 32. We live on family land in southern Tuscany.
  Aliosha has been developing a syntropic agroforestry project since 2022, Héloïse is a lettering artist specialised in stone carving.
  
  Our project is hybrid, combining agriculture, landscape regeneration and art. Each in our way we work with the land to bring more life to it. Along the way we aim to offer workshops to train people in our crafts, and organise encounters to create inter-disciplinary dialogue.
  For the time being we are hosting volunteers to work on the agroforestry fields.
  
  Agroforestry : After working in documentary film, I (Aliosha) took time to train in agroforestry. Since 2022 my focus has been to reforest whilst growing food, working with ecosystemical dynamics.
  
  A pilot field of 1500m2 was planted in December 22, at very high density, with plants grown in my nursery. It has been the lab for the big planting to come in autumn 2026.
  Since then I have worked on several agroforestry projects across Italy, taught workshops and given talks on the matter.
  In 2025 I managed the pruning and technical aspects of a 3 hectare commercial avocado farm in Sicily. You can find out more on my instagram.
  
  The new field is 1 hectare, and will be entirely without irrigation nor any external inputs. We will be planting only plants from my nursery as well as seeds and cutting from the neighbouring fields.
  It will be an almond and apple production. Working with the dynamics of ecological succession, pioneer plants will open the way for the seedlings of the fruit trees to grow.
  
  If you are interested in producing food at low cost and restoring fertility to degraded land this is the place for you!
  Please note that since spots are limited, priority will be given to people who are serious about working with agroforestry.
  
  Our land is on the border of a 300 + hectare natural park, with several rivers, a lot of wildlife, many trek routes... we are also situated in a part of Tuscany that has been continually inhabited since the etruscans, so there are also many archeological sites to visit.
  Unfortunately if you do not have a car it is hard to get around.
  
  The village is 15 min away by foot, and 10 minutes by car are famous natural hot springs.
  
  All year round we swim in two rivers that are a 5 minute drive.
  
  On rest days we are an hour away from the most beautiful beaches in the region (monte argentario), and 35 minutes away from the monte amiata mountain (1733m) where you can do many activities (trek, mountain sports, yoga etc).
  Languages spoken : French, English, Italian, Spanish.
  Looking forwards to have you.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Farmstay help
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We are in a unique place in Italy, and Europe. It is one of the least densely populated places in Europe and thus the landscape is still very wild. It is also the land of the Etruscan civilisation so there is a rich and ancient history.
  For agriculture, Italy and southern Europe is witnessing a trend of city dwellers going back to the land to try to grow food differently. The climate is changing fast and in unpredictable ways, so it's a fun challenge to develop resilient systems for the future!
  If you want to discover living in a natural environment and working with nature, as well as meeting likeminded people you are in the right place.

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  Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage

  This host offers accommodation and payment.

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  Help

  We will be preparing and planting the main agroforestry field. Work will go through septembre to December. At the start we will organise wood I harvest in the surrounding hedges, and after the field is ripped by a tractor mid octobre, we will be planting all the seedling, seeds and cuttings.
  
  In accordance with workaway regulations and italian labour law, minimum wage is offered as compensation for the help hours.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Fluent
  French: Fluent
  Italian: Fluent

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  Accommodation

  We rent an apartment in the village 2km away for volunteers during the hosting season.
  Lunch is shared on the land when we work.
  If you have your own car there are many great restaurants in the area!

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  What else ...

  If you do not have your own car reaching us from the nearest cities takes a few hours with public transport, but we can easily work it out.
  I have done volunteering and workaway in the past so I do my best to make you feel comfortable and at home.
  We have a big library with french, english and italian books.
  Feel free to contact me for any questions :)

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  My animals / pets

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