The image features two white goats with distinctive curved horns, standing in front of a wire fence, set against a blurred green and brown background.
The image depicts a gray house with white trim and a screened-in porch, surrounded by trees and a blue sky, with a ladder leaning against the side.
A man stands on a deck, working on the exterior of a red barn-style house, surrounded by ladders and tools, with trees visible in the background.
The image depicts a cozy bedroom with a single bed, white wooden paneling on the walls, and a red patterned rug, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
The image shows a man and woman posing for a selfie in front of a red barn on a snowy day, both making silly faces.
The image depicts a serene winter scene featuring a group of brown piglets and a large brown pig in a snowy enclosure, surrounded by trees and a wooden structure.
The image depicts a tabby cat lying on its back, with its head tilted to the left and paws raised, gazing directly at the camera.
The image depicts a group of pigs standing in a dirt enclosure, surrounded by trees and a fence, with a serene natural setting.
The image depicts a serene scene of goats in a fenced enclosure, with a white goat calf standing in front, surrounded by adult goats and a fallen tree branch.
The image depicts a serene rural landscape featuring a large field, a house, and a barn, surrounded by trees and a clear blue sky.
The image depicts a serene landscape featuring a lush green field, trees, and a blue sky with white clouds, set against a distant hillside.
The image depicts a group of five people, including a child on an adult\'s shoulders, posing for a photo in a wooded area, surrounded by buckets of berries.
Two men are painting the exterior of a house, one standing on a ladder and the other standing in the doorway. The house is red and gray.

Get close to nature in the beautiful countryside of Østfold, Norway

Profile information

  • rating

    Host rating

    80 %

  • Last replied

    Last replied

    23 May 2025

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    Feedback

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Availability

  2025 

 Min stay requested: at least 3 weeks

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What's this?

Details

  • Description

    Description

    Please read the whole profile and check our calendar to see availability before contacting us!

    - - - - - - -

    We are a family of three. Julie is working in a pre-school, while Jens is working part time, helping other farmers, and our daughter goes to the local Waldorf School.

    We are the 7th generation living on this old family farm, although the history goes even further back. We are living, and transforming the small residence on the farm, renovating it and making it our little homestead, where we keep our animals for private consumption.

    The house is over 150 years old, and we started to renovate in 2017, as the house was condemned. Our house is very small and rustic - the renovations are not finished, and the living room is obviously occupied by a little girl, Julies sewing and knitting, and Jens' tools. On the positive side - it keeps us dry and warm. The renovation is done with reused materials as far as possible - and we tend to collect anything that can have a purpose.

    We have a few goats, pigs, chickens and cats at the moment. We want to grow some vegetables, but up until now, the goats and pigs have eaten it all. In the summer and autumn, we pick berries and mushrooms in the forest and make jam. There is always a lot to keep busy.

    We are based in Norways biggest agricultural area - the beautiful countryside of Østfold (centre of central Norway),

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Farmstay help
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
  • Interests

    Interests

    Self development
    Sustainability
    Pets
    Farming
    Outdoor activities
    Writing
    History
    DIY & crafts
    Animals
  • 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

    Come and experience slow Scandinavian living and get close to nature.

    We will give you 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, and come close to the Norwegian way of life.

    One workawayer described Julie as a Victorian Housewife (young granny, who knows forgotten, basic skills)

    We do things the old fashioned way, and more basic and natural. We use a lot of maual tools, and our animals live outside the whole year. We also reuse a lot of stuff to save both money and the environment. Norway in general is huge on DIY, and you might learn something new, or get inspired.

  • Projects involving children

    Projects involving children

    This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

  • Help

    Help

    We would like to welcome ONE volenteer over age 20 who will stay for at least three weeks. We don't accept couples.

    We're looking for an open minded, self going, positive and handy person, which has no trouble getting their hands dirty.

    You can expect a rustic and simple life in the country - we're 10km away from any town or village.

    You must be friendly with children (and tolerate some tantrums, although no babysitting, but she would love to play when she gets to know you).

    You will be a part of our household - you are living here too - which means that sweeping and empty the dishwasher isn't work. You need to clean up after yourself, dishes, bathroom etc.

    We have boots and a small selection of work wear available for volunteers to borrow. You need to bring with you clothes for all weather (and temperatures considering the season).

    Some tasks is manual labor, so there is no need to go to the gym! You will help on some tasks alone (which mean you should show initiative, be responsible and hands on) and some tasks together with us. You need to be prepared to help outside in ALL kinds of weather and temperatures, as most of the tasks is outside work. Help is ANY suitable task that needs to be done.

    Contact us to get a link to a video of Jason's help routine which is on YouTube. (He did workaway with us in winter 2020)

    GENERAL MAINTENANCE
    Whole year.
    Our house is old, and any handy person would be welcome. Fixing small things that are broken, gather firewood and cut it for the winter, as our main source of heat is three fire-ovens. Putting up fences and general maintenance like fixing huts for the animals and paint the house.

    In the summer, we need help with the upkeep of the garden (rake leaves, mow lawn, weeding, some planting). There is also a great wish to have a vegetable garden at a suitable place, wich need to be set up from scratch.

    Tidying up outside (a lot of tidying up that needs to be done as it's very messy for the time being).

    HOUSE AND YARD RENOVATION
    Whole year - especially April-September
    We are in need of someone who knows how to use tools, as we need help to finish the in and outside of the house, as well as building new huts and fences for the animals. There is also a lot of painting inside and outside to be done.

    HELP IN THE HOUSE
    Whole year includes tidy up the kitchen every day (as the housewife needs to work). The cats makes a mess at night.
    September-May, tasks include a maximum if 1 hour housework (a list is already made for this and the housework is spread out through the week to lighten the burden) you may be asked to help with some housework during the summertime too, on rainy days.

    ANIMAL EXPERIENCE
    Daily tasks all year around includes feeding and watering the animals, collect grass and branches for the goats. Mucking out when necessary (daily care of the animals take max. 1. hr), other than that, assist with all care of the animals (setting up and fix fences, build new huts, assist with care of the goats and pigs) We hunt and keep animals for food - vegetarians are welcome, but you need to keep in mind that our animals will be slaughtered one day. Our animals live out the whole year, and are antibiotic free - which are satisfying and focused on animal welfare.

    YOU MUST NOT SCARED OF PIGS, CHICKENS OR GOATS! Some of our pigs are quite big (250kgs) - and the goats do have horns. You can't be allergic or afraid of cats either, as they also live in the house.

    During slaughter and hunting season, we also need help to divide and pack meat

    HELPER HOURS
    25 hours pr week, 5 days pr week 0900-1430 (this includes 30min lunchbreak),

    Days and hours are somewhat flexible, to be agreed on when you arrive.

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    Norwegian: Fluent
    German: Beginner

    This host offers a language exchange
    Julie is a c1 level English after working and living in Ireland, and can help with English. We can both teach Norwegian. Germans are much welcome.

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Shared bathroom and showers, kitchen and livingroom in the house. Also shared Laundry as electricity in Norway is crazy expensive, air dry inside or outside.

    We provide in-house meals - at least dinner is a shared meal pr day, depends on our work schedule - breakfast and lunch is usually something you have to make on your own, unless we have a day off work. Any junk or snacks etc you have to get yourself.

    We have bike(s) available, as you might be stuck in the country.

    SEPTEMBER - MAY
    Simple sleeping arrangement inside the house - in a SMALL alcove in the upstairs hallway - on the staircase landing - mattress on the floor with curtains for privacy (there is electricity)
    SEE PHOTO!

    MAY-SEPTEMBER
    Voulenteers have their own cabin across the road (no water, but possibility for electricity trough a extension cord)

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    Our farm is remote, and it is 10-15 min drive away from ANY small village/town.

    We have bike(s) available. Unfortunately, we don't have the time to drive volunteers around - please keep this in mind when writing to us, as you may be "stuck" in the country. We can sort out pick up points, but this is not to be relied up on.

    The forest is just outside our door. If you love to spend time in nature, this is your place to be. There is a lake not far with a bike, where it's possible to swim or fish (we do have some fishing equipment).

    A small town nearby has everything you need by stores, and in our nearby area you will find folkmuseums, music hall, cinema, restaurants, pool, gyms, cafes, bar/pubs, horse riding, golf, fishing, library, gocart, etc. (Aprx 40 min with the bike)

    Public transport to Oslo (1hr trainride from Askim st.), one hour by bus from Halden, Sarpsborg, Fredrikstad and Moss, and 30-40min drive from Sweden border. Car rental 15 min drive away.

    There is some old viking graves and a lot of local viking history around.

  • 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

    We have a 4G broadband with limited data, digital nomads have to follow our schedule and fit their work hours into that.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    Summer only.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    One

  • My animals / pets

    My animals / pets

Host ref number: 316478295816

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Photos

The image depicts a gray house with white trim and a screened-in porch, surrounded by trees and a blue sky, with a ladder leaning against the side.
A man stands on a deck, working on the exterior of a red barn-style house, surrounded by ladders and tools, with trees visible in the background.
The image depicts a cozy bedroom with a single bed, white wooden paneling on the walls, and a red patterned rug, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
The image shows a man and woman posing for a selfie in front of a red barn on a snowy day, both making silly faces.
The image depicts a serene winter scene featuring a group of brown piglets and a large brown pig in a snowy enclosure, surrounded by trees and a wooden structure.
The image depicts a tabby cat lying on its back, with its head tilted to the left and paws raised, gazing directly at the camera.
The image depicts a group of pigs standing in a dirt enclosure, surrounded by trees and a fence, with a serene natural setting.
The image depicts a serene scene of goats in a fenced enclosure, with a white goat calf standing in front, surrounded by adult goats and a fallen tree branch.
The image depicts a serene rural landscape featuring a large field, a house, and a barn, surrounded by trees and a clear blue sky.
The image depicts a serene landscape featuring a lush green field, trees, and a blue sky with white clouds, set against a distant hillside.
The image depicts a group of five people, including a child on an adult\'s shoulders, posing for a photo in a wooded area, surrounded by buckets of berries.
Two men are painting the exterior of a house, one standing on a ladder and the other standing in the doorway. The house is red and gray.

Feedback

These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.

Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)

Cultural exchange:
(4.9)

Communication:
(5.0)

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