Woodworking and organic farming in Sandbeiendorf, Germany

Details

• 

  Description

  Stephan’s family (wife & 2 kids (5)(7)) and I (44) live in a small town on an old restored farmhouse about a half an hour from what I consider civilization. Stephan owns an organic farm and produces organic fruits and vegetables throughout the year. He and his family are quite involved throughout the community and loves to do what he can to bring people together.
  
  I moved here after looking for a place for my woodshop where I design and manufacture wooden tabletops, cutting boards and wind spinners. My first impressions of the place here were the really cool and relaxed vibe everybody seemed to carry within themselves, and the fact that it’s kind of been a meeting point for neighbors and visitors of all kind. Everybody who’s here is welcome, and allowed to do what they like and appreciate. There’s just such a cool flow with everything on most any given day. After experiencing that a couple of times I knew that was exactly what I was looking for…and has continued to be like that up to date 😉
  
  Other than that, we have quite a few animals that also live here. Elfie is the best watchdog…and always available for cuddling and petting. At the moment there are 5 housecats running around and a handful of pigs, cows, rabbits, and chickens who also live here.
  
  One of the biggest advantages of living here is the fresh produce available most of the year. We have a walk-in cool house where we refrigerate the vegetables and most of the summer a quick stroll through the garden is all you need to collect everything for an evening meal!

• 

  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
• 

  Interests

  

  Vegetarian or vegan

  

  Van life

  

  Sustainability

  

  Self development

  

  Pets

  

  LGBTQ

  

  Farming

  

  Events & social

  

  Culture

  

  Writing

  

  Plant care

  

  Music

  

  Gardening

  

  Drawing & painting

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Carpentry

  

  Books

  

  Architecture

  

  Animals

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Outdoor activities

  

  Nature

  

  Hiking

  

  Dancing

  

  Cycling

  

  Camping

  

  Beach

  

  Adventure sports
• 

  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

  ...

  ...

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  What's this?
• 

  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  I’d say there’s quite a bit that can be learned while staying with us…which is also one of the reasons I appreciate this place so much. Starting from wood-working skills and organic farming, to renovation, animal care, metalwork, household knowledge. Both of the kids also offer a round atmosphere…people from throughout the community are always swinging by offering new situations and variety…and forests and fields are just steps away for those who appreciate their time alone. What else could anyone want?
  
  In addition, I like to focus on self-development and energy work…so things like Yoga and meditation are not foreign words. As far as dietary preferences go, I’ve been mostly vegan/vegetarian for years now, and have occasionally gone back to eating meat since it’s produced here at home, but most of our meals are vegetarian based with the occasional meat additive on the side.

• 

  Projects involving children

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

• 

  Help

  So, we’ve always got plenty to do but have narrowed the upcoming workaway period down to two major tasks that we’d like to complete before the winter comes. Definitely, plenty of variety and opportunities to learn new skills.
  
  The first job will be helping me finish an old trailer that I plan on living in before the cold weather approaches. I’m basically starting from scratch which offers quite an opportunity for really learning every step of the way and getting an eyesight into how a project can be built ecologically using mostly, if not all, natural materials. This will pretty much be a daily project, but depending on what else is going on around the house at any certain time I also like to fill in extra time building wind-spinners or wooden cutting boards in the workshop…which is always welcomed if you enjoy woodwork like that.
  
  The second job is filled with tons of variety and could be anything from farming to painting & renovating, cooking, cleaning…feeding the animals, basically every bit of help is what keeps the wheels spinning…and plenty of variety to give each day its own character.

• 

  Languages

  Languages spoken
  German: Fluent
  English: Fluent
  Dutch: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  My native language is English (US), and I've been living here for over 20 years now. I guess we can definitely offer help with both of these languages and would love to learn new ones ontop.
• 

  Accommodation

  There are two separate rooms available in the house which means that you’ll have your own room when you stay with us. Everything you’ll need is available in the house and in addition in the courtyard. It’s important for us that you feel comfortable while you here…so feel free to let us know if you have special requests and/or would like to add your own personal touch to the room you’ll be staying in 😊

• 

  What else ...

  The area is absolutely beautiful; rolling fields amongst scattered patches of forests surrounded by complete piece and quiet.
  We're about a half an hour outside of Magdeburg (250k) and what I like to say almost the middle of nowhere. I've rarely found a place as peaceful and quiet as it is here. Planes, trains and freeways are all far enough away that you are undisturbed here.
  For those who would like to get away from the piece and quiet, Magdeburg is a half an hour away and offers basically everything a larger metropole has to offer. I drive into the city about once a week to meet up with friends, go climbing, etc. Other than that almost anything else you could need is a few towns away as far as shopping, doctors, malls etc. goes.

• 

  A little more information

  • 

    Internet access

  • 

    Limited internet access

  • 

    We have pets

  • 

    We are smokers

  • 

    Can host families

• 

  Can host digital nomads

  I'd say our Internet works just fine. I personally haven't tested it with Skype or anything, but listen to and stream music most of the day and haven't had any problem with that. I guess if you have meetings for hours on end I'm not sure if the Internet is stable enough for that.

• 

  Space for parking camper vans

  There is plenty of space for a camper...also plenty of space on the nearby field where the horses graze if you'd like :)

• 

  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

Website Safety