Profile information
Host rating
90 %
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
42
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
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
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainablity goals this host is trying to achieve
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
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
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 ...
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.)
.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
5 hours per day, 5 days per week
Host ref number: 361579149458
Feedback (21)
22/11/2022
Left by host for Workawayer (Mathilde & Alexandre)
Alex and Mathilde were definitely a super 5 star couple in terms of work ethic and being considerate in manner. It was a pleasure to have them to stay. Alex did much of the hard work erecting protection for some peach trees involving digging pole holes, planting them and the necessary wire and net structure; with Pieter's help and guidance.… read more
(Excellent
)
21/11/2022
We stayed almost 4 weeks with Sally and Pieter and it seemed like it was only 2. Their place is wonderful and the work was amazing, we learned so much!
Sally and Pieter are very kind people and we felt like home after 4 month travelling. Don't worry about the accommodation, Sally is an excellent cooker and we also had our own place with all we… read more
Sally and Pieter are very kind people and we felt like home after 4 month travelling. Don't worry about the accommodation, Sally is an excellent cooker and we also had our own place with all we… read more
17/07/2022
Sally and Pieter are such a special couple, we are incredibly grateful for the time we shared on their beautiful little farm. We spent about 5 weeks at Klein Plasie.
From the moment we arrived, we were made to feel so at home. The tasks were varied and interesting, both Reece and I learned so much more than we had bargained for! Reece dug basins… read more
From the moment we arrived, we were made to feel so at home. The tasks were varied and interesting, both Reece and I learned so much more than we had bargained for! Reece dug basins… read more
12/11/2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Reece & Daniella )
Reece and Daniella were a pleasure to have here with us from 26 September till 30 October.
Daniella was a good communicator in all the pre-arrangements to the visit, as were they both during their stay.
They both worked hard with a willingness to learn; from Pieter's own experience and his personal files/ library. Together they pruned and… read more
Daniella was a good communicator in all the pre-arrangements to the visit, as were they both during their stay.
They both worked hard with a willingness to learn; from Pieter's own experience and his personal files/ library. Together they pruned and… read more
(Excellent
)
21/06/2022
Left by host for Workawayer (Roxanne & Grant)
Grant and Roxy are a lovely couple and only a pleasure to have hosted here for nearly10 weeks. They were enthusiastic and willing with all tasks done. Grant worked very hard making beautiful rock basins around 42 trees to keep the chickens from being destructive. He topped trees, cleaned the chicken house and helped clear the perimeter fence of… read more
(Excellent
)
Photos
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:
(4.8)
Communication:
(4.8)
22/11/2022
Left by host for Workawayer (Mathilde & Alexandre)
Alex and Mathilde were definitely a super 5 star couple in terms of work ethic and being considerate in manner. It was a pleasure to have them to stay. Alex did much of the hard work erecting protection for some peach trees involving digging pole holes, planting them and the necessary wire and net structure; with Pieter's help and guidance.… read more
(Excellent
)
21/11/2022
Left by Workawayer (Mathilde & Alexandre) for host
We stayed almost 4 weeks with Sally and Pieter and it seemed like it was only 2. Their place is wonderful and the work was amazing, we learned so much!
Sally and Pieter are very kind people and we felt like home after 4 month travelling. Don't worry about the accommodation, Sally is an excellent cooker and we also had our own place with all we… read more
Sally and Pieter are very kind people and we felt like home after 4 month travelling. Don't worry about the accommodation, Sally is an excellent cooker and we also had our own place with all we… read more
17/07/2022
Left by Workawayer (Reece & Daniella ) for host
Sally and Pieter are such a special couple, we are incredibly grateful for the time we shared on their beautiful little farm. We spent about 5 weeks at Klein Plasie.
From the moment we arrived, we were made to feel so at home. The tasks were varied and interesting, both Reece and I learned so much more than we had bargained for! Reece dug basins… read more
From the moment we arrived, we were made to feel so at home. The tasks were varied and interesting, both Reece and I learned so much more than we had bargained for! Reece dug basins… read more
12/11/2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Reece & Daniella )
Reece and Daniella were a pleasure to have here with us from 26 September till 30 October.
Daniella was a good communicator in all the pre-arrangements to the visit, as were they both during their stay.
They both worked hard with a willingness to learn; from Pieter's own experience and his personal files/ library. Together they pruned and… read more
Daniella was a good communicator in all the pre-arrangements to the visit, as were they both during their stay.
They both worked hard with a willingness to learn; from Pieter's own experience and his personal files/ library. Together they pruned and… read more
(Excellent
)
21/06/2022
Left by host for Workawayer (Roxanne & Grant)
Grant and Roxy are a lovely couple and only a pleasure to have hosted here for nearly10 weeks. They were enthusiastic and willing with all tasks done. Grant worked very hard making beautiful rock basins around 42 trees to keep the chickens from being destructive. He topped trees, cleaned the chicken house and helped clear the perimeter fence of… read more
(Excellent
)
12/04/2022
Left by Workawayer (Jaro) for host
04/04/2022
Left by Workawayer (Nabeela & Christopher) for host
Working and staying at Sally’s and Pieter’s farm was a simply wonderful experience. They were kind, accommodating and flexible. My work involved harvesting and shelling almonds, thinning carrots and some fun things like sewing and pasta making !
The accommodation was very comfortable for me and the kitchen was well stocked. Like the rest of my… read more
The accommodation was very comfortable for me and the kitchen was well stocked. Like the rest of my… read more
03/04/2022
Left by host for Workawayer (Nabeela & Christopher)
Nabeela was a pleasure to host, an easy and engaging person to work with. She worked responsibly, was always up for all tasks and was a good communicator. She worked either alone or with me harvesting almonds, weeding and learnt soil preparation for our winter sowing which she helped with. Nabeela also sowed crop cover bags on my hand sewing… read more
(Excellent
)
24/08/2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Benjamin)
Ben is a Workaway Hosts' dream Workaway! He worked hard, doing a variety of tasks - some initially repetitive (that's how it is on a farm); as in preparing long beds for seed potatoes and more beds for carrot, beetroot and eventually tomatoes. Ben was responsible and had a good attitude in all that he did. He was eager to learn, making use of… read more
(Excellent
)
23/08/2021
Left by Workawayer (Benjamin) for host
I could not have asked for a more positive, educational and welcoming first Workaway experience than the three weeks I spent working and staying with Pieter and Sally.
The work itself was hard but rewarding, and guided by Pieter and Sally, I was able to learn a great deal about preparing, planting and mulching vegetable beds (in particular… read more
The work itself was hard but rewarding, and guided by Pieter and Sally, I was able to learn a great deal about preparing, planting and mulching vegetable beds (in particular… read more
02/05/2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Julia & Mikhyle)
Mikhyle and Julia are are a great couple; hard working, plugged into what needed to be done with positive attitudes; in-spite of the understandably hard work, especially for Mikhyle. Julia helped with weeding, harvesting of grapes, processing the juice, honey collection, making of pasta and transplanting strawberries as well as sowing of seeds.… read more
(Excellent
)
26/04/2021
Left by Workawayer (Julia & Mikhyle) for host
We spent 3 weeks at Sally and Pieter's organic farm. We couldn't have asked for a better Workaway opportunity. We did a range of different jobs from cleaning, weeding, harvesting crops, planting crops, digging, juicing etc. We learned so much about organic farming. Sally and Pieter have many years of experience and a wealth of knowledge. They are… read more
25/03/2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Barbora)
Barbora is a sweet young lady and a good communicator--- she was a great help to me in the garden and diligent in all that I asked her to do. She harvested almonds and prunes and did a lot of weeding and thinning of carrots as well as cutting open prunes for drying and setting them out on trays. Barbora also helped with harvesting of honey and the… read more
(Excellent
)
25/03/2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Emile)
Having Emile to stay was very positive -- He is a hard worker, diligent in completing his tasks and showed initiative. He dug holes for tree planting, did some summer fruit tree topping, harvested almonds and helped with the collection of honey from our hives. Emile is an easy person to have around, has an open an honest disposition and fitted in… read more
(Excellent
)
24/03/2021
Left by Workawayer (Emile) for host
I spent 2 weeks with Peter and Sally on their small farm near Vanwyks-dorp, the experience was exceptional filled with positive memories and people.
The first thing I noticed on the farm is how meticulous and neat everything is which shows great care and attention to detail, certainly the way I would want to do it. The surroundings are great to… read more
The first thing I noticed on the farm is how meticulous and neat everything is which shows great care and attention to detail, certainly the way I would want to do it. The surroundings are great to… read more
07/11/2020
Left by host for Workawayer (Ruth)
Ruth is a responsible and detailed person and was a great help to me in a season of lots of weeding, sowing and clearing old beds of peas, as well as shelling Lima beans. She also sowed many fruit bags (on a hand machine) during the hotter times of the day. Ruth enjoyed what this place had to offer which is always an asset for any host and was an… read more
(Excellent
)
29/10/2020
Left by Workawayer (Ruth) for host
Exceptional hosts. It was a pleasure and privilege to spend 3 weeks with such dedicated, kind and knowledgable people in the diverse plant and animal kingdoms surrounding them. Until the next episode xx
07/08/2020
Left by Workawayer (Harry) for host
What an amazing experience my time spent here was! Having built up everything they have from scratch it was amazing to learn how such a farm works and everything that goes into this lifestyle. From cooking and preparing the food in the kitchen to the home made irrigation pipes. I will forever cherish my visit here. Sally and Pieter are extremely… read more
08/07/2020
Left by host for Workawayer (Harry)
Harry was a pleasure to have here with us for three weeks here. He was hard working, conscientious and eager to learn. He dug and prepared vegetable trenches and enlarged basins around the almond trees and removed old irrigation pipes. Harry was always cheerful whatever the situation. He made good use of his off time, running and hiking and… read more
(Excellent
)
14/07/2020
Left by Workawayer (Alice & Julie) for host
My stay here was perfect ! I have nothing but good to say about it, Sally and Peter are wonderful people who took care of me the whole time. I couldn't dream for a better place to stay during lockdown. I learn so much about farming and South Africa. I feel so lucky I got the opportunity to be there, I will never forget this beautiful adventure and… read more
08/07/2020
Left by host for Workawayer (Alice & Julie)
Alice was a great Workaway, staying with us for 3 months. She accepted all tasks with grace, was always cheerful, appreciative and applied herself to what needed to be done. We are very grateful for her help, always done with a good attitude. It was a long stay due to lockdown but it was never a burden to have Alice. She enjoyed the small… read more
(Excellent
)
21/03/2020
Left by Workawayer (Mascha) for host
Our stay with Sally and Pieter was fantastic. We enjoyed so much the beautiful and quiet surrounding and the positive energy in this workaway place. We loved that Sally and Pieter are very well structured and always making sure that we felt good. We could learn many things about living off grid and about how to work hard for your dreams. One of… read more
15/03/2020
Left by Workawayer (Toyoki) for host
Thank you so much to Pieter and Sally for all the priceless experiences and warmest hospitality.
They just treated me well that almost forget the job that done in the day.
Accommodation and food was marvelous. They had audio room and all the leisure stuff they had offered me made me so much relax to been in this small town of the beautiful South… read more
They just treated me well that almost forget the job that done in the day.
Accommodation and food was marvelous. They had audio room and all the leisure stuff they had offered me made me so much relax to been in this small town of the beautiful South… read more
08/03/2020
Left by host for Workawayer (Toyoki)
Toyoki is a hard working polite young man, his stay was a great asset for us. We enjoyed his company and many travel experiences. He helped Pieter and also used his own initiative with a major landscaping project which involved cutting down and removing big thorn tree branches, clearing rocks, planting Spekboom cuttings and gravelling dry beds and… read more
(Excellent
)
11/03/2020
Left by host for Workawayer (Mathieu)
Mathieu and Mascha were really great Workaways. They embraced life here on our small farm with enthusiasm, care and hard work. We so appreciated having them. Mathieu with Toyoki did some serious stone and rock clearing for new terraces to accommodate fruit drying racks; Mathieu also made rock basins around fruit trees to keep scratching chickens… read more
(Excellent
)
29/01/2020
Left by Workawayer (Justine & Maxime) for host
Sally and Pieter are THE BEST HOSTS you could ever dream of meeting! It was our very first Workaway experience and they made it absolutely wonderful. We've learnt so many things about farming, living differently, organically, healthily. We've also learnt a lot of things about the Klein Karoo and its indigenous animals and plants species. We went… read more
27/01/2020
Left by host for Workawayer (Justine & Maxime)
Maxime and Justine were a great Workaway couple and a pleasure to host. They worked consistently hard, communicated well and were appreciative of their experience here. Together they lime washed our cottage and then Max went on to make wire support frames for the tomatoes, prepared vegetable beds with manure and mulch. He worked hard on clearing… read more
(Excellent
)
03/11/2019
Left by Workawayer (James & Bronwyn) for host
Our experience with Sally and Pieter was absolutely incredible! They have a wealth of knowledge and recourses regarding organic farming, solar energy and building. They are passionate about their sustainable and organic lifestyle and have built their farm and house by themselves with hard work.
We really enjoyed our 2 weeks on the farm. The… read more
We really enjoyed our 2 weeks on the farm. The… read more
01/11/2019
Left by host for Workawayer (James & Bronwyn)
This enthusiastic South African couple James and Bronwyn were a great pleasure to have! They were here from October 17 to 1 November 2019.
James dug and prepared tree holes, (a physically very challenging job done very well ), made protective/support wire cages for trees and tomatoes and expertly serviced our motorcycle.
Bronwyn helped prepare… read more
James dug and prepared tree holes, (a physically very challenging job done very well ), made protective/support wire cages for trees and tomatoes and expertly serviced our motorcycle.
Bronwyn helped prepare… read more
(Excellent
)
21/10/2019
Left by Workawayer (Cari) for host
I had such a memorable experience working and staying here. If you love gardening, plants, nature and sustainable living then this will be your dream workaway. The work wasn't physically challenging but everyday you get your hands dirty and get to do something different. Sally and Pieter are truly inspiring and loving people; they quickly became… read more
20/10/2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Cari)
It was such a pleasure to have Cari stay with us! She worked hard, was so kind and caring in every way.
Cari is responsible and helped with many projects with care and enthusiasm. These included seed sowing, weeding and thinning of vegetables, inside painting and helping in the kitchen with food preparation.
Cari enjoyed hiking and the peace that… read more
Cari is responsible and helped with many projects with care and enthusiasm. These included seed sowing, weeding and thinning of vegetables, inside painting and helping in the kitchen with food preparation.
Cari enjoyed hiking and the peace that… read more
(Excellent
)
05/05/2019
Left by Workawayer (Joseph & Lisa) for host
Volunteering at Pieter and Sally’s farm home holds true to the description. It’s a wonderful learning experience. Likened to a ‘mini-Kibbutz’, this immaculate small holding is well maintained and cared for and one can see the fruits of many years of labour which Pieter and Sally have put into their farm. The tents are spacious and have lovely… read more
26/04/2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Joseph & Lisa)
It was a real pleasure to have Joseph, Lisa and Josiah here with us from 18 March - 16 April 2019. They completed all tasks with with a positive, can - do attitude. Joseph's main task was clearing a new overgrown and very rocky area as well as digging 8 large holes for new avocado trees. This was especially challenging, but being fit with lots of… read more
(Excellent
)
27/03/2019
Left by Workawayer (Jenni & Lisa-Marie) for host
We stayed two weeks in February with Sally and Pieter and had an amazing time there. The climate was totally different from what we were used to but it was a good experience. Sally and Pieter are really organised what we liked a lot about this place. Even though it was really hot they organised it well that we worked in the garden in the morning… read more
10/03/2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Jenni & Lisa-Marie)
These two lovely young ladies from Germany were with us from 18 Feb- 4 March 2019. They assisted with almond, prune and grape harvesting as well as making grape juice with all the different steps involved and also made pasta. (and cracked nuts!) They were practical in the garden with seed sowing, weeding and mulching. Jenni and Lisa were quick to… read more
(Excellent
)
10/03/2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Bianca & Sean)
This lovely young South African couple stayed/worked on our farm from 18 Feb-4 March 2019. Sean collected and stacked firewood, pruned wind break trees, helped the girls harvest almonds, prunes and grapes as well as topping fruit trees. Apart from the harvesting Bianca also made grape juice with it's many steps (a lot equipment cleaning thank you… read more
(Excellent
)
03/03/2019
Left by Workawayer (Bianca & Sean) for host
Home away from home.
Working was made fun, We really loved and embraced the farm life style. Most of work consisted of Pruning, harvesting, planting and the making of grape juice. If you are considering to come here I highly recommend it, the food was spectacular and not what we use to but something we going to carry on eating, definitely! Hiking… read more
Working was made fun, We really loved and embraced the farm life style. Most of work consisted of Pruning, harvesting, planting and the making of grape juice. If you are considering to come here I highly recommend it, the food was spectacular and not what we use to but something we going to carry on eating, definitely! Hiking… read more
30/01/2019
Left by Workawayer (Wiilliam) for host
Pieter and Sally are the nicest people you'll ever meet. Their knowledge on farming is huge. Sally's food is yummy! Bear in mind though, that since the farm is very well-managed, there's little freedom in how and when to do your work.
27/01/2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Wiilliam)
Will stayed with us from 5 January-18 January 2018. In this time with us he did the following tasks; dug and prepared soil for a vegetable trench, harvested butternuts and cleared beds from old plants, weeding, varnishing doors and window frames, topped fruit trees and landscaping.
Being fit with a positive attitude to manual farm work, he… read more
Being fit with a positive attitude to manual farm work, he… read more
(Excellent
)
03/01/2019
Left by Workawayer (Loic) for host
My experience at Pieter’s and Sally’s farm was fantastic.
Both have years of experience in organic farming and are invaluable sources of information – and inspiration! – to anyone considering a self-sustainable way of life. They are very eager to share all their knowledge, from general farming principles to clever tips to avoid pitfalls. Pieter… read more
Both have years of experience in organic farming and are invaluable sources of information – and inspiration! – to anyone considering a self-sustainable way of life. They are very eager to share all their knowledge, from general farming principles to clever tips to avoid pitfalls. Pieter… read more
03/01/2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Loic)
Loic stayed with us from 11 Oct. 2018 till 5 Jan. 2019 on our farm near Vanwyks-
dorp, Western Cape Province, South Africa. It was a great pleasure to have him be part of our team.
During this time he helped with a variety of tasks including digging and preparing vegetable trenches and tree holes, landscaping, weeding, mulching, bush clearing,… read more
dorp, Western Cape Province, South Africa. It was a great pleasure to have him be part of our team.
During this time he helped with a variety of tasks including digging and preparing vegetable trenches and tree holes, landscaping, weeding, mulching, bush clearing,… read more
(Excellent
)
22/06/2018
Left by Workawayer (Hiroko) for host
Not for faint hearted ''City Slickers''. No internet connection. You need to have a USB stick. Very very small place like hamlet. No entertainment city dwellers are accustomed to. Various and endless work to do on the farm. Sally the hostess was very attentive and caring. If you like to chill out, away from a city's hustle and bustle in a dry arid… read more
