Join our family and help create something that matters in South Alentejo, Portugal

Details

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  Description

  Welcome to a small regenerative family homestead in the deep, quiet countryside of Southern Alentejo, Portugal.
  
  This is not a tourist destination. There is no beach around the corner, no busy market, no nightlife. What there is: red earth, cork oak forests, dark skies, the sound of goats in the morning, and a family creating a meaningful life close to nature.
  If that sounds like relief rather than sacrifice – read on.
  
  Who we are
  
  We are Kerstin, Artur and Joah (9). Kerstin is a holistic health and nutrition consultant, which means food here is prepared with great care and intention. Artur works as a web designer and enjoys bringing creativity and structure to both our daily farm life and digital projects.
  
  Together we live on 2 hectares with goats, donkeys, chickens and a young syntropic food forest. We make raw milk cheese, yogurt and kefir, and we're slowly growing a place that reflects our values of regeneration, simplicity and community. One day we hope to create a retreat center that welcomes families from around the world. Right now, we're enjoying the real, beautiful and sometimes muddy middle of that journey.
  
  We've watched The Biggest Little Farm more than once. If you have too, you'll probably understand why we're here.
  
  Who fits here
  
  Families are especially welcome—Joah would love the company, and children tend to thrive in this environment.
  
  We also welcome singles and couples who genuinely enjoy becoming part of family life for a while: sharing meals, conversations and everyday experiences rather than simply passing through.
  
  We appreciate people who bring a skill, a craft or a curiosity and enjoy sharing it. Joah learns through a global self-organized learning community with a project-based, child-led approach. He loves bushcraft, nature, electronics, science, art and making things. If you enjoy mentoring children through shared interests while experiencing life on a regenerative homestead, this can be a very special place.
  
  Above all, we value kindness, openness, reliability and a willingness to learn together.
  
  The work
  
  Your daily tasks may include:
  
  - Caring for goats, donkeys and chickens
  - Helping in the syntropic garden and food forest
  - Assisting with cheesemaking, yogurt and kefir production
  - Seasonal gardening, planting and general homestead care
  - Sharing your own skills and ideas where they naturally fit
  
  The exchange
  
  2 hours/day – Self-catering. You prepare your own meals and can purchase fresh farm products from us, including raw milk, eggs and cheese.
  
  4 hours/day – Full board. Homemade meals, dairy products, eggs and seasonal vegetables are included.
  
  Your space
  
  You'll stay either in a cozy Tiny House. A beautifully converted caravan with its own bathroom, hot shower, electricity and cooking facilities. This offer a peaceful space to relax and enjoy the surrounding nature.
  
  Food
  
  Food is an important part of life here. Kerstin's background in holistic nutrition shapes what we prepare: mostly gluten-free, refined sugar-free and based on whole foods. We bake sourdough bread and cook with our own raw milk, eggs and seasonal vegetables.
  
  For volunteers choosing full board, meals are part of the experience—simple, nourishing and prepared with care. If you're curious about this way of eating or have specific dietary needs, we're happy to talk.
  
  A typical day
  
  The day usually begins around 8 a.m. with the animals. The goats are milked, paddocks are rotated, chickens and donkeys are fed, and everyone gets the care they need. It's a calm, grounded rhythm that follows the seasons rather than the clock.
  
  After the morning round, we enjoy breakfast together.
  
  Depending on the time of year, the rest of the morning is spent caring for the garden, food forest, animals or other seasonal homestead tasks. During the hot summer months we work early, while in autumn we enjoy planting season and harvesting olives in the beautiful Alentejo landscape.
  
  The afternoons are usually free for resting, exploring the area, reading or simply enjoying the quiet surroundings.
  
  In the evening we care for the animals once more before settling into family life. Afternoons and evenings often include creative activities with Joah or spontaneous adventures in nature. On weekends we love walking through the countryside with our donkeys and goats—one of those simple experiences that many visitors remember long after they leave.
  
  An honest note
  
  The Alentejo is one of Europe's last genuinely quiet places. If you're looking for constant entertainment, this probably isn't the right stop.
  
  If you're looking to slow down, reconnect with nature, work with your hands, learn about regenerative living and become part of a welcoming family for a while, this place may be exactly what you're looking for.
  
  Please note that this is a private family homestead and not a commercial project. We are not seeking support for any business-related activities.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Teaching

  Light gardening

  Creative DIY projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Babysitting and creative play

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  Light maintenance

  House & pet sitting
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  Interests

  

  Sustainability

  

  Pets

  

  Self development

  

  Farming

  

  Plant care

  

  Music

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Books

  

  Art & design

  

  Photography

  

  Gardening

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Blogging

  

  Drawing & painting

  

  Astronomy

  

  Animals

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Nature

  

  Camping

  

  Outdoor activities

  

  Hiking

  

  Cycling
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We enjoy the exchange with other people. We are open to new cultures and languages and share the knowledge we have acquired over the last few years while building our dream life. It would be especially great to learn English or Portuguese from you. If you are interested in holistic health knowledge, Kerstin can teach you a lot. Among other things, she is a medically certified nutritionist, works with essential oils and is very good at taking a holistic approach to life's challenges

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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

  Why we're on Workaway & what we're looking for
  
  We're not on Workaway simply because we need an extra pair of hands.
  
  We're here because we genuinely enjoy meeting people from different cultures, sharing everyday life and learning from one another. Some of the best conversations happen while milking goats, tending the garden or preparing a meal together. That's the kind of exchange we value most.
  
  We're interested in getting to know you beyond your stay. If we connect, we'd love to keep in touch. Perhaps you'll return one day, stay a little longer or become part of our journey in another way. The place is growing slowly, and meaningful relationships are at the heart of that vision.
  
  More than volunteers, we're hoping to meet future friends.
  
  During your stay, you may be involved in:
  
  - Morning and evening care for our goats, donkeys and chickens
  - Caring for the syntropic garden and young food forest through planting, mulching and seasonal maintenance
  - Helping with milking and making raw milk cheese, yogurt and kefir
  - Seasonal gardening and general homestead care
  - Harvesting olives in autumn—one of the most beautiful seasons in the Alentejo
  - Sharing creative activities, nature exploration, science, art, electronics or practical skills with our son Joah, if that feels natural and enjoyable for you
  
  Experience is much less important than curiosity, kindness and a willingness to learn. We'll happily share what we know and hope you'll share your own interests and talents with us as well.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  German: Fluent
  English: Intermediate
  Portuguese: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  Wed love to learn english and portuguese
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  Accommodation

  We have a small tiny house, which is a converted caravan with an attached bathroom. Depending on availability, we can also offer it for workawayers. We also have a tent and an outdoor bed. A shared bathroom and a simple outdoor kitchen are available.

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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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  Can host digital nomads

  Depending on which provider you use, the Internet connection is usually good. In bad weather, the connection may be a little slow.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  The plot is flat and can easily be driven on with a camper or caravan. If you have a very high car, e.g. a world tour vehicle, we should clear this individually, as an old cork oak grows on the driveway. Very high lorries may have difficulties with this.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  We should clarify this on an individual basis, but it is generally possible. It depends on the animals that come to visit.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  My animals / pets

  Goats, Donkeys, Chickens, Dogs, Cats

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