Help us create a sustainable life off grid in southern Catalonia, Spain

  • Favourited 36 times
  • Last activity: 10 Mar 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: No minimum

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    We are a couple living in southern Catalonia on a 7 acre farm, half an hour from the coast, next to the river Ebro and close to the mountains. The farm in 2.4 km from Ginestar, a lovely little village with some small shops and bars. We are interested in moving the farm towards more regenerative agricultural practices and make it function as off grid as we can. We have been here for nearly 2 years, so are in the process of getting infrastructure up and running. The farm has flat peaches, apricots, olives and pine trees, Our aim is to diversify and add more and more species that work well together, the beginning of a food forest. So far we have planted 60 or so trees, made a veg garden that is providing some of our food. We are a happy couple (Jeff 44, Ati 35) outgoing, love good food, drinks and music, without kids and no animals yet, but we´d like some ducks, chickens and maybe a couple of donkeys! There is a great social network of off grid people around the area. I (Jeff) am interested in farming and building type projects. My partner is into establishing a tree nursery, growing medicinal herbs and perennial flowers.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Farmstay help
    General Maintenance
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    We are happy to share everything we have learned and love about the farm and the area. During the past 2 years we have been on a steep learning curve, and continue to learn about solar energy, water management, soil regeneration and we´d enjoy sharing other peoples experiences about these practices. We are interested in permaculture and its roots, regenerative practices. We are from Scotland and Iran, with different life experiences. We speak Farsi, English, Finnish, Spanish and a bit of German. There are great local walks, the area has a lot to offer in terms of scenery and wildlife.

  • Help

    Help

    We would love to have someone with experience of working on fruit trees, or willing to learn. Peach and apricot trees are pruned in the winter, blossoms thinned out in the spring and harvested in June (apricots) and August (peaches). At some times of year when the trees need less attention there are building projects such as outdoor kitchen, shower and compost toilet that can be done. The work is generally pretty physical, so we appreciate volunteers that can deal with being off grid-ish and fairly basic. If you have experience with strimmer's and agricultural tools that´s great. Generally the work would be 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week.

  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent
    Spanish: Fluent
    Persian (Farsi): Fluent
    Finnish: Intermediate
    German: Beginner

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    We offer accommodation in a large caravan, it has 2 bedrooms so might be shared with other volunteers or visitors. The caravan is plumbed in and has a kitchen and bathroom with shower. In the cold season there is a heater to heat the caravan. There is also plenty of space for camping or vehicles, weather permitting. We use our phones for internet. A warm meal will be provided on working days and the accommodation will have supplies for you to make your other meals, you can help yourself to the garden too.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    The village is situated close to a small town called Mora la Nova which has a train station, from there you can get to Barcelona in 2.5 hours for 12 euros for example. There are a couple of local busses a day that can take you to the local bigger towns. Reus airport is the closest, 45 mins by car. The river Ebro is close by, great for kayaking, fishing and bird watching. There are great beaches, just half an hour away by car.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    There is space for vans and caravans to park at our farm.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Host ref number: 255941513287

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Accuracy of profile: (5.0)

Cultural exchange: (5.0)

Communication: (5.0)