Turning our mountain golf course into a food forest, according to Permaculture principles in Stranda, Norway

Details

• 

  Description

  We are a family of three; Stein, Sindre Luca and Hege Kristin. We currently live in a very traditional Norwegian house, dated 1901. The house and property of 885 acres is the family heritage of Stein. We have lived and worked here since 2015.
  
  Our little family always have many projects going on and we are used to have many visitors from all over the world staying with us. In 2022 we will be building a new private home at the property and our home from 1901 will continue to undergo smaller renovations. We are at the beginning of remodelling parts of the old barn which will be one of three step towards turning our property into sustainable living, after Permaculture principles.
  
  Our farm, no longer holds animals, but is functioning today as a storehouse for golf course machinery. However, we do have three pet goats on the farm; Silke, Snowy and Nessie. They provide our Permaculture project with manure and help with forest management. They also join us when we hike the mountains. We also wish to have a cat, dog, chickens and bees within a couple of years.
  
  Our home is located 15 min drive from the centre of Stranda where you may find a hotel, a few handy shops, two coffee shops, two restaurants and a popular mountain guide service. We are located in the midst of the Alps of our region and close to the Geirangerfjord which is a UNESCO heritage listed area. A popular part of our country to visit if you enjoy nature life: mountaineering, off pist powder skiing, fishing and kayaking!

• 

  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house
• 

  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Staying with us you will be introduced to the establishment of Permacultural principles on our farm, we will share of our knowledge.
  When we have a group of participants you will enjoy a cultural team work experience.
  Your skills are welcome and we hope you will share your know-how.
  Host is a trained terapist and has worked one-on-one and with groups over the last 15 years.
  Host is also in the process of writing a diploma in Permaculture that streches over a 3 years periode.
  Host is undergoing regenerative leadership training with Laura Storm
  You will have short access to our beautiful fjords and mountains!
  We are used to welcoming people from all of the world for the last decade and we see that could be beneficial.
  You will be introduced to our traditional house dated 1901.

• 

  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

• 

  Help

  We have been a host on workaway for two years now and looking forward to more lovely and exciting encounters in 2024!
  
  We are opening up our home for a cultural exchange and co-living with us in our Eco-project. We have full focus on being outdoors and taking steps towards making our Eco-project happening. We would love for you to join us in this process!
  
  This project in the planning is not commercial but a private initiative on the farm. It is an invitation to be part of an extended family, communal approach. Our other jobs are running the golf course (one firm) and running a guest house (another firm) but our work away guests will not take part in these kind of related activities. When we welcome work away guests in the periode April/May 2024 we will have a reduced amount of paid guests staying with us.
  
  YOUR initiative is welcomed! Perhaps you have Eco related knowledge/skills that you would like to share with us? Here are some examples of tasks you may help out with:
  Smaller forest management tasks
  Wood chopping and -stacking
  Harvesting birch leaves for our goats winter supply
  Harvesting gras for our goats
  Foraging in June and making pestos
  Preparing vegetable gardens
  Sow seeds and plants
  Maintaining garden
  Manure management
  Planting trees
  Building fences
  Building a chicken coop
  
  Smaller paint tasks inside and outside the house
  
  For the months of May and June we may also consider hosting a family, with children around the same age as our son. We will be looking for someone with common interest and knowledge of Permacultural principles.
  
  We also consider it natural that we take turns in preparing meals and and that we help each other keep the common areas, such as kitchen, bathrooms, living room areas and entrance, clean at all times.

• 

  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  French: Intermediate
  German: Beginner
  Japanese: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  Hege Kristin will be happy to have the opportunity to practise French and Japanese Sindre Luca is happy to speak Norwegian and English Stein speaks well English and knows some German too
• 

  Accommodation

  You will be given a private room (unless you are travelling with a friend or partner), have access to bathroom and kitchen on the second floor in the house farm from 1901. (Or park outside on the property with your camper van).
  
  Our family now live in a private house, right next door to the guest house. Up until the end of last year (2023) we have shared our home with our guests. You will notice that it is still quite natural for us to come and go in the guestshouse as if we still live there. That means we some nights might sleep there and some nights in the new house. You will be considered part of the family and will be invited over to the new house for dinner or movie nights when we cook there.
  
  We love having several workawayers staying at the same time to enhance a great group dynamic and team work experience! So you may have to share the space with other workaway participants too if we are blessed with great demand. Maximum participants at any given time is 10 people.
  
  We prefer that we eat meals together. However, you will have access to prepare your own food too in our guest kitchen. The guest house was built in 1901 and has a rustique feel to it. We are trying to keep it as authentic as possible. However, bathrooms with showers are modern and we also have fireplaces and modern heating. We do not have TV, but WIFI and CD/Radio player. It is great if you enjoy rustic!

• 

  What else ...

  We are located in the midst of all top attractions of our area! Within less than an hour your may reach the pittoresk city Aalesund, Trollstigen, Geiranerfjord and our Sunnmoere ALPS. Kayaking is great here. The fjords are often cold for swimming but perhaps a fresh and courageous challenge? Several hiking trails are in immediate reach for both beginners and advanced hikers. Fishing from shore and in our rivers/lakes.
  
  We recommend that you have driving licence and insurance. You may arrive to and from with public transport but it sure is more convenient to get around when you have your own car.
  
  We are usually not afraid to cater for special diets, but needs to be addressed before arrival.
  
  For all of our participants we make a short whatsapp call in order for you to be able to introduce yourself
  
  We prefer 4-8 weeks stay. We also open up for a 6 months/12 months stay for a participant motivated to explore and dive into the permaculture project with us and who are interested in contributing with developing hens own project that will be beneficial for more people visiting or staying with us. Send us a motivation letter and we will be happy to discuss the options and the opportunity.
  
  Your deepfelt interest in eco co-living will be greatly appreiciated!

• 

  A little more information

  • 

    Internet access

  • 

    Limited internet access

  • 

    We have pets

  • 

    We are smokers

  • 

    Can host families

• 

  Space for parking camper vans

  We have a large parking lot which is suitable for parking campervans during your stay with us. We are able to provide access to toilet and showers in the main house.

• 

  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

• 

  Hours expected

  Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Feedback (6)