Help us out on a family small-holding finca in the Mallorca hills near Selva, Spain

Details

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  Description

  We, a husband (British) and wife (Hungarian) team, bought the finca around ten years ago.
  
  This is not a commercial farm. We are not farmers. Our activity is not-for-profit. Any produce we harvest is for own-consumption. It has been a purely personal project which we have done alongside our regular jobs.
  
  The essence of it all is that we are trying to bring life back to long abandoned and neglected land in a difficult climate and environment using organic, traditional and artisanal methods.
  
  Our finca (farm/homestead ) is located in Mallorca, Spain in the foothills of the Tramuntana mountain range, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Cultured Landscaped category. We are close-by the village of Selva. The finca is around 1.5 hectares (3.7 acres) in size.
  
  The land was mostly abandoned for many decades and so was overgrown, dry and arid, strewn with dead almond trees and invasive undergrowth.
  
  After cleaning up the land we planted olive, carob and almond trees.
  
  Our centre-piece is the olive grove, comprising Korineiki olive trees, grown from young plants and, in the other part, grafting existing wild olive trees in a Provençal Garrigue area. Within this area we developed a meadow area with fruit trees including caqui, fig and citrus trees.
  
  Aside these we have also planted fruit and nut trees and others such as cypresses and aromatic herbs like Rosemary, Santolina and Lavender.
  
  Due to the dry, arid climate water resources are critically important and always challenging. This means that keeping the plants and trees going is challenging due to the summer heat and droughts as well as the poor soil.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Light gardening

  Creative DIY projects

  Farmstay help

  Light maintenance
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  Interests

  

  Culture

  

  Farming

  

  Music

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Gardening

  

  Languages

  

  Plant care

  

  History

  

  Books

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Nature

  

  Hiking
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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 are a well travelled, cosmopolitan couple having lived and worked in various countries, British (Adam) and Hungarian (Andrea).
  
  Andrea is holistic therapist and yoga teacher. Fluent in English she is an enthusiastic cook using natural, organic produce including making her own sourdough bread.
  
  Adam is fluent in Spanish, French and Italian.
  
  We would like to use our project as a way of sharing with others this authentic experience of living on a Mallorcan finca.
  
  At the heart of our project is a philosophy centred on natural conservation and traditional values.
  
  This experience will be for those who are seeking engagement with nature as well as to meet with people from other backgrounds and walks of life.
  
  As opposed to the high intensity tourism of Mallorca, we live quietly, consciously outside of the consumerism-driven mainstream. For example, we have no TV and our house rule is strictly no mobile phones at mealtimes or whilst working. We have internet in the house, but it not in the studio.
  
  This is a peaceful place to disconnect and re-discover life's natural rhythm.
  
  For longer stays yoga, exercises and therapies are possible.

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  Help

  We are looking for help during the months of September and October to work with us:
  
  Whilst there is always work to do around the finca so the need to be versatile and flexible the tasks that we envisage include:
  
  SEPT PERIOD
  - harvesting the carobs
  - managing the irrigation system linked to our well and watering those areas which are not connected to it
  - occasional spraying (never any chemicals, only organic purins, macerations etc)
  - cleaning up overgrowth and grasses
  - DIY around the house and finca (as we are not very gifted in this regard, DIY skills are much appreciated)
  
  OCT PERIOD
  - harvesting the olives
  - planting new trees and aromatic herbs (all like basic gardening), part linked to the Garrigues project
  - adding some light fencing to keep out the sheep
  - preparing for the annual pruning, rain capture, natural fertilizer etc. ahead of the winter period
  - cleaning up overgrowth and grasses
  -DIY around the house and finca
  
  For working outdoors, gloves, hats and sunglasses are required. Sun protection especially sun-cream for the face is necessary.
  
  We always work together with helpers, getting the jobs done and enjoying the working together and the beautiful surroundings. This is collaborative work.
  
  A good physical condition is required, but nothing more. The work is physical without being either excessive or requiring strength. It is all about enjoying being physically active, being outside at one with nature and working with others in a friendly, co-operative environment where we all help each other out to get to the end result.
  
  Other qualities needed are a good sense of humour, versatility, curiosity and open-mindedness as well as a love of nature.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Fluent
  French: Fluent
  Hungarian: Fluent
  Italian: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
  You can contact them directly for more information.
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  Accommodation

  Accommodation comprises an independent approx 18 m2 studio with two single beds, a fully equipped American kitchen with new fridge, electric cooker and rings and a separate bathroom with shower. The studio has its own terrace and retractable sun awning. Sheets, bedding and towels will be provided as well as use of the house washing machine. We can accommodate either an individual or couples.
  
  Meals will comprise either a lunch or dinner together with us. For the breakfast and the other main meal we will provide the food stuffs and also offer the opportunity to shop with us in the local town and the village food markets. We are vegetarian (but not vegan, so do eat diary such as cheese and fish) based on organic, natural and, to the greatest extent possible, local produce. Consequently the meal with us will be always vegetarian (please note that we cannot provide for a vegan diet).

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  What else ...

  The finca is a stone's throw from the village of Moscari, about 500m by foot where there is a local shop and café. For amenities and shopping Inca, one of the larger towns on the island is only 5 kms away with a bus connection from Moscari village.
  
  We are located about 17 kms from the seaside (Alcudia, Can Picafort) with sandy beaches and coves ideal for relaxing and walking excursions.
  
  Closer-by, of interest for walkers, is the monastery of Lluc, some 7 kms away from where there are walks in the Tramontana mountains.
  
  Own transport is needed. Possibilities for car and scooter rental are available. We are happy to assist in providing addresses in this regard and taking to the places for pick-up and drop-off.
  
  Overall, this is a quiet, rural spot, far from the party areas for which Mallorca is well known. The opportunity is for those looking for some peace and quiet, certainly not for party-goers and night-life.
  
  We are active walkers and would be happy to accompany work-awayers on interesting walks. We would also propose to take participants to the local markets and other excursions, if that is of interest.

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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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  My animals / pets

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