Stay and help at our place in the green countryside near Eelde, Netherlands

Details

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  Description

  We are a family of four, living in the green countryside near Eelde (near Groningen, the Netherlands). We are Jan Willem and Inge, with two daughters in the age of 9 and 6.
  
  In 2021 we bought this unused farm dating from the 70s with cow stables and about 1.3 hectare (~3 acres) of land. We moved here for several reasons: to live a more quiet life, to be more in contact with nature and the weather, and to live more (self-)sustainable. We started a food forest last year and have planted around 300 trees and shrubs so far for our own consumption, although it will take years before we can properly harvest. We also created the first part of our vegetable garden with compost heap so we can harvest some food for ourselves. Currently we are (re)building and improving the cow-stables into an insulated and more pleasing structure, using wood from the property. We're also cleaning and improving the terrain around the house and shed. There is always something to do around here!
  
  If you’d like to come over for a stay, feel free to get in touch. We prefer couples or people travelling together, or people who like to spend some time on their own, since we won't always be able to join in working and keep our evenings to ourselves. Skills in carpenting, woodwork, construction work, painting, permaculture, natural building, agroforestry, farming or regenerative agriculture come in handy, but we believe that everybody has talents to offer and we are open to teaching what we have learned so far.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  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

  We offer what we have in knowledge of permaculture, food forest, DIY building and construction, woodwork and gardening, alongside life philosophy and good talks around the campfire. As we have a commited family life we aren’t able to participate in evening meals every day, but we’d like to share lunches with visitors (we can alternate who does preparations). We eat mostly vegetarian. For other meals we'll provide you with ingredients of your choice and you can cook them at your own leisure in the kitchen of our guesthouse or campervan.

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  Projects involving children

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

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  Help

  We are currently looking for people who can help a couple of days (1-2 weeks possibly). Most pressing are work in the (vegetable) garden, the field/pasture and construction work in/around the stables.
  
  We can always use help with maintenance of our vegetable garden (weeding, planting, watering, composting); maintenance around the barn and house; gardening (weeding, mowing, watering); painting work such as doors and windows; and we are open to other activities such as building a new shed, treehouse or improving/regenerating the land. One of us will most of the time be available to join in jobs, but it's also nice if you are able to do things independently.
  
  You are welcome to suggest jobs that you see and would like to do. We love to learn from your skills and put them to good use.

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  Languages spoken

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

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  Accommodation

  We offer accommodation in the form of a guesthouse with private kitchen and a bathroom that can be shared with our ‘campsite’ . Sometimes we rent out the guesthouse, in which case you can stay in our large campervan, that has a fridge & kitchen with utilities, and sleeping arrangements for up to three people.
  
  We like to spend time together during work and lunchtime. Usually we also like to share the evening meal, for other moments we'll happily provide you with the ingredients you need to make your own. (There is a full kitchen available for your own needs.)

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  What else ...

  The village of Eelde is quite close-by, a couple of minutes per bike. We have bikes you can borrow to take a look around in our area, which can be quite picturesque. There is a lake nearby where you can swim, forests where you can take a hike. Also the city of Groningen is closeby (45 mins on bike, or public transport) with lots of opportunities for culture or sightseeing. Public transport is not directly near the house, but at a 15 min walk there is a bus-stop (of 5 min by bike ~1km). On request we can bring you there by car also.
  
  Workaway is new to us, (although friends have good experience with it) so we are happy to learn from your experience with this platform!

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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

  We have a big field where campervans can stay, water and electricity can be provided. The view and sunset are included :)

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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