Help us with the restoration of the ecology in our 14-year organic farm in Hosszúhetény, Hungary

Details

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  Description

  Welcome to the Farm! It can be found in the Southern region of Hungary in the Mecsek hills, in Hosszúhetény village.
  Hello, I’m Tamás, the founder of the Farm. I launched the farm back in 2008 to pursue my vision to combine a natural ecosystem with a homestead driven by ecological principles, based on permaculture, agroforestry, regenerative agriculture, and restoration ecology. The land is approximately 3.3 hectares, which includes silvopastures, orchards, gardens, forest gardens and forests. The site had been cultivated as monoculture vineyards for more than 300 years, which degraded the soil substantially over the centuries. I applied regenerative practices to create some living ecosystem in order to revitalize the natural resources. The farm is committed to large-scale composting (200 m3 per annum) which is based on the material supplied by the local community. The compost is used for improving the soil quality of the farm. I have been propagating the fruit trees myself to test several local cultivars in this climate. I have been developing bio- and structural diversity over the years. The biggest challenge is the climate change, because the plot is especially dry area, so rainwater harvesting techniques are used all over the farm. Further developments are in progress, e.g. a rainwater pond is under construction. I’m going to keep poultry and grazing animals like sheep and cows from 2023 to build a holistic ecosystem.
  
  The farm is a private homestead today. I plan to transform it into a business next year.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  You can learn grafting,levelling contour lines, composting, basket waver practices, joiner activities, tree surgery, rainwater harvesting, carpentry, brick layer, and natural building techniques on the farm.

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  Help

  - grafting of fruit trees
  - chop and drop mulching in the forest garden
  - rainwater harvesting
  - work in the vegetable gardens
  - making a hotbed for seedlings
  - planting fruit trees
  - harvesting herbs, fruit and making these ready for the winter
  - mowing grass with scythe
  - building, reconstruction
  - chopping firewood

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  Languages spoken

  Hungarian: Fluent
  English: Intermediate

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  Accommodation

  As a volunteer you can live in a small partly off-grid house with a double bedroom, a kitchen with a gas stove, a wood stove for heating, and a washing machine, a shower using rainwater, and a composting toilet. Drinking water is supplied from bottles. Electricity and wifi are available. This accomodation is ideal for an individual or for a couple.

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  What else ...

  Several trails start next to the farm up to the hills and forests of Mecsek Mountain. Within walking distance, the Castle in Püspükszentlászló and its old park have a special atmosphere. You can ride a bike to Lake Dombay to have a bath in a natural environment, the same applies to Orfű which is a paradise for tourists. There is a cave in Abaliget to visit. Culinary delights are open for you in Hosszúhetény. You can enjoy the cultural programs and festivals in Pécs, which is a university town, too. Thermal baths can be excellent destinations for you in the region, e.g. in Magyarhertelend, in Siklós or in Harkány in your free time. You can join red wine festivals in Villány.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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