Help in a children's farm in Northern Italy

Italy

Favourited 544 times

Host rating
Feedback
32
Last activity
17/09/2019
Reply rate
100.0 %
Average reply time:
within 3 days
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2019

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Description
---- UPDATE 26-03-2017 ---- we are looking for workawayers for May 2017 -----
May is the month with the most visits from schools, almost every single day!
Are you interested in helping? Shoot us a message!

Our farm is located in the middle of Padana Plain, in the Northern Italy. It's very close to the rivers Po and Oglio and also to the UNESCO world heritage cities of Mantova and Sabbioneta. It is also about 45 minutes away from Verona and Garda lake.
Our family has been conducting this farm for more than 100 years now.
In the last 15 years we have been focusing on didactic activities for children.
It's a small family now but there are still a lot of nice things to do, guiding the children through the farm for the different projects, feeding the animals, helping Nonna Rosa with the vegetable garden...

Unfortunately we don't speak English but we speak fluent Italian, a bit of French and some rusty German.
Nevertheless we require you to speak at least some basic Italian in order to be able to communicate with la Nonna (our grandma)!
Type of help
Gardening
General Maintenance
Farmstay
Help with Eco project
Help in the house
Animal care
Language practice
Art project
Help with Computers / internet
Teaching
Help
At our farm you can help with our vegetable garden, feeding our animals (chickens, a cow, goat, dogs, ducks...), managing our website or helping with the general maintance of the farm.
Also, during Spring and Autumn, many schools are coming so that the children can experience some genuine farming life and see where the food they are eating everyday is coming from.

We would like to organize a treasure hunt in our wood. You are welcome to help and share ideas!

We can host up to two people, and we can provide free food and accomodation. We can't guarantee cooking but we can give you food and we have a kitchen that you can use.
Languages spoken
Italian, French, German, basic English
Accommodation
You'll have your own room in an independent flat with hot showers, kitchen, living room. WiFi is available.
What else ...
Within 15km there are the UNESCO world Heritage cities of Mantova and Sabbioneta, while other places such as Verona, Lago di Garda, Cremona or Ferrara are not far.
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
4/5

Photos

Alev and Billa

Feedback left by and about host (32)

23/04/2019

Left by Workawayer (Helen) for host

Sì, il tempo in fattoria con Vanni è stato meraviglioso per me come un vecchietto. Le cinque settimane con Vanni e i bambini. Che si tratti di bambini in età scolare o all'asilo, è stato bellissimo. Cuocere il pane è molto facile e gli occhi dei bambini come faccio io. La gioia quando le capre venivano a correre e ai bambini era permesso di dar… read more

(Excellent )

23/04/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Helen)

Helen è rimasta con noi un mese; ha collaborato in tutte le attività della fattoria didattica con grande partecipazione; entrava facilmente in rapporto con le maestre e i bambini delle scuole.
Ci ha lasciato un ottimo ricordo e speriamo di rivederla ancora quando tornerà in Italia.
Grazie.

(Excellent )

26/05/2018

Left by Workawayer (Carolina) for host

Una bellissima esperienza da imparare in fattoria con i bambini. Il posto è bellissimo, molta pace. La famiglia ti fa sentire a casa e Vanni ti spiega e ti insegna con molta pazienza.
Ho imparato molto italiano!

(Excellent )

24/04/2018

Left by Workawayer (Robson & Natacha) for host

La Corte Galvagnina era nostra casa per un mese. Vanni, Virginia, nonna Rosa, Maurizia e Billie (cagnolino) sono una famiglia incredibile. Ci sentiamo parte di questa bella famiglia.
Io e Natacha abbiamo piaciuto tantissimo di aiuture con la fattoria.
Di solito dal Lunedì al Venerdì arrivano i bambini con il pullman, dove se imparano tante cose su… read more

(Excellent )

11/08/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Klara)

Klara è stata una bravissima ospite della ns fattoria; ha partecipato ad ogni momento delle attività. E' riuscita ad addomesticare due piccole caprette molto timide ! E' una ragazza buona, tranquilla e molto intelligente. Le auguriamo tanti buoni viaggi e un bel futuro per la sua vita !

(Excellent )

29/06/2017

Left by Workawayer (Klara) for host

Vanni and his wonderful family made me feel so welcome! He made sure I was always involved in the days activities and I got to experience working with children, handling small animals, riding on farm vehicles, and bread-making! Vanni was essential in helping me improve my very basic Italian and was always there to make sure I was happy and… read more

(Excellent )

11/08/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (camilla)

Camilla è stata una ospite molto motivata e interessata alla nostra attività con i bambini delle scuole. Ha preso parte a tutte le attività della fattoria : gli animali, il bosco , il vigneto, i bambini e le maestre, ecc.......... . Ha collaborato volentieri insieme a Klara, un'altra workawayer inglese presente in quel periodo.
E' una ragazza… read more

(Excellent )

10/08/2017

Left by Workawayer (camilla) for host

I was very lucky at my first Workaway. Vanni, Virginia, Maurizia and Grandma Rosa are people with great heart. I've been to this beautiful farm for 40 days (May and June). From Monday to Friday had children in primary and maternal schools. The work was not hard, it was very empty for me. I drived the tractor (thanks for Vanni's confidence). I… read more

(Excellent )

29/06/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (ALEXANDER)

Alex è una bella persona: intelligente, preciso, disponibile, serio ma con grande senso dell'umorismo.
Ha partecipato con interesse e passione ad ogni attività della Corte Galvagnina. Entra in rapporto facilmente con tutte le persone.
(Ci ha lasciato le sue scarpe, forse per tornare a riprenderle !?! )
Con lui abbiamo avuto un'ottima esperienza.… read more

(Excellent )

26/06/2017

Left by Workawayer (ALEXANDER) for host

I had a wonderful typically Italian, educational and rewarding few weeks with Vanni and his lovely family at Corte Galvagnina. It was exactly the type of thing I was hoping to find through workaway.
Vanni is an intelligent man with a passion for history and his region. He is a very calm chap with a great sense of humour and a generous nature.
The… read more

(Excellent )

25/04/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Eléa)

Heléa e Axel, una coppia unita e affiatata, disponibile e molto interessata a tutto ciò che succede nella fattoria.
Auguriamo un grande futuro, in bocca al lupo.
Buona vita.
Vanni e Famiglia Corte Galvagnina

(Excellent )

03/04/2017

Left by Workawayer (Eléa) for host

Tre settimane eccezionali con una famiglia straordinaria in un posto bellissimo !
Grazie per tutto !!

(Excellent )

31/10/2016

Left by Workawayer (Malgorzata) for host

Similar to some people here - it was my first experience with Workaway and it couldn't be better! I've spent two great weaks with Vanni and Famiglia (La Nonna Rosa, Maurizia, Virginia and Billy the dog that I really fell in love with:).

Corte Galvagnina is a great place, surrounded by nature, full of history (the trattoria was built in XVII… read more

(Excellent )

05/07/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Marja)

Maria è una persona solare e' stato un vero piacere averla nostra ospite. Ha partecipato con entusiasmo a tutte le attività'. UN GRAZIE DI CUORE

(Excellent )

02/07/2016

Left by Workawayer (Marja) for host

L’ospitalità della famiglia è stata benissima! è una fattoria autentica e molto bella. Vanni mi ha insegnato tante cose. La fattoria e la storia d’Italia sono le sue passioni. Vanni e il suo moglie abitano in una città vicina. Tutte le mattine i bambini sono venuti alla fattoria.
Ho anche aiuto la Nonna Rosa nella cucina. Lei è molto carina! Ho… read more

(Very good )

01/06/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Gabriela)

Gabriela è stata una ottima workawayer . Ha partecipato a tutte le attività della fattoria con interesse e disponibilità. Ha avuto un approccio positivo con i bambini e con le insegnanti. E' una persona molto sensibile che si è inserita bene nella famiglia, in particolare con zia Maurizia e nonna Rosa. Le siamo riconoscenti e la ringraziamo… read more

(Excellent )

28/05/2016

Left by Workawayer (Gabriela) for host

Era la mia prima esperienza con workaway e mi piacuto molto a stare per tre settimane da Vanni e famiglia.
Ho dato un mano a Vanni con i bambini che vengono sul pulman ogni giorno. Poi ho potuto aiutare una volta a fare legno, ed al vigneto, ed anche in orto. Il lavoro non era mai faticoso.
Mi piacuto anche molto a vedere il entusiasmo dei… read more

(Excellent )

15/07/2015

Left by Workawayer (Matthew) for host

Grazie mille Vanni, Maurizia, e Nonna Rosa! Sono stato nella fattoria per un mese, e stato una vero esperienza Italiana. Ho aiutato Vanni con la studenti che vengono ogni giorno durante la estate. Guidavo la trattore, avevo dato una mano quando la bambini preparato la pasta per fare pane, ho cucinato il pane nella forno di legno, e giocato e… read more

(Excellent )

05/06/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Matthew)

Matthew è un ottimo ragazzo; disponibile, molto sveglio e intelligente, impara subito le cose da fare; è simpatico e ha un feeling particolare con le nonne (nonna Rosa); ha anche grande capacità a entrare in rapporto con le maestre ed anche con i bambini;

(Excellent )

06/07/2015

Left by Workawayer (Ryuhei) for host

Ciao a tutti!!! Per cominciare anzitutto la ringrazio della Sua gentilezza!!! Grazie a voi, ho potuto fare tante esperienze prezioso. Per esempio, ho toccato con i animali, ho fatto grissini con la farina e ho potuto vedere la città bella come Mantova. Poi Avete accolto me sempre come la tua famiglia. posso ritornare a portare benissimo… read more

(Excellent )

05/06/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Erik)

Erik è molto attento a capire la situazione in cui si trova; è stato molto interessato alle scuole che sono arrivate alla fattoria; credo che abbia apprezzato la semplicità della vita contadina; ottimo elemento, molto preciso e ordinato; bravo pilota di trattore.

(Excellent )

03/06/2015

Left by Workawayer (Erik) for host

Ciao a tutti. I stayed almost 2 weeks and I had a superb experience! Every day there were schools and classes visiting the farm. So the main job was to support Vanni during the day teaching the classes the Fattoria life.. Kids were shown where grain is coming from and were getting the idea and feeling how to make bread.
I was lucky enough to… read more

(Excellent )

01/04/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Eleanor)

(Neutral )

04/09/2014

Left by Workawayer (Peter) for host

I spent 2 weeks in Cesole in August and I was made to feel very welcome by the family. Unfortunately because it was summer there were no school trips, but the work was not too difficult. Vanni has a real passion for his work and loves to explain all aspects of life on the farm. Lunch was always delicious and there was never a problem with food… read more

(Excellent )

06/08/2014

Left by Workawayer (Alev) for host

I was so lucky to spend 3 amazing weeks with this family at their farm house in July 2014. It was my first workaway experience, and it couldn’t have been better! The family is extremely kind and very friendly, very helpful all the time. You have your own room and kitchen, which are clean and comfortable. The kitchen is always full of delicious… read more food thanks to lovely Virginia.
Your responsibilities here include doing light maintenance work which you can imagine easily what it would be like at a family farm house (such as planting, pruning, helping with small tasks), feeding the animals (there are cute rabbits, a small friendly dog Bebbi, chickens, two cows), and helping Nonna Rosa (she is possibly the sweetest Italian grandma!) and gentle Maurizia in the kitchen or in the lovely vegetable garden. The work you do is really light, and it felt like was playing a sort of game for me, I had so much fun being close to nature, picking food from the garden and help cooking them for lunch, or feeding chickens/rabbits while admiring their cuteness…
It was summer time when I went there, so the schools were closed, and I wasn’t able to experience that didactic part of the farm with school children, but I’m sure it would also be so much fun.
The communication and organisation run perfecty here thanks to Vanni. He explains patiently and kindly all aspects of life at the farm in an interesting and informative way. You will also have pleasant conversations about Italy, Italian culture and life in general with all members of the family, and they are always willing to help you with your Italian. I learned lots of new words thanks to them! :)
The family is so kind as to drive me to the train station, so that I could travel around at the weekends, then picked me back. I am so thankful about it. They also took me to Mantova a couple of times and Sabbioneta to visit these historically and culturally important locations.
There is wi-fi working fine, so you’re easily connected with the rest of the world :)
In short, I felt like a part of the family from the very first moment of meeting them and spent awesome time at the farm in a peaceful environment. I am so thankful to this lovely Italian family!
If you also love working in nature, are interested in learning about Italian kitchen (for example, we made very delicious marmalade with the apples and pears from the garden, also different types of Italian crackers and grisini, as well as preparing jars of vegetables for winter ), love animals, wish to practise Italian, are willing to learn how things work at a farm, this is definitely the right place for you.

(Excellent )

06/07/2014

Left by Workawayer (Johannes & Anna) for host

We had a nice time being at Corte Calvagnina. Especially the work with the children we enjoyed a lot. Every group is different and so is every day. During days where there were no kids, we usually helped out Vanni with getting tasks for the farm done (e.g. cutting wood or feeding the cows). In general Vanni is really flexible concerning the… read more

(Very good )

29/06/2014

Left by Workawayer (Terhi) for host

I had a great time with all the people working and visiting the farm! During my stay there was every day a school class visiting the farm and learning new things - making bread and seeing animals and gremlins. And being with the kids offered great circumstances for learning italian!

(Excellent )

29/03/2014

Left by Workawayer (Cameron) for host

I cannot recommend this workaway highly enough to anybody who is looking to work hard but reap the benefits that the family are always willing to share with you. Lunchtime conversation is always lively with Nonna Rosa, and whilst we did work a lot Vanni's approach is never hurried and he explains all aspects of farm life as he goes. The work is… read more

(Excellent )

18/11/2013

Left by Workawayer (Nina) for host

We had a wonderful two weeks at the farm! Even though we didn't speak italian, when we got there, Vanni patiently explained a lot of things to us about the life on the farm. It was very interesting to make things such as cheese, bread and wood (for the stove) ourselves. We recommend this place to anyone who loves nature and wants to learn more… read more

(Excellent )

01/11/2013

Left by Workawayer (Paula) for host

I've learned and experienced so many new things that I just don't know where to start...
I stayed at the farm this october where mainly arrive schoolclasses to learn something about wine, corn or milk.
Like the children also I experienced how to make ricotta, helped to produce juce out of grapes and tasted the first time in my life "Polenta",… read more

(Excellent )

13/10/2013

Left by Workawayer (Felicia) for host

In this italian family you feel as part of the family from the first moment. Vanni invest a lot of time to show us how beautiful the nature is and how you can live in it - and with it. We had wonderful (mostly own harvested!) food, freetime and nice trips to some festivals.
The most impressing were the words of Vanni: " i do not want you to work… read more

(Very good )

22/09/2013

Left by Workawayer (Lisa) for host

Vanni and his Family is really welcoming.
I learned many interesting things (e.g. making your own paper).
The nature arround the farm is beautiful.
I had a really great time with Vanni and his Family.

(Excellent )

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Host ref number: 581889962211

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