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Help with caring for the animals and DIY tasks while learning about cheese and bread making in Vernio, Italy

  • Last activity : 17 Jun 2026

Profile information

  • rating

    Host rating

    100 %

  • Last replied

    Last replied

    15 Jun 2026

  • Reply rate

    Reply rate

    85.7 %

    Usually responds within 7 days

  • feedbacks

    Feedback

    16

  • ID verified

    ID verified

  • Email verified

    Email verified

Country info

If you are not an EU Citizen and planning to visit Italy to work, volunteer or study, YOU WILL NEED THE CORRECT VISA. To find out more information please contact the embassy in your home country BEFORE travelling.

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Availability

  2026 

 Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    I am Gabriele , a shepherd from Calvana, I live with my girlfriend, Ivy, and my daughters on the ridge between Barberino di Mugello and Vernio. We are a eco-friendly family. We love cooking, the art of baking and the transformation of raw materials in general. Our house is in the middle of the woods where we raise animals for self-sufficiency and we plan to hold personal growth courses.

    We do not sell farm products and the courses are a future project without profit.

    The house is welcoming and uses wood heating, spring water and electricity from photovoltaic panels. To reach the farm you take a 500-meter dirt road that can be traveled on foot or by off-road vehicle. We are 40 minutes from Florence, 50 minutes from Bologna. The place is located on the "Wool and Silk" path and surrounded by trekking paths and important monasteries. There are lakes and rivers even around the towns where you can swim.

    Hope to see you soon !


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    Sono Gabriele, un pastore della Calvana, vivo con la mia compagna Ivy e le mie figlie sul crinale fra Barberino di Mugello e Vernio.
    Siamo una famiglia abbastanza sostenibile. Amiamo la cucina, l’arte bianca e la trasformazione delle materie prime in generale. La nostra casa è in mezzo al bosco dove alleviamo animali per l’autosufficienza ed abbiamo in progetto di tenere percorsi di crescita personale. Non vendiamo prodotti della fattoria ed i corsi sono un progetto futuro senza scopo di lucro.
    La casa è accogliente e si avvale di riscaldamento a legna, acqua di fonte e corrente da fotovoltaico. Per giungere alla fattoria si percorre una strada bianca di 500 metri percorribile a piedi o con fuoristrada.
    Sono a 40 minuti da Firenze, 50 minuti da Bologna. Il posto è situato sul sentiero della “Lana e della Seta” ed attorniata da sentieri di trekking e monasteri importanti. ci sono anche nei paesi limitrofi, fiumi e laghi balneabii.
    Vicina anche a laghi e fiumi balneabili.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Light gardening
    Creative DIY projects
    Animal Care
    Farmstay help
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    Light maintenance
  • Interests

    Interests

    Sustainability
    Self development
    Movies & TV
    Pets
    Farming
    Events & social
    Carpentry
    Performing arts
    Music
    Cooking & food
    Animals
    Yoga / Wellness
    Outdoor activities
    Nature
    Hiking
    Mountain
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Exchange of knowledge on natural breeding, bread making, cooking, cheese making, pork butchery, construction, horticulture.

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    Scambio di conoscenze su allevamento al naturale, panificazione, cucina, caseificazione, norcineria, edilizia, orticoltura.

  • Projects involving children

    Projects involving children

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

  • Help

    Help

    We are looking for help from people or families, for gardening, housekeeping, cooking, maintenance work, construction works, handcrafts, animal care (goats, chickens, pigs, dogs, children 😄 ….), wood cutting etc…. I am available to teach farm activities (milking and cheesemaking, bread making……)

    Help is required preferably for periods not too short.

    We welcome people who are creative, self-motivated to work, willing to talk and share life, and self-discipline and love to stay in nature.
    We expect a work commitment of 4 hours per day, 5 days a week. But we usually have a flexible schedule on managing Workawayers, so we can talk to find a comfortable arrangement for us.
    When texting us, it’s better for you to mention which tasks you are particularly interested in or what talents you have! This helps us to better understanding you :)


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    Cerco aiuto da persone o famiglie per giardinaggio, pulizie domestiche, cucina, lavori di manutenzione, lavori edili, artigianato, cura degli animali (capre, galline, maiali, cani, bambini 😄…), taglio della legna, ecc. Sono disponibile a insegnare attività agricole (mungitura e produzione di formaggio, panificazione…).

    L'aiuto è richiesto preferibilmente per periodi non troppo brevi.

    Cerchiamo persone creative, motivate, disposte a parlare e condividere la vita, con autodisciplina e che amino stare a contatto con la natura.
    Ci aspettiamo un impegno di 4 ore al giorno, 5 giorni a settimana. Tuttavia, di solito abbiamo un orario flessibile nella gestione dei Workawayer, quindi possiamo parlarne per trovare un accordo che vada bene per entrambi.
    Quando ci contattate, è meglio che menzioniate i compiti che vi interessano particolarmente o i vostri talenti! Questo ci aiuta a capire meglio di voi :)

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    Italian: Fluent
    Chinese (Mandarin): Fluent
    Chinese (Cantonese): Fluent
    Japanese: Intermediate
    French: Beginner

    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.

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    The hospitality consists of two rooms, one with a sofa bed and a single bed, a room with a single bed. We use wood heating for the winter. Shared bathroom and kitchen. Possibility of camping in the summer and the early autumn.
    We prepare ingredients for the volunteers. Usually we cook together for lunch and dinner. Most of the time we are in vegetarian based dinning, but you can buy meat for yourself.
    The supermarket is on the town, that you can reach by driving 5 minutes or walking 40mins.


    Hot water shower are not provided for everyday because we use woods to heat up the water, but we will try to arrange some times per week
    We are eco friendly family, so we do not have some civilized home appliances, e.g. Wifi, washing machine, refrigerator, etc
    There is a laundry coin machine on the town.


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    L'alloggio consiste in due camere, una con divano letto e letto singolo, e una con un letto singolo. Utilizziamo il riscaldamento a legna per l'inverno. Bagno e cucina in comune. Possibilità di campeggio in estate e all'inizio dell'autunno.
    Prepariamo gli ingredienti per i volontari. Di solito cuciniamo insieme per pranzo e cena. La maggior parte delle volte proponiamo un menù vegetariano, ma è possibile acquistare la carne autonomamente.
    Il supermercato si trova in paese, raggiungibile in 5 minuti di auto o 40 minuti a piedi.

    Non disponiamo di docce con acqua calda tutti i giorni perché utilizziamo la legna per riscaldare l'acqua, ma cercheremo di organizzarle alcune volte a settimana.
    Siamo una famiglia attenta all'ambiente, quindi non disponiamo di alcuni elettrodomestici moderni, come Wi-Fi, lavatrice, frigorifero, ecc.
    In paese è presente una lavanderia a gettoni.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    This host can provide space for campervans.

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    Nella fattoria tutti gli animali sono liberi, è bene parlare al telefono riguardo eventuali animali da ospitare. In the farm, every animals are free. It's good to talk by phone about the pets to host.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • My animals / pets

    My animals / pets

Host ref number: 525598317436

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