Greece
Favourited 553 times
Here at our farm we follow Bio Cyclical growth and live with respect for the environment and biodiversity protection.
We are an olive grove at the foothills of Hymettus mountain, 30km away from Athens city center, and we like to live peacefully with our dogs, donkeys, chicken and cat. Even though not 'purists', we are mainly vegetarian; food supplies are cared for by the farm's caretaker, and we provide our modest Greek produce; we sometimes can offer workawayers a more 'exotic' shopping list or some special request. However, we have to say 'no' to tobacco, alcohol and 'power drink' consumption on the farm.
At the moment the Farm opens at 7 a.m. and closes at 7p.m. The farm's gates close around that time, which is the time the shepherds are released from their boxes for the night guard, and re- open around 8a.m.. This is to say, we need to be notified if one is to enter or leave the farm beyond those hours; the shepherd dogs are all really nice, it is just that they have to 'work' for certain hours during the night and it is best if they are not 'confused' with unnecessary commotion during those hours :))
Some more detailed information about the farm and it's olive trees: the olive grove produces price awarded xx fine virgin olive oil and the trees are looked after according to instruction by ΔΗΩ, our Certifying Controller Agency.
The place had not been used for a long time so now it needs some adjustments, like adding storing sheds and a new chicken coop, decorating, fixing things, cleaning, and always tidying up.
Art is in everything we do; it is important for us to work with love and knowledge while we try to exert the qualities of our olive oil: observation is one of our important key words!
Though the activity is still at its beginning, many things have been done or are in progress, and we have plenty of other projects for the future.
We plan to build a new vegetable garden, using companion planting (for biodiversity and pest control), compost (with our kitchen wastes, chicken + donkey manure and grass cuttings), natural protection against harmful insects and diseases, and collecting and saving of seeds. To that end, we need to connect our irrigation system because, whilst we consciously do not irrigate the olive trees, we need to water our vegetable garden and our fence trees and plants in order to stimulate their growth. To that end we keep track of the weather reports (daily/weekly).
Could you please be so kind and with your application write to us what it is you think you can be of help with vis a vi the content of our profile; for one, we are not 'teachers', so our patience for too many questions asked over and over again is limited; we try to work in pace, peace, and coordination, we like to see the 'routine' done properly daily, on our own if need be.
If you feel like you can bring something to what we do by your efficient and cooperative presence, and if you believe that we can contribute to your learning process in a sharing and caring connection regarding nature and it's objective 'needs' to survive us, we would be glad to hear from you.
We welcome volunteers from all over the world and a good common ground of understanding is important: however, we are no longer accepting 'drive throughs' or 'stop overs'; could you therefore be so kind and please send us in writing about your (veritable) intention regarding your visit here; we spend a considerable amount of our time and our efforts in order to be as best hosts as possible for you, and make the experience worth your while, whether it meets your initial expectation, or not :))
Thanks.
*** Before writing to us, kindly take note of the following regarding COVID as it looks very much likely that COVID IS NOT HARMLESS, even if only mildly infected ***
We are committed to continue our cycle, and would welcome anyone interested to help us here on the farm but we kindly ask workawayers to acknowledge that if they are here, they are to 'socialize' according to public health recommendations by the Greek Ministry of Social Health with no alternative theory and/or interpretation.
That is to say, we are STILL serious about
a. respecting social distancing (stay at at least one meter and a half away from each other especially upon arrival),
b. following daily hygiene and sanitary disinfection protocols
c. wearing masks everywhere outside the farm.
d. w/awayers to be fully vaccinated by this time.
Every other new instruction announced by the Greek Ministry of Social Health will be followed by the book with no exception, and will not be contested on any philosophical, ideological or for that matter, other type of grounds.
We evidently don't like the situation ourselves, but it is just how things still are, so we kindly ask you to be considerate and practice "tight" rather than "relaxed" behavior, even if vaccinated.
Allow us to reiterate that it is because of all of the above that we will no longer host occasional or sporadic travelers: it is truly great if one is able to commit for- at least - a full period of 1 month, to integrate and to appreciate our efforts, and in the end help with what we are actually in need of.
Also, we prefer workawayers who come with other w/a Hosts' positive feedback.
Thank you very much for your kind cooperation ;)
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Help around the house
General Maintenance
The farm is located next to Paiania, at the foothills of Hymettus mountain, where you can enjoy great hikes.
Also, Athens is accessible by public transport from the farm and if you are drivers there are many archaeological sites nearby, like Cape Sounion (the temple of Poseidon), the temple of Artemis in Vravrona, and nice places to visit: Marathon, Rafina, Porto Rafti, etc.
Here you can learn about biocyclical agriculture and the process of producing high quality olive oil.
You will also learn how to take care of the animals and to listen to their needs. If you stay for a longer period of time you might even be able to attend basic dog training lessons with Sophia our wonderful dog trainer.
Of course, you will learn how to cook very nice Greek dishes!
NO TOBACCO and NO ALCOHOL consumption on the premises
Depending on the period and availability you can either be accommodated inside a house or in tents outside (bringing your own). Once again, smoking is strictly forbidden inside or outside your tents. Thank you.
We are looking for volunteers to help us with the maintenance of the place (minor repairs, cleaning of the outdoor areas and taking care of the plants) and the routine of the farm (feeding the animals and cleaning their space).
Animals are early risers, so they also expect you to be one! We usually work at sunrise for the morning routine and at sunset we close the farm with the evening routine. In between we will help you plan other activities and your free time.
Note that for the fall routine (September, October, November), the farm starts at about 7:30am. and closes at about 7:00 in the evening-- also depending on temperatures.
Please, if you have special skills and have any idea of how you could help us that we have not thought about, don’t hesitate to let us know. We also like it if, upon your application for staying with us, you ask questions regarding the above.
In our view, sincere learners need at least a month to understand and to adapt to what we are about; the first week is demanding for people who have no agricultural life experience (here there is no 'garden') and the observation of nature is necessary in order to understand it, you will need to devote time in order to serve nature before it serves you; here, and regardless of your character, ideas and views, it is essential that you try learn 'at any cost', try to create and follow your own 'flow'- but with 'flow' it should be; nature's gifts should not be taken for granted.
German: Fluent
Greek: Fluent
English: Fluent
French: Intermediate
An independent little house is available for volunteers (2 bedrooms, bathroom and kitchen).
The farm is located very close to Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos), easily accessible by public transport.
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
More than two
6 hours a day, 5 days a week
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.5)
Cultural exchange:
(4.6)
Communication:
(4.5)
