Help on an Alpaca farm in Riegersburg, Austria

Austria

Favourited 462 times

Host rating
Feedback
21
Last activity
26/09/2021
Nº of Facebook friends
756
Reply rate
100.0 %
Average reply time:
within 3 days
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Availability

2021

Min stay requested: at least 3 weeks

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What's this?

Details

Description
Hi, my name is Philip. I'm an Englishman living in Austria. I have a smallholding in the south east of Styria. I breed alpacas and do trekking with them. I also rent rooms in the house and have a small farm shop.

In the winter months, until around April, I just need someone for a week each month to help me keep the house clean and with occasional work with the animals.
In the summer, from around April I am looking for a couple to stay for a longer period, at least a month would be nice, to help clean the rooms when guests leave, keep the garden under control, help cleaning out the animals and with the trekking and generally just help me with jobs that are easier with more than one person. One person should enjoy more housework whilst the other should be handy with tools and making/repairing things. I also have 2 dogs who can be quite a handful as they are all rescues. Being confident around dogs is important, and this also means I cannot host people travelling with dogs of their own. Groceries are provided but you have to cook for yourselves.

Looking forward to hearing from you!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainablity goals this host is trying to achieve
...
...
What's this?
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
The house is just around the corner from the beautiful castle of Riegersburg and the area is famous for it's apple tree and elderflower orchards and rolling hills. Check the local website for other local attractions. There is also the famous Austrian chocolate factory Zotter close by and the city of Graz is a 50 min drive. My neighbours include a cheese maker, schnapps maker and sparkling wine makers. There's not much in the way of public transport, the closest train station is Feldbach/Raab.
Help
Hi, I'm looking for people to help around the farm. I need someone strong who isn't afraid to be hands on with the animals, sometimes I need to weigh the animals or do some alpaca toe nail cutting for example, you need to be strong and confident enough to hold the animal still while I cut the nails. Apart from that I need help cleaning the house and working outside keeping the grounds under control, trimming apple trees putting up fencing.
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Accommodation
A large guest room with double bed and TV
What else ...
nearby is a castle, chocolate factory, lots of country walks, champagne tasting, cheese tasting and a swimming lake. Public transport is not good.
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
- Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Photos

Casper

Riegersburg Castle

Show all photos

The boys!

The beautiful Rivaldo

Blacky, not an Alpaca!

Tru Santos, my first stud!

Sunrise in Styria

Feedback left by and about host (21)

25/02/2020

Left by Workawayer (Schoneich) for host

My experience helping Philip was just wonderful ! I spent 1 week at his place and I had a really great time. The work was clear and there was always something to do, from picking up poop to spy on the chickens because one would always get out and we couldn’t figure out from where haha. After the work was done I was free to do what I wanted. He… read more

(Excellent )

20/05/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Johannes)

Johannes was a great worker and a pleasure to host. He helped me with many tasks around the farm. He was always cheerful and good at taking the initiative and helping me solve problems. I would be very happy if he returned to help again sometime.

(Excellent )

10/12/2018

Left by Workawayer (Johannes) for host

Just wanted to express my pleasure and happyness for my 2 weeks in your place. I wish it had been longer. Philip wants to create a beautiful place for animals and people alike. He gives you personal space if you want it and finds work that's suited for you. If you want to create something and be creative this is the place, as Philip is very open… read more

(Excellent )

26/03/2019

Left by Workawayer (Malcolm) for host

I stayed with Philip for 2 week, and had a great time. We did a lot of work with the Alpacas which was great, along with other random tasks around the farm like working on the garden. I loved working with his animals, and we even got to go to an alpaca show. I would highly recommend staying with Philip if you have the opportunity.

(Excellent )

05/03/2019

Left by Workawayer (Cassie & Damon) for host

You can really see the love and dedication Philip has put into his farm in the past few years. It was lovely to see someone who cares for every aspect of the animals well being. He really knows his stuff and will happily explain it to you. The accommodation is a large, very comfortable room with a lovely view. The work is with the animals and bits… read more

(Excellent )

27/02/2019

Left by Workawayer (Denisa & Marie) for host

It was an amazing experience! I would recommend it to all of you to come to Philips farm!! Hope to see you soon and say hi to all of your alpacas, dogs and geese.

(Excellent )

11/02/2019

Left by Workawayer (Dominik) for host

A great first workaway experience. It felt like home and Philip was very friendly and easy going!
The amount of work was fair and working with alpacas makes it enjoyable. I was given my own private bedroom with a very comfy bed! Philip is also a good cook!
I would definitely recommend him to other workawayers and don't forget to check the nearby… read more

(Excellent )

11/01/2019

Left by Workawayer (Julian) for host

I very much enjoyed my stay on the farm with Philip and the Alpacas, the work was varied and included a good balance of everyday tasks around the farm with one off projects that focussed on particular skills and strengths. The alpaca were endlessly facinating and Philip offered plenty of insight into their care and management for which as a… read more

(Excellent )

31/08/2018

Left by Workawayer (Jana & Lukáš) for host

We have stayed with Philip for (only) 2 weeks and it was my and my boyfriends first Workaway experience. Before we came we were a bit unsure what will be happening but we must admit that we both found these days as one of the best parts of our traveling and we wished the time was longer.
Philip is an awesome really nice guy and it was a pleasure… read more

(Excellent )

17/07/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Kia)

Kia and Cillian were a huge help. Both are very capable and good at taking the initiative. They are both very easy going and are very welcome to come back any time.

(Excellent )

31/05/2018

Left by Workawayer (Kia) for host

My Boyfriend and I stayed with Philip for ten days and had a great time :blush:
We cleared an area which is now the new training field, built a yurt, moved a bus and did some tasks with the alpacas : cleaning the stalls every morning, weighing them, helping with toenail trimming etc
Philip is a great vegetarian cook and was very good to us driving… read more

(Excellent )

29/03/2018

Left by Workawayer (Natalie) for host

I just stayed three great weeks with Philip. I got to know the daily routine with the alpacas, helped look over a new born baby alpaca, take care of the two sweet dogs and welcome a group of geese and ducks to the farm. Philip is very easy going when it comes to daily tasks, he is very happy to have a second set of hands to help around the house,… read more

(Excellent )

21/09/2017

Left by Workawayer (Maryna) for host

I spent two weeks with Philip and I had a great time there, everything was very interesting!

(Excellent )

06/08/2017

Left by Workawayer (Kara & Tyler) for host

We stayed with Philip for only a week and a half, and it was not enough! This was our first workaway experience, and we felt instantly welcomed and comfortable in his home. We found Philip to be extremely easygoing, friendly, and enthusiastic. We had a fantastic time tending to the alpacas and helping out around the property, weeding, organizing,… read more

(Excellent )

06/06/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Daniela)

(No show)

08/05/2017

Left by Workawayer (Michael & Barbara) for host

We are travelling through Europe in 2017, starting at Philips. It was a great beginning in snowy Riegersburg. Philip is totally sympathic and uncomplicated. He told us about the work and we decided what to do when and how. We, for example, built a kitchen shelf and it was really nice to know that there is something we did. We also did some more… read more

(Excellent )

20/12/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Vanda & Krisztian)

Krisztian and Vanda are amazing! They helped me more than ever imagined. They fitted a kitchen, made new door frames, redesigned the terraces in my vegetable garden and so much more. Fitting new taps and fixing all kinds of things. They even cooked hungarian food for me sometimes and helped with training the alpacas to walk on the lead. I would… read more

(Excellent )

01/12/2016

Left by Workawayer (Vanda & Krisztian) for host

We spent almost 6 weeks at Philip's farm, and time flies when you are having fun! We were really sorry when we had to leave, felt like we could stay for months. Philip is a wonderful host and took great care of us. We had various tasks (woodwork, gardening, animals, etc), so it was never boring. The area is beautiful, and there are plenty of… read more

(Excellent )

24/09/2016

Left by Workawayer (Yixi ) for host

I spent two weeks on Philip's alpacas farm. During the period, Philip provided me good accommodation and food. My task mainly include gardening and animal care. I learned a lot about livestock breeding of alpacas as well as western culture. Philip was very patient to answer my endless questions. When we don't work, he also brought me to some… read more

(Excellent )

06/09/2016

Left by Workawayer (Trenton) for host

I stayed for one month with Philip at Cria Valley Alpacas - and what a month it’s been! The farm is about in a small valley near Riegersburg, Austria. Being away from a city means it’s perfect for taking some time off from a crazy cities and hostels; plus there are animals to relax around. I stayed in a large room with a balcony overlooking the… read more

(Excellent )

05/09/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Trenton)

Trenton is a great guy, very easy to live with and very capable at any jobs asked of him. We originally planned staying for a week or two and he ended up staying for 5. He fixed things, made things, helped me plan things and taught me things. I would recommend him to anyone and would welcome him back any time.

(Excellent )

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