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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
22 Apr 2024
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Description
Do you want to start-up permaculture gardens and learn what it takes to launch such a project? Are you passionate about organic farming / permaculture, ecology and consciousness? If so, you may have a place with us this season 2024 at our straw baled eco-house in Portneuf.
We grow a large diversified garden with many vegetables and medicinal plants, we have fruit trees and bushes, 2 ponds with red fish and frogs, a dog, a cat and turkeys. Permaculture is a step beyond organic farming, not aimed at commercial production but more on developping a balanced eco-system similar to what nature would do on its own. Improving soil quality is key, learning about insects and diseases that result from an imbalance in the soil, and figuring out how to work with it.
I am a 54 years old single man living with my 16 years old adopted son, and I lived and worked overseas for 20 years in international development, mainly in asia. Since the Covid crisis, I have realised how dependent we are on the systems in place, and have chosen to develop a self sustaining model where people can come to learn. We have had 3 seasons already with a total of 53 volunteers and a total of 660 working days, which has made this ambitious project possible.
For seasons 2021-22-23, we accomplished all the landscaping, tree planting and construction work needed to form solid basis for the gardens. We built terraces on the sloped land to optimize production area, built turkey coops, sheds and plateforms for work and yoga, built a mobile greenhouse, stairways throughout the property to have easier access - all made mainly with recycled material and the efforts of volunteers. It has been an intensive and very physical first 3 seasons, but also very rewarding and creative. Some of our fruit trees have started to bear fruit (apples, plums, blueberries, raspberries, honeysuckle berries, blackberries, grapes) while others are still in their initial growth period.
For the season 2024, we plan to focus on improving the quality of production, giving the gardens more attention and focus. Daily tasks will mainly focus on taking care of the gardens and the orchards, harvesting and tranformation (jams, cider, drying of medicinal plants/flowers, preserves, etc). Permaculture is about harmony, balance and learning about how we relate to our environment. This season, we will offer meditation and yoga from 6h30 am to 8 am, and then begin the 5 hour work day in the garden. Normally, volunteers are free from 4 pm onwards, except for some help required in the kitchen for the meals. You get 2 days off per week to relax or visit Québec city.
If you come, you will learn about permaculture, meditation and yoga and leave behind your creative footprint in this ambitious project that aims to offer an alternative to the current unsustainalbe socioeconomic model which is strained beyond its limits. You will have your own bed in a closed room, and I pride myself on cooking great meals and treating each volunteer with respect and kindness.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You will learn about permaculture and how to be more self sufficient through concrete actions and tasks. This includes tending to the gardens, pest control, harvesting, transformation - drying of herbs and plants, fermenting, cidre and vinegar making, tree pruning, fruit picking, small construction works. I work in the gardens with the workawayers to make sure that it is a collaborative effort and that learning and exchange is part of the experience. Your ideas and expertise is most useful to help shape the gardens and create a harmonious space.
You will also learn and practice medication and yoga on a daily basis.
Help
If you join us, you will learn the basics of permaculture as part of the farm, meditation and yoga!
What will you do with us? Tending of the gardens, harvesting, food transformation - jams, compote, fermenting, cider making, drying of herbs and flowers, weeding, taking care of the turkeys, pest management, minor contruction tasks and more!
We enjoy cooking and eating fantastic meals, as much organic as possible, and we can catter to all diets including vegetarian, vegan or gluten free.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Accommodation
Closed bedroom with 2 beds specifically to host workawayers. I love to cook and take the main responsibility for offering great meals. All volunteers that come comment that food is amazing. I make sure to have wholesome meals using mainly organic foods, and have healthy treats, cakes, cookies and homemade chocolate ready to give an energy boost. I make my own yoghourt, jams, fresh bread daily and a mix of butter and healthy oils. I can cater to all diets including vegan and gluten-free, though we tend to eat organic meat and dairy. You are most welcome to help in the kitchen as well depending on your interests.
What else ...
The house borders the Portneuf river which has cascades that we hear from the house. It is not great for swimming but you can dip your feet and relax in the waters. We also have a yoga/relaxation plateform by the large pond, a hammac and many rest areas on the property. Portneuf is a small town near Québec city (30 min away by car) and you can go sightseeing with a local bus. There are hiking trails 10-25 km away from the house where we can on occasion drop you off for the day. Portneuf also borders the St-Lawrence river which is lovely for walking by.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can possibly accept pets
Please ask as this is a case by case situation, being that we already have a dog, a cat and hens on site.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (11)
Benoît met beaucoup d'amour et de temps dans tout ce qu'il fait, de la cuisine jusqu'aux jardins et ça se ressent. Je n'ai jamais aussi bien mangé, petite dédicace à sa croustade, la meilleure au monde !
Benoit est aussi… read more
Thank you so much for your dedication and… read more
Feedback
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Benoît met beaucoup d'amour et de temps dans tout ce qu'il fait, de la cuisine jusqu'aux jardins et ça se ressent. Je n'ai jamais aussi bien mangé, petite dédicace à sa croustade, la meilleure au monde !
Benoit est aussi… read more
Thank you so much for your dedication and… read more
Work✿ For the first 1 week, I helped build a greenhouse in the garden. I've never helped to build such a big greenhouse but he kindly let me experience… read more
J'ai beaucoup appris sur les différents principes de permaculture. Les tâches étaient variées et intéressantes : transformation, cueillette, fermentation etc. Benoit est à l'écoute et pédagogue, en plus d'être un bon cuisinier ! Je recommande ! A bientôt :)
