A man stands in a dirt field, holding a rake, with a lush green landscape and trees in the background under a cloudy sky.
The image is a comic strip featuring a boy and girl exploring a forest, encountering various creatures, and forming a bond with a chameleon named Buddy.
The image depicts a plate of food on a black glass cooktop, featuring four slices of toast with peanut butter and banana, two carrot sticks, and a glass of orange juice.
The image shows a wooden structure with a roof and walls, featuring a large open space and a smaller enclosed area, likely a house or barn. The structure is surrounded by a yard or field.
The image depicts a yard with a large, open area featuring a dirt patch, likely a garden or yard, with a few trees and bushes scattered throughout. The yard is surrounded by a fence.
The image depicts a page from a report on the Southern Rice Lagoons, featuring aerial views of the area and a detailed description of the project\'s goals and objectives.
The image showcases an abstract painting featuring vibrant colors, including blue, orange, black, and white, with flowing patterns that evoke a sense of dynamic movement and energy.
The image depicts a tall plant with large green leaves and a thick stem, growing in a grassy area with trees and bushes in the background.
A hand gently touches a large green leaf on a plant with a brown trunk, set against a backdrop of lush grass.
The image depicts a lush green plant with large leaves, surrounded by grass and other vegetation, set against a bright and overcast sky.
The image depicts a small bedroom with a single bed, a wooden cabinet, and a hallway leading to another room, featuring a red accent wall and a tiled floor.
The image depicts a compact bathroom with white tiles, a toilet, shower, sink, and mirror, featuring a red rug on the floor and a wooden door to the left.
The image depicts a small plant with bright green leaves growing in a grassy field, surrounded by other plants and weeds, with a dirt path on the right side.
The image depicts a large black wok containing a vibrant mix of vegetables, including beets, carrots, onions, and herbs, with a sprinkle of yellow spice on top.

Learn about permaculture in Lower Saxony, Germany

Profile information

  • rating

    Host rating

    80 %

  • Last replied

    Last replied

    7 Aug 2025

  • feedbacks

    Feedback

    7

  • Email verified

    Email verified

Country info

If you are not an EU Citizen and planning to visit Germany to volunteer, work or study you will need the correct visa. To find out more information please contact the embassy in your home country before travelling.

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Availability

  2026 

 Min stay requested: 1 week or less

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    Introduction:

    Hello, I’m Ken, an American expatriate and Environmental Engineer fluent in both English and German. For the past 20 years, I’ve been living and working in Germany, where I’ve developed a deep interest in permaculture and off-grid infrastructure planning. I am working actively on RainWater Treatment Planning for a large university in Africa, and also a 300 person Commune i n the Phillipines. I am president of an American Foundation that publishes academic work as part of our ongoing engineering and charitable activities.

    The garden:

    At my garden in Lower Saxony, I’ve transformed a former grazing field into a thriving, vegan, Paulownia-filled forest. The garden serves as a prototype for the Garden of Eden model—demonstrating the abundant wealth that can arise when we allow land to naturalize under responsible stewardship.

    I am deeply committed to planting and nurturing a diverse range of trees, as they offer solutions to many ecological challenges, including promoting rainfall, storing moisture, and providing food. Through this garden, I aim to showcase how a vibrant and successful permaculture agroforestry project can take root.

    Above all, I believe that love and respect for all species is key to effective stewardship. Each organism contributes to a self-balancing system in which humans, as stewards, play a critical role. While we can derive benefits from the land, our ultimate responsibility is to enhance soil health and habitat value. This is the essence of the garden.

    Tree Propagation:

    I’m particularly focused on growing a wide variety of fruit and nut trees on this small piece of land. Currently, I have several varieties of apples, plums, and pears, as well as three types of Naschi Birnent (Asian pears). Over the years, I’ve planted hundreds of trees, including beech, ash, alder, Paulownia, and maple. They’re growing well, and some will even be used to craft didgeridoos next year. Don’t worry—Paulownia trees regenerate quickly and are ideal for such uses.

    In addition to these, I’ve planted elms, more ash trees, and berries, along with various herbs. The potential for expansion is vast, and the project continues to evolve, attracting more wildlife and creating a richer ecosystem. Witnessing this continuous growth is truly a joy.

    Biological Water Treatment of Captured Rainwater:

    My current focus is on achieving water infrastructure autonomy. I’m in the process of building a biological filtration system that uses rainwater to produce potable drinking water, with phytoremediation integrated into the process. The goal is to demonstrate how a small community can transform a plot of land into a biodiverse habitat while maintaining clean water through a closed-loop filtration system.

    There’s still a lot of work to be done, but we’ve made significant progress. Our rain capture system can recharge up to 300,000 liters of water annually, and we’ve constructed three ponds so far, with plans for more. My medium-term goal is to create a constructed wetlands food forest, enhancing both the ecosystem and water management system.

    Invitation to Collaborate:

    Would you like to help me build this Garden of Eden prototype? I’m preparing an academic journal on this important off-grid infrastructure project, and I would be happy to credit your contributions. Together, we can demonstrate how intelligent water management is the cornerstone of successful permaculture. Let’s build ponds and grow trees!

    Additional Information:

    I am vegan, and I kindly ask that no meat or animal products be brought into the kitchen. I’d be happy to share some delicious curry or daal with you! The kitchen is spacious, and I even have a wood oven for winter cooking.

    There are excellent hiking and biking opportunities here in Weserbergland. The nearest city, Hameln—famous for its Pied Piper legend—is only a 12-minute drive or train ride away. If needed, I can pick you up from the Hessisch Oldendorf train station.

    Best regards,
    Ken

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Art Projects
    Help with Eco Projects
    Light gardening
    Creative DIY projects
    Farmstay help
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Light maintenance
  • Interests

    Interests

    Cooking & food
    Sustainability
    Vegetarian or vegan
    Writing
    Plant care
    Gardening
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    Icon

    ...

    ...

    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

    I have lots of German friends. They are likely to pop in any time. If you want to, we can visit Hameln nearby .. most weekends there is something going on! I will be happy to expose you to some healthy and animal friendly vegan food.

    More importantly.. lets study together how to work with rain water for autonomy. Thus is an important part of permaculture… slowing down the water, and making use of it.

  • Help

    Help

    I would like folks to visit that want to help plant trees, do water filtration, garden maintenance is really helpful. A few hours a day is great! Low stress.

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    German: Fluent
    English: Fluent

    This host offers a language exchange
    I speak english and German fluently. I will be happy to speak either or both with you.

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    I have a few guest rooms. See the pictures. Bed available.. bathroom. We will share the kitchen and living rooms. Sleep in a tent if you like, alternatively.

  • 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

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    I have internet and a couch. A few extra tables are around.. and you can have a space for working.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    Parking place. No septic connections. Can provide electric.

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    One dog is fine if they are behaved.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    Two

  • My animals / pets

    My animals / pets

Host ref number: 312962119674

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Photos

The image is a comic strip featuring a boy and girl exploring a forest, encountering various creatures, and forming a bond with a chameleon named Buddy.
The image depicts a plate of food on a black glass cooktop, featuring four slices of toast with peanut butter and banana, two carrot sticks, and a glass of orange juice.
The image shows a wooden structure with a roof and walls, featuring a large open space and a smaller enclosed area, likely a house or barn. The structure is surrounded by a yard or field.
The image depicts a yard with a large, open area featuring a dirt patch, likely a garden or yard, with a few trees and bushes scattered throughout. The yard is surrounded by a fence.
The image depicts a page from a report on the Southern Rice Lagoons, featuring aerial views of the area and a detailed description of the project\'s goals and objectives.
The image showcases an abstract painting featuring vibrant colors, including blue, orange, black, and white, with flowing patterns that evoke a sense of dynamic movement and energy.
The image depicts a tall plant with large green leaves and a thick stem, growing in a grassy area with trees and bushes in the background.
A hand gently touches a large green leaf on a plant with a brown trunk, set against a backdrop of lush grass.
Show all photos
The image depicts a lush green plant with large leaves, surrounded by grass and other vegetation, set against a bright and overcast sky.
The image depicts a small bedroom with a single bed, a wooden cabinet, and a hallway leading to another room, featuring a red accent wall and a tiled floor.
The image depicts a compact bathroom with white tiles, a toilet, shower, sink, and mirror, featuring a red rug on the floor and a wooden door to the left.
A man stands in a dirt field, holding a rake, with a lush green landscape and trees in the background under a cloudy sky.
The image depicts a small plant with bright green leaves growing in a grassy field, surrounded by other plants and weeds, with a dirt path on the right side.
The image depicts a large black wok containing a vibrant mix of vegetables, including beets, carrots, onions, and herbs, with a sprinkle of yellow spice on top.

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