Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
21 Mar 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
55
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Details
Description
Our farm is situated one-hour inland from Izmir, 5 km away from the nearest town, Turgutlu (known historically as Kasaba). We used to breed sheep, however we do not keep any animals any longer. We have around 200 olive and various fruit trees in two separate fields. Our main focus has become premium quality olive oil. Olives are harvested during October-November for several weeks. In the winter and early spring, we prune our trees and prepare the fields for the next season.
The area is under constant change so volunteers should be comfortable with this farm in a mixed urban-rural setting. There is still plenty of family-based agricultural activity around. We drive to our farm daily and prefer to sleep in town, a typical inner Aegean one, which is considerable in size with all its buzz and local characteristics.
A certain level of maintenance is always required to keep the buildings intact. I can also use help with painting, small construction and restoration projects, cleaning and landscaping.Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco ProjectsGardeningDIY and building projectsFarmstay helpCreating/ Cooking family mealsHelp around the houseGeneral MaintenanceUN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Our concept revolves around olive farm experience, communal living, travel stories and exposure to local history and culture. The most unique aspect will be to see relatively simple life in a traditional mid-size agriculture-oriented Aegean town away from mass tourism and bigger cities. There are some less-known historical and nature sites like Sardis, Mount Sipylus, Lydian tombs of Bintepe worth visiting. You can always reach other well-known locations a few hours away like Ephesus or Pamukkale by bus. It is possible to go hiking around the local hills and villages. There is a decent local winemaker not far from our location open to visitors. There are also various foreign language books you can read while here. We have a projector for watching films at night. Backgammon, puzzles and card games are quite popular among visitors.
Help
You will be helping with seasonal farm work, gardening, digging, lifting, cooking, cleaning, DIY projects etc. Most of our activities are quite physical so be prepared. Any special artistic or technical skills offered by volunteers are also appreciated. People with disabilities are always welcome. This is a communal project and always open to new ideas.
Spring is here. Over the next few months, we will be weeding, pruning our trees, packing and selling our olive oil. There are also various DIY projects in the pipeline.Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Turkish: Fluent
German: 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
You will get a private room in town where we own an apartment building. The apartments are basic but adequate for most seasons. We tend to cook vegan together while offering some flexibility for non-vegans and others with dietary restrictions. Visitors can also visit various restaurants in town on their own to try other dishes. There is no unlimited broadband internet. It is recommended to get your own sim card if you need constant connection.
What else ...
Izmir is a large metropolitan city for all shopping, entertainment and transportation options. Bicycle travelers and nomads also visit us via other online platforms.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
Can possibly accept pets
This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (28)
It was my first time olive picking and I found it to be incredibly relaxing. What's more, olive harvest comes at the perfect time of the year, when it's not too hot or too cold. Dear teyze, or… read more
Feedback
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It was my first time olive picking and I found it to be incredibly relaxing. What's more, olive harvest comes at the perfect time of the year, when it's not too hot or too cold. Dear teyze, or… read more
We also had… read more
Soykan is a very humble and open minded… read more
So thank you Soykan. I felt comfortable from the beginning and he treated me as a friend rather than a workawayer. We had great conversations, I learned a lot from him and improved my English and Turkish as well :)
His Place in Turgutlu is quite and ideal for… read more
The work is fine, a little physical but not too tiring. Since we started in the morning (after a delicious breakfast), we were usually done by 2pm so we had time to relax, chat, cook,… read more
our host take us to the olive factory to see how olive oil is produce it's such a wonderful experience and also he take us to see how olive fruits to be sell...
One more new experience eating only vegetables because our host is a vegan!!
Thank you very much Soy for… read more
Soykan is an experience traveler, who has a many stories to tell. He is very kind and showed us his lovely town, he have great knowledge about Turkish history. He entertained us in the evening with stories , games, films.
That was always enough food and enough coffee and tea.
Then after a few days we were joined by 2 more volunteers so it was time to start olive picking! We'd work for… read more
Le logement est très spacieux et il y a tout le nécessaire.
Turgutlu n'est pas une ville touristique mais il est possible de se rendre à Izmir facilement. On s'y sent… read more
If you want to experience turkish life in a traditional city (you will be the only tourist there 😁) while helping in the countryside for a few hours a day, don't hesitate to go, especially now in this time of the year where he needs additional support for olive… read more
He has some great some great stories about his travels around the world by bike.
I hope to meet you again some… read more
I stayed with him for a couple of days and had a great time. We spent all day long talking, drinking turkish coffee, playing backgammon, and doing some work in the farm. He has amazing stories to tell (if you can, ask him about his bike trips around the world).
Also, he lives very close to the center of Turgutlu, and… read more
The private bedroom was very comfortable and food was delicious. There was a few days that we went sightseeing in the… read more