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30 Aug 2025
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Description
I am a biologist on a five year sabbatical to focus on sailing and developing my 4 hectare farm with a holistic yet pragmatic view. i have always been interested in the idea of self sustainability, and I am taking the time to put into practice a few concepts that hopefully will make the farm self sustaining and profitable in 8-10 years.
All our projects are of domestic scale for now, but maybe one day, we will produce enough to set up a small stand on the side of the road.
The farm is my lifelong project where I hope to grow old in great health and even better company. Now I am able to focus a little more on Permaculture, gardening, bread-making, painting and bird-watching.
So far I have identified a few species that resist the many plagues of the coastal tropics. Although we still buy most of the produce for the table, we are growing (and eating) a few species of fruits and vegetables. It is a long and slow beginning!!
Rain water harvesting> We have built rain gutters which allow us to collect 7500 l of water on a rainy day. We use this water for watering plants and filling up our cistern.
Food Forest>. We have planted dozens of fruit trees in the flatter areas of the farm. Now We are sculpting a portion of sloped land using the “Berm & Basin” method. This method, was taught to us by volunteers Joelle and Thomas from Switzerland. This method will help us prevent erosion and make the best of passive irrigation in the development of a food forest. Starting and maintaining a food forest is an ongoing project.
Coffee patch: I started a coffee patch 14 years ago. The plants were stunted due to lack of rain and the constant attack of leaf cutting ants. It seemd hopeless for a long while but this year, they have grown a lot and have started to produce beans. I look forward to my first cup of coffee by 2024
I am also preparing to plant a pumpkin, zucchini and melon patch in late 2023.
There are many nice projects coming along, I also own a guesthouse minutes away from the farm, right on the beach, and the idea is, to eventually produce fruits and vegetables and provide great meals for our guests.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Hospitality/Tourism
General Maintenance
Interests
Sustainability
LGBTQ
Events & social
Self development
Movies & TV
Farming
Charity work
Plant care
Books
Cooking & food
Gardening
Languages
Writing
Drawing & painting
Adventure sports
Hiking
Water sports
Sailing / Boating
Mountain
Dancing
Beach
Fitness
Camping
Nature
Yoga / Wellness
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
travelers who wish to practice their Spanish or their English may benefit from helping here.
Las Tunas and Ayampe are places where locals appreciate and welcome people from all nationalities. You would have a chance to share your free time with very gentle and friendly people. The best restaurants in the county are here in Las Tunas.
Also, the surfing culture is alive and well. Bring your board or rent one in town! Surf and kayak lessons available in town. Diving excursions and certification available in town.
The gastronomy of this province is the most famous of Ecuador. The main port town of Puerto Lopez is only 15 min away, here you may always find fresh produce, including great seafood.
Help
Gardening: a kitchen garden is an ongoing project, ever changing, as the seasons. This coming year, we would like to start again a bean section with your help.
Artisanal Beer making: we will be starting our third season of artisanal beer brewing in early November. We are planning to experiment with some hops seeds too!!
Help with the chickens and turkey: I have downsized my chicken coop to only 3 hens and 3 turkeys. The hens are over a year old and don’t seem to be laying eggs any more. The turkeys are only 3 months old.
General maintenance: fence repair, weeding, fire wood cutting, carpentry, fixes and repairs.
Agricultural landscaping. I am applying the Berm & Basin idea in order to take advantage of gravity for irrigation as this technique also helps prevent erosion. The berms will be used to create a food and fine woods forest.
It is required that you keep your room clean and orderly, and help keep common areas clean and clutter free.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
French: Beginner
Accommodation
Private room in the main house. Double bed with canopy mosquito netting. Reading lamp. Windows with mountain views. Shared bathroom w running water.
WiFi. Drinking water. Access to the kitchen and grill.
We do NOT offer MEALS at the moment. The vegetable garden is just started and there is a little arugula and a couple sprigs of cilantro, but not enough to survive on it just yet.
No tobacco smokers.
What else ...
Las Tunas is a small coastal town where life is simple. Our farm is 350m from the beach. Las Tunas is well known for surfing with several good beach breaks. Ayampe is renown for birdwatching all year round. Within walking distance there are a variety of restaurants and inexpensive eateries. There is superb mass transportation with busses running north and south every 30 min. The bus stop is two blocks away. The hip towns of Montañita and Ayampe are 30 km and 9 km away.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
The farm has fast internet. It is fiber optic, surprising for such a remote place. So, I do not offer food yet, the farm only produces tangerines, papaya, passion fruit and aloe vera and you can have your fill during season, but not much more yet. In exchange, one or two workawayers may share an airy, bright and spacious room with fast internet. The farm is two short blocks from one of the best sandy beaches in Ecuador. Las Tunas beach is known as a SURFING destination.
Space for parking camper vans
Yes, there is room for a camper van, but not for a large motor home.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
6 hens
They are not pets, I’m hoping they’d will start laying eggs in two more months
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