Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
30 Mar 2024
Reply rate
88.9 %
Usually responds within 9 days
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Details
Description
We are Sumi and Kagan, and we have an 8 year old son Hayyan, and we are looking for help on our 1 hectare farm restoration project. We have an ancient olive grove with approximately 40 olive trees of different varieties, which we harvest in November-December. We also have 20-30 neglected citrus trees which need a lot of care to regenerate. We use a method of flood irrigation using ‘Acequia’ channels originating from the farming methods of the Moors in Al-Andalus. We also have almonds, fig, pomegranate, quince, mulberry, pear, plum, walnut trees and grape vines, and a newly planted herb garden.
After restoring some of the irrigation channels and installing some drip irrigation we have plans to plant a syntropic inspired food forest; keep chickens; sheep and build a large pond for biodiversity and just because we have a big hole in the land that’s needs a purpose, LOL. We are also aiming to create a multipurpose event space in the land with power, kitchen, seating and shade area.
We are a Turkish -English couple with family connections in London, Wales and Istanbul.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We have chosen this lifestyle in an attempt to become more spiritually connected through a deeper connection with the earth but we are certainly not professionals and we have a lot to learn too. Staying with us there are opportunities for mutual exchange to explore about living more sustainably, regenerative agriculture and permaculture. Sumi used to work as a university academic and is also on the governing board of a small alternative primary school in Orgiva so is interested to talk about all things education and Kagan is a proud Turk so there is much to learn about Turkiye also (whether you want to or not, LOL).
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
There are two options for working at our farmstay. Working on the land, or working in the home.
Land tasks include digging acequia channels, simple tree pruning, weeding, mowing, watering, making compost, preparing firewood, small building or carpentry projects like building a chicken coop, general maintenance. We try to give a choice of jobs and vary manual Labour with some opportunities to learn new skills and knowledge. In summer it is incredibly hot so we reduce working ours and switch to early morning labouring and late evening watering, with a daytime meal, a long siesta during the day and plenty of time to swim.
Alternatively, if you prefer and it suits you, it is possible to take on the cooking and child care, and then Sumi is freed up help on the land.
We look for people who can work independently and show initiative. We trust our volunteers to be responsible for their tasks and keep track of their own hours. We also want to provide opportunities to learn and share skills and knowledge so we want to build in time for that.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Turkish: Intermediate
Spanish: Beginner
French: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
We provide a caravan, with two double bed sleeping ends, so would suit a couple, a family, two friends or two sharers. We also have a tent with airbed if there are more than 2 volunteers, or if you prefer not to share for sleeping. The caravan is well equipped with hot and cold water, a fan, a gas cooker, microwave and CD player.
There is also a hot shower and compost toilet on the land not too far from the caravan.
There is Wi-Fi access at our house for occasional use. So really this suits those who want to ‘unplug’ during this trip.
We have a proper swimming pool which you are welcome to use in designated hours.
We ask for 5 hours a day with breakfast stuff provided and 1 main meal. 5 days a week. Or 3 hours a day and fend for yourself for meals. Our cooking is typically traditional Turkish including meat but we can also cook simple vegetarian and vegan meals.
What else ...
We are a 20 minute walk to Orgiva, so you can easily stay with us without a car and walk to the shops or markets and cafes and restaurants. Orgiva is a small but multicultural town in the Alpujarra mountains about 50 minutes drive or bus from Granada.
The town has a nice vibe with a weekly vegetable market, craft market, some lovely boutique shops, and some nice hangouts including a Moroccan cafe, a nice daytime hangout and a delicious falafel bar with music in the evenings. There are often weekend markets, parties and festivals in rural communities around Orgiva.
Our farm is alcohol free and drug free. Children are welcome, and we can adapt volunteer hours for couples to suit childcare arrangements, but we point out that there are no boundary fences to our farm. We like to share meals and some social time but we like private time also. Aswell as the caravan for volunteers there is also a yurt available to rent for holidays.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
If you need it we can make a space in the office for you.
Space for parking camper vans
We have had a 7 metre long HGV campervan access our land.
Can possibly accept pets
We have kittens so friendly dogs would be considered.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (2)
We planned to stay for two weeks that turned into three 😊 Sumi was very clear in pre-stay correspondence which I valued a lot as… read more
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We planned to stay for two weeks that turned into three 😊 Sumi was very clear in pre-stay correspondence which I valued a lot as… read more
