Building an ecological/self-sustainable finca in the South of Spain

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: No minimum

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    Hello everybody, I'm Petra from the Netherlands. Since 2012, I have been living in Spanish-speaking countries. In the autumn of 2018, I bought a 4-hectare piece of land called in the small and charming village of Fuenteheridos in Huelva (Andalucia). It is situated in the Sierra de Aracena y picos de Arroche.

    My little ecological forest/farmland is filled with chestnut trees, (cork) oaks, pine trees, an orchard, a small vineyard (over the terrace), two vegetable gardens (winter/summer), different fruit trees and bushes, many herbs and flowers, birds and bees in spring, chestnuts and wild mushrooms in autumn, and many other things.

    I live in a small house with a drilled well, a small bathroom, and for visitors/volunteers, there is my campervan (a pink old VW LT 35, with quite a good bed). I also just bought an old caravan that will be another guest house. Volunteers with their own vehicle or camper/caravan can also stay here. There is an electricity pole outside on the parking space and we have water facilities.

    My short-term plans include constructing an outdoor fully functioning bathroom for visitors (Almost finished!! With thanks to some workawayers), pimping the guest caravan/VW van, and making a better working and better-looking plumbing/irrigation system and keeping the orchard and vegetable garden organized and producing all year round.. Long-term plans include a sauna, a tree house, keeping bees, making natural artworks, a music/yoga dome, etc.

    At the moment, I'm doing most things on my own, which I love, but it gets heavy at times (advantage: free gym!). Sometimes, if my wallet allows, I contract people to help, but I mainly try to exchange hours for hours and live self-sustainably. I have many nice ideas and dreams I would like to fulfill here, and hopefully, you can come over for a while to help me and at the same time enjoy your stay in this beautiful, peaceful, and versatile part of Southern Spain.

    I'm an overall energetic and positive person with many hobbies like football, training an indoor futsal girls team, playing padel, making music/singing, cooking, traveling, and more... Besides I´m very interested in everything related to self-sustainability, nature, creativity, spirituality, and (natural) therapies. I have a 3,5 year old son, who loves visitors! Besides playing, he loves helping with everything on the finca. During week days he goes to pre-school in the mornings.

    Interested in coming over for a bit? If you like to work hard, are physically fit, and enjoy a veggie meal, then don't hesitate to contact me. I have space for one or two volunteers at a time (or a small family: in consultation)!

    FOR NOW I WOULD REALLY BE HAPPY WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS CONSTRUCTION KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE!! ONE THAT IS STRONG AND CAN HELP US REBUILD/IMPROVE THE GUEST CARAVAN / VW VAN AND SOME OTHER SMALL ROOFS.

    BESIDES THAT, A HAND IN THE VEGETABLE GARDEN/ORCHARD IS ALWAYS NEEDED: WEEDING, PREPARING THE LAND, SEEDING, PLANTING AND OVERALL MAINTAINANCE.

    Love to hear from you!

    Petra

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Farmstay help
    Babysitting and creative play
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
  • 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

    As a foreigner living in Southern Spain I find it fascinating meeting new people, getting to know the culture and participating as a member of their society. We can share stories about our countries, languages (I am also a licenced language teacher), alternative medicine (I've studied Psychology, Traditional Chinese Medicine (acupuncture) and Family Constellations) and travelling (I've travelled a lot since I was 18 years old and would love to hear your experiences).

  • Projects involving children

    Projects involving children

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

  • Help

    Help

    At this initial state I mainly need strong arms, people with knowledge and experience in (bio/eco) construction, (veggie) gardening, pruning, forest maintenance, etc.

    Helping in the house (cleaning and/or cooking) or spending time with my child (almost 4-year old boy) is also welcome.

  • Languages spoken

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

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    As I haven't been able to build more housing yet, you would sleep in my quite comfortable and cozy camper van (with access to my bathroom, which has a separate entrance from outside). If you have your own van, I have an even parking space made especially for visitors!

    We will cook and eat lunch together (whatever suits us time-wise), with food mostly from the land. Lunch is the main hot meal in Spain. I’ll provide food for three meals a day and basic drinks, obviously, as you're here to help, but due to our schedule it is probably easier to have breakfast and dinner separately. However, if you have specific dietary preferences, require special items, or enjoy particular foods and drinks that I don't regularly have, you are welcome to bring whatever you need!

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    If you're arriving here by public transport, there are usually two direct buses a day to and from Seville (Plaza de Armas) - Fuenteheridos (village centre). Timetables can be found online (though they can change). You should take the bus towards "Rosal de la Frontera" and inform the driver that you wish to disembark at Fuenteheridos.

    In the area, there are numerous enjoyable activities to partake in. These include rural/low mountain hikes, biking, climbing, sightseeing, exploring the beautiful cave in Aracena (Gruta de las Maravillas), attending concerts, festivals, markets, and more.

    Of course, during your free time, you are also welcome to simply relax at the "finca" and unwind with a book or any other leisure activity you prefer.

    Please note that I may have certain obligations outside of the finca from time to time, so we won't be required to spend every second together—no worries! You'll have plenty of time to explore on your own and do whatever you like.

  • 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

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    If you need internet for your online job, I do have a wiFi connection. It´s not bad considering it´s a ¨radio-system WiFi¨. Let me know in advance what kind of job it is, so we can see if the internet provided is suitable for your situation!

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    Max. 6 meters long (access by a short, sandy road)

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    Two

  • ...

    Hours expected

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

Host ref number: 527738963468

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