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100 %
Last replied
10 Oct 2024
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Description
Hi everyOne !
My name is Christelle, I am 51 years old and belgian. 13 years ago, on my way to Santiago de Compostella, I met Jos who bought that beautiful farm in 1995. We fell in love :) and I came back. A beautiful story...
Together and with the help of many others, including workawayers, we went on developping what he started : an oasis for minerals, plants, animals and human beings. The farm always welcomed people: pilgrims, travellers, volunteers, friends, etc.
In February 2023, Jos had an accident with his tractor and he left this world for a new journey... Since then, I am trying to keep the farm upright. 2023 had been a rough year but things happened, thanks to the network around the farm. Life goes on...
Since the beginning of 2024, I feel much better and I have ideas for the future. I love the place but alone, it doesn't make sense. This place is meant to be shared. That's also what drives me: to connect and to share life, the good sides, the sad sides, the difficult sides. And share love, above all.
I studied management a while ago and more recently, natural healing. In 2022, I started to organise fast weeks at the farm and retreats. Considering that taking care of people is a part of the core of the place, I have the idea to welcome all kind of workshops concerning well-being and nature (yoga retreat, meditation, singing, permaculture design, etc.). The farm is ideally located between Brussels and Paris and it's in full nature.
Everything needs to be done: I need to create an association, prepare a crowdfunding campain to buy a yurt for the workshops, etc.
And in the meanwhile, there are 3 ha of land to look after! We used to have sheep and chickens but not anymore, as long as I will be living on the farm alone. I have two shetland poneys and my border collie, Rawette. I am motivated to have a beautiful garden again as I love to cook fresh organic food and eat!
About myself, a bit difficult in a few words but I have the idea I am an easygoing person, creative, active, adaptable, always looking for solutions. I love to talk about life, share simple moments, a good beer, a good meal, I like to walk, read, write. I live in a simple way and most of the time, I find that the world we are living in is crazy... Up to us, to me, to be a part of the change.
Do you want to be a part of that new adventure? That would be great!
I am looking for responsible people, commited, positive, respectful, enthusiast, who like to help rather then taking advantage. I don't like lazy people. Hopefully, we can share good moments together and achieve beautiful things! Together is always better!
I am mainly looking for help in the garden and building works but there are plenty of other things to do and there are many tools available here!
There is a little house where you can settle and when the farm is booked, we cook and eat there as well.
I look forward exchanging and maybe meeting in a nearby future!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I can teach French and I have knowledge about gardening, wild plants, cooking, preserving food, natural healing, etc.
I strongly believe that 1 + 1 = 3
Together, it's always better!
Help
We grow our own food divided over several gardens.
We admire trees, not so to cut them but because of the beauty they give us while still growing bigger and bigger.
From the 32 species growing in our enviroment, we have a good 25 present.
We try to recycle and trade as much as possible, and do our best to stay away from money things as much as possible.
Freedom starts with taking our own responsability in life as much as possible.
The farm is over 200 years old and we may take care over more than 30.000m²
All this requires a lot of time, work and commitment.
We are looking for people who are:
- willing to learn about farming
- able to work together and on their own.
- in a good physical and mental condition.
- prepared to stay at least 2 weeks
- rather looking for sharing a way of life than having a cheap holiday.
Tasks to be expected.
In the gardens;
- seeding, planting
- removing weeds
- harvesting
- cutting the grass
- cutting hedges
Farm life;
- repairing fences
- looking after the animals
- work on the buildings
.
We can offer a stay in full nature, organic food and a own place to live next to the farm we have a little house,
which was once the village bakery.
The village we live in has 100 inhabitants, and even during the day you can hear a pin fall...
The farm is situated next to a huge forest where wild game like wild boar, deer etc live in their habitats.
There's no industry nor mass tourism in the area.
The French Ardennes can be noticed as a forgotten part of France.
If all this sounds interesting for you, please feel free to contact us by email, with a motivated explanation why you would like to join us.
After all, it's up to us to make Mother Earth the place she deserves to be, a homeland for all her children, to live in peace, balance and respect for Life.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Dutch: IntermediateThis host offers a language exchange
I would like to keep improving my dutch and my english. I can teach French.
Accommodation
Your own room in the lttle house next to the farm.
What else ...
The forest of 4500Ha wich is close to the farm, is ideal to hike around in the silence of nature. The chance that you meet someone is quite small, apart from wildlife.
We live in a remote part of France, for anything like culture, Reims( 50km) or Charleville Mezieres( 30km) are the towns near by.
We love to go on fleamarkets on the Sunday :)
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
Space enough on the land!
Can possibly accept pets
We love animals and we have animals ourselves.
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (8)
The weather had been pretty bad but she helped me with many other things: cooking, baking cakes for tea-time breaks, cracking nuts, cleaning piles of bear's garlic,… read more
As he walks his talk. We passed a very nice time together, eager to learn, open to help with whatever what had to be done, open minded and a great heart towards life.
We feel privileged that he came to the farm as we'd many things to do.
Due to his help we'd a good apple harvest wherefrom most… read more
Thank you very very much for my wonderful first workaway experience. I enjoyed my stay and learned a lot about the farm life and myself. Thank you for the many inspirations and life changing experiences I made living with you. Working and living with you was always fun and due to the alternating tasks very teaching.
I hope… read more
Photos
Feedback
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(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
The weather had been pretty bad but she helped me with many other things: cooking, baking cakes for tea-time breaks, cracking nuts, cleaning piles of bear's garlic,… read more
As he walks his talk. We passed a very nice time together, eager to learn, open to help with whatever what had to be done, open minded and a great heart towards life.
We feel privileged that he came to the farm as we'd many things to do.
Due to his help we'd a good apple harvest wherefrom most… read more
Thank you very very much for my wonderful first workaway experience. I enjoyed my stay and learned a lot about the farm life and myself. Thank you for the many inspirations and life changing experiences I made living with you. Working and living with you was always fun and due to the alternating tasks very teaching.
I hope… read more
Coming from town life Milano, she just skidded into country life step by step.
Looking after the animals each morning, and struggling with life when she found one dead one day.
That's how farm life is, men works with nature, so with life and death.
Diana went along Ok with all this.
Doin' the… read more
I learnt so many things working in the garden, with animals, with the wood and in the kitchen (cooking and preparing food for the winter).
I also learnt a lot… read more
We've spent a wonderfull time with him.
Why? Well, he's open to learn, and is not scared to share his own ideas with you if you explain something whiwh has to be done.
So, a win-win situation.
To my point of view, people as Thomas are the people from tomorrow, the ones which… read more
He's easy going, good company to share time with.
The things you ask him, are done with all the efforts, compassion, love and knowledge he has
Compassion and Patience were the first two words I read on a notice he left on the same keybord I'm writing this feedback with at this moment.
I hope he'll come… read more
We had a wonderfull time with Vanessa as well, really connected with everything around her, and taking care about all.
If I'd to drink the amount of beers compared to her smiles, I would be drunk for life....
An Ace,
Stay Human baby.
Joseph & Christelle.
