Norway
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UPDATE 10th SEPTEMBER 2019
we have arranged for someone to arrive next week and stay for two weeks or more into October. Please see our calendar.
We are a family of three (36-28-soon to be 2). Julie is working in equine buissness, Jens is working part time with pig production.
We live on an old family farm of 600 acres, mostly woods and some fields which are rented out to corn and grass production. The farm consists of a big barn, granery, main house, and our house which once was set up for the retired farmer and his wife. The property you will focus on is the house we are living in and the area around it.
We have a few goats, pigs, rabbits, chickens and cats, a small house which we are renovating, and huge outdoor space.
We are based in the beautiful countryside of Østfold, only an hour trainride from Oslo, and 40min drive from Sweden border.
Gardening
Building
General Maintenance
Farmstay
Help in the house
Animal care
We provide an experience with Norwegian day to day family and farmlife. You'll be a part of our family during your stay, come with us to family occasions etc if you want.
A great opportunity to learn how to renovate a yard and a house, and how to build up a homestead step by step.
You will learn A LOT about rabbits (and farmyard animals in general) as described.
We would like to welcome ONE volunteer (we have room for two during the summer months).
We're looking for an open minded, positive and handy person, wich has no trouble getting their hands dirty. You need to be good with animals and friendly with children (although there is no babysitting, but she would love to play when she gets to know you). We hunt and keep animals for food, with keeping focus on animal welfare and happy animals.
You need to clean up after yourself, dishes etc and be a part of our household as you are living here too :-) You need to bring with you clothes for all weather (and temperatures considering the season) and waterproof/warm boots (we have made a packing list)
There might be some heavy lifting, and you will work on some tasks alone (which mean you should be responsible and hands on) and some tasks together with us. Tasks will vary by weather, and is any suitable task that needs to be done.
ANIMAL EXPERIENCE
Daily tasks all year around includes feeding and watering the animals, collect eggs, collect grass and branches for animals. Mucking out when necessary (daily care of the animals takes ca 1. hr), other than that, assist with all care of the animals.
Learn about rabbit breeding and keeping rabbits for meat: gender rabbits, breeding, ear tattooing, cutting rabbit claws, general care, slaughter and prep fur (if you want, depends on season and other projects around the property). Assisting with cutting goats hooves, Jens can teach you a lot about pigs! We have piglets too! (and might be expecting kid goats during this fall).
WINTER PROJECTS/Tasks (SEPT - APRIL)
Daily tasks during the winter includes some housework (maximum 1.hr, tidy up, hoovering and cleaning, bring in firewood etc). More exciting projects for the winter is to help with indoor renovation of the house, painting, windowtrims etc, make a kids bedroom. Smaller tasks like chop wood and shovel snow when necessary, any suitable task that needs to be done.
WORKHOURS DURING WINTER
25hrs a week, mon - fri 5hrs, 8.00-13.00, leaving the weekend off. Some flexibility is necessary if there is any bigger projects that needs to be done.
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SUMMER PROJECTS/Tasks (APRIL - SEPT)
Clearing areas outside (move stuff so it looks nice, things are messy outside because of renovating for two years, and no time to clean up), plant flowers (wildlife/cottage gardendesign), weeding, in general make a friendly gardenspace safe for kids. Build/assist in building new pens/fencing and housing for animals. Outside renovation of the house (change paneling, painting etc). Chop wood.
Chickens are currently free range on the property - they eat (and poop) everywhere, they want a bigger coop outside as the one they have now is too small and in bad shape (this is why they are loose) and proper shelter before the winter (wich we have in the garage but need to convert).
WORKHOURS DURING SUMMER
Generally mon and thur afternoon and evenings 7.5 hrs, tues-wedn morning (5hrs), leaving fri-sun off, OR work on the weekends and having time off during the week, it all depends on your plans while staying here, and what we need to have done at the moment. We'll figure something out together, plan a week ahead, and make a list together every night with the tasks for the next day. 25hrs a week.
Norwegian (native), English (B1&C1)
Bathroom and showers is provided in our house. You're welcome to join us for the evening or at your spare time. Our home is your home for your time being here. We provide food, mostly shared meals (times vary). Please see description below as we have made two different sleeping areas which depends on seasons.
SEPT - APRIL
Simple sleeping arrangement inside the house - in an alcove in the upstairs hallway, mattres on the floor- with drapes for privacy.
MAY - AUGUST
Caravan on our property for sleeping/rest, placed approx 70 m from our house in a forest area, overlooking the fields. Simple conditions, gives a camping feel .
Our farm is a 10-15 min drive away from any shop - museums, music hall, cinema, restaurants, cafes and mall in small town. Horse riding, walks, golf, fishing, library, etc.
Public transport to Oslo or Sweden, and car rental 15 min drive away.
We have bike(s) available for loan
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
One
25hours pr week (SEE DESCRIPTION)
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