Sweden
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There was a small community that was founded here in the deep parts of the Västgötska forests in 1783. It consisted of four families and 24 people in the beginning, who had four or more houses. By the 1900s there is said to have lived about 50 people spread into 9 households. They lived far from the cities and towns and probably made much of what they needed on the farms. They kept 5 cattle, 1 horse and 6-7 sheep at our farm alone.
My name is Jonathan. Me and my fiancée Lisa along with our newborn daughter live here in the old house that once was part of the old community. I have lived here for three and a half years and my fiancé for two. Our ambition is to re-settle this land and revive what was once a bustling and thriving self-sufficient community.
The house that we live in is one of the few left from the old community that is still intact. It has running hot and cold water from own well, shower/bathtub, washing machine, toilet, electricity, four wood-heating stoves and three extra beds.
We have a low-technology mindset where we aim to limit the use of modern machinery, partly because we don't want to be reliant on industry and bought fuel, but also because we think it is a very important part of our heritage to learn the crafts and skills that are needed to live off the land. Modern technology has killed so much of the skill and craftsmanship that was once commonplace, we want to take it back. But we are also practical, chainsaws, refigerators, cars and computers help us reach our goals much faster than just axes and rope. We use technology but we try to learn crafts that enable us not be too reliant on it.
We are in the starting phase of our journey towards self-sufficiency. We have six goats, ten chickens, some fruit trees and a small garden. We own a bit of forest and do a lot of work with timber. I also hunt and get some meat from that as well.
We are looking for people with a similar mindset who want to join in this movement and help bring life back to these wild forests, like they were over a hundred years ago. Preferably people who are knowledgeable and experienced in permaculture, food-preservation, cooking, farming, carpentry/construction(old methods in particular), use of axe and saw, animal husbandry, tanning of hides, curing of meat etc.
As of now the project we are in most need of workawayers is the construction of a log cottage to house volunteers or guests. We are also in need of establishing larger vegetable gardens and fencing in larger areas for our goats. Also firewood needs to be harvested from the forest. These are the main areas that we are looking for help with, but we also would have good use of volunteers to help with daily chores as cooking, doing dishes, animal care, chopping firewood, gardening and general help.
The area we live in is deep in the wild forest and has many lakes nearby to swim in. Berries and mushrooms are in abundance as well as wild animals. Many good hiking opportunities. We live about an hour away from Swedens next largest city Gothenburg.
Gardening
Building
Cooking / shopping
Farmstay
Help in the house
Animal care
Here travellers can experience a live closer to what was normal in the countryside of Sweden before much of the modern machinery took over agriculture and construction and the skills associated with that lifestyle.
Establishing vegetable gardens, construction and timber work, Fencing for animals, animal care, cooking, doing dishes, chopping firewood, and general help.
Swedish, English
Beds in the attic
The area has many lakes and great forests. Fishing and hiking will be possible
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Two
4-5 hours, 5 days a week, with 2 days off
