Small, organic off-grid farm experience in scenic Klein Karoo, South Africa

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    We are a husband and wife team living our dream on our small organic off-the-grid farm in the scenic Klein Karoo region of the Western Cape Province, South Africa. One hectare is cultivated, surrounded by natural areas, open spaces with hills, valleys and distant mountain ranges. There is wildlife in the area, including many different bird species.

    We developed this former derelict farm from scratch, initially doing all the work ourselves. We are mostly self sufficient, eating from the variety of fruit, vegetables, herbs, and nuts we grow on the farm. We also keep honeybees and free range chickens and plan to have sheep in the future.

    Together with other local organic farmers we have hosted two well attended weekends to promote sustainable living. Apart from organic farming, our interests include processing our farm produce naturally, alternative energy, walking, educational documentaries, reading non-fiction, making music and art/crafts.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    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

    Travelers will benefit from an off-the-grid, organic small holding experience, learning from all the activities they are involved in and enjoying the benefits of physical activity and organic eating. Healthy meals are harvested and prepared mostly from the garden. They will also be able to learn about sustainable living, farming and alternative energy systems.

    There is an enclosed equipped rustic kitchen with a crushed stone floor, three plate gas cooker, wood burning stove, barbeque facilities and firewood. A coolbox will be provided with ice bricks. You may use our deepfreeze and washing machine on request.

  • Help

    Help

    Fit and healthy nature loving non-smokers who enjoy manual farm labour (some of it physically challenging, especially for men) and are interested in organic farming/gardening. Couples welcome (man to do the heavier work - woman the lighter work) Tasks will involve a mix of working alone or with us.

    Jobs include the following depending on priorities/season :

    Dig and prepare tree holes and vegetable trenches
    Planting and sowing
    Mulching
    Organic feeding of trees and vegetables
    Weeding
    Thinning of vegetable seedlings
    Irrigation
    Prune fruit trees
    Harvest and process farm produce in season
    Erect fences
    Landscaping
    General light construction/maintenance
    Eradicate invasive plants
    Bush clearing
    Preparation of fire wood
    Cleaning small dam

  • Languages spoken

    Afrikaans: Fluent
    English: Fluent

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Two luxury, permanent tents on wooden decks, each sleeping two persons with double or single beds and solar electricity. Ablution facilities consist of a flush toilet and bucket shower with hot and cold water (not en-suite).

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    Volunteers can enjoy the abundance of fresh air, peace, walks in nature, hiking in the mountains, bird watching and swimming in our small dam (in summer). We do have a small library of non-fiction books and articles on sustainable living available for Workaways to borrow to read. They can also visit the small town of Vanwyksdorp nearby (3km), with a few shops providing basic supplies as well as an interesting art/craft gallery and a restaurant and coffee shop.
    For tourist attractions in surrounding areas they would need to have transport. There is no local public transport in our area. We do provide bicycles for the use of Workaways.
    The closest large town is Riversdale (67km away) on the N2, with a daily bus service between major cities. Workaways making use of this bus service can be fetched/returned in/to Riversdale Monday - Friday. There is also a taxi service to and from Cape Town running on the R62. (33 km away, where you can be fetched.)


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  • 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

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    5 hours per day, 5 days per week

Host ref number: 361579149458

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