Small and cosy farm in Östavall, the heartlands of Sweden

Details

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  Description

  We are Jessica and Rory, a Belgian-Irish couple in our 40's. After travelling for years (often as Workawayers) we found home in the middle-north of Sweden, population density 3 people per square kilometer. Our small farm is surrounded by forest and located on a 4km long peninsula in one of the biggest lakes of the area.
  We have 2 dogs, Ben & Louie, 4 cats, about 16 chickens & 6 sheep.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance

  House & pet sitting
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Of course you will experience and learn a lot about animals and gardening. Furthermore, Rory is into bushcraft, and Jes is a professional cook who loves growing and making her own food things (wine, sourdough bread and other fermented stuff) so if that's your thing, you'll love it here.
  There is a ton of material and loads of space on the farm. So if you have any ideas for a new project, shoot!

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  Help

  IMPORTANT NOTE: September 2026 we are hoping to go on a 2 weeks hike without our dogs, for the very first time since we moved here. So we are hoping to find trustworthy dogs-lovers who can manage on their own during that period and who could come already in August so they can build a bond with the boys.
  
  There is always something to do on a farm. We have a big vegetable garden, lots of berry bushes and old buildings that are in constant need of care and attention. But our main focus is always the dogs.
  Ben and Louie need big walks and lots of cuddles. Most of the time Rory will walk them, but sometimes he is away. We think couples / duo's will thrive best here because our boys are big and strong. Louie is a lot lighter and easier to handle, Ben is quite heavy and stronger. But if you have experience with dogs and you're confident you can handle two big boys on your own, then we'd love to hear from you too.
  We have sheep and chickens, who don't need a lot of care in summer, but are fun to watch :-)
  
  We both have jobs that require us to get up at 4:20. After work, we take care of the animals, eat dinner, read our books and go to bed at 9 (yes, 9!) That is also why we think couples will do better here: we are not very social during the work week :-)) But if you like your peace and quiet, solo travelers are welcome too.
  But on day offs and weekends we love to show you around, have camp fires, share experiences!
  
  Consider that we have a simple diet. We eat porridge. We bake our own bread. We eat lots of eggs (from our chickens) and potatoes (from our land) and vegetables (not always from our own land as the growing season is short). We eat meat maybe twice a week, preferably from our own animals. We don't buy fancy ingredients. We don't usually buy organic (we would like to, but we live on a tight budget). We would like you to eat like we do (meaning: in the same budget). If you are attached to eating certain expensive foods, we would like you to pay for those yourself.
  Note to vegans / vegetarians: we think vegan 'faux' meat-like products are expensive and full of crap (mostly cheap oils), so we prefer you build your menu around proteins like legumes, mushrooms, seeds and nuts. Jes can help you with that :-)

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  Languages spoken

  German: Fluent
  English: Fluent
  French: Fluent
  Dutch: Fluent
  Swedish: Fluent
  Spanish: Intermediate

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  Accommodation

  This summer the guest cottage is available for Workawayers, which is a tiny house with bathroom and kitchen located on the sunny side of the meadow. So a bit of luxury and privacy :-) We do plan to work on the cottage this summer, but then you can take your refuse to the smaller cabin next to the cottage (f.e. if there is paint that needs drying).

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  What else ...

  If you have your own transport, you will have more freedom to discover the wider area. If you don't mind spending your freetime at the farm, in the surrounding forests or at the lake, then you can get here by plane + train (Ånge station). We can pick you up at the train station.

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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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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  My animals / pets

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