Help our family create and expand an organic farm near Lake Constance, Germany

  • Favourited 661 times
  • Last activity: 23 Mar 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least 3 weeks

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    Thank you for your interest in our project! We are a family with 4 young and lovely kids (*2010, 2013, 2015, 2021) and have opened this farm in 2018. Kai is a climbing arborist and landscaper with additional training in permaculture design and geomanthy. Almut is a medical doctor specializing in F.X.Mayr Medicine and Anthroposophy. Our long held dream is to lead a rural life and create a healthy, holistic and self sustainable farm, an intact microcosm within the oftentimes torn macrocosm of today to serve the earth and the times and generations to come. It is a big dream and a huge project to be realized step by step, and we will need many helping hands along the way.

    We are still at the beginning of our journey and the the agricultural systems of our farm are not yet fully set up as planned. We invite you to join us to witness how it all starts and evolves.

    We currently keep a flock of sheep (Montafoner Steinschafe) as well as a large flock of chickens (Bresse Gauloises). We aim to one day manage the entire life cycle of the animals, including breeding and hatching, giving them a long and happy life laying many eggs, to finally slaughtering right here on our farm. This is to be able to supervise every step of the process to ensure quality, but it's also what's best for the animals.
    We also have many fruit trees (ca. 2 tons of apples a year) and a market garden for vegetables which we want to expand to 2000 square meters.

    We aim to build our farm according to the principles and techniques of Permaculture and Regenerative Agriculture, which means being not only sustainable but actively building up soil, plant life and environment.

    As a family we have a huge workload and complex enterprise to manage. We still have to sort out many background routines to get things going smoothly, and not everything is quite perfect yet.

    Work / hours:
    We welcome you to share our home, life and work with us fully!
    This means: By inviting you to enjoy everything we have to offer, we also expect you to take part in everything our life offers us regarding our daily work. Usually our working hours on the farm are 5 hrs a day (we ourselves often work longer hours, and everyone is always welcome to join in, of course). As our volunteer you have two free days every week (Saturday and Sunday, usually), but keep in mind that our animals need to be taken care of every day. For a single person this comes out to about 1 to 1.5 hours a day and gets much less if more people work together.

    Food / Meals: 
    As a family with young children, we prefer to have only one meal a day with our volunteers to protect our family's need for "privacy" and rest time during the day. Ergo, we provide for one warm meal a day. For breakfast and dinner we will supply you with healthy ingredients to make your own meals.

    High quality and environmental responsibility are crucial to us:
    We usually eat only our own, biodynamically grown vegetables, nuts and apples. What we need to buy in addition (grains i.e.) we try to get in biodynamic quality (Demeter) and if possible from local farms. We have a list with a range of products that we provide for in addition to our own crops.
    For additional, individual shopping, there are shopping facilities within reach by bike or we can organize transportation / passing by.

    Facilities:
    If needed, a bike can be borrowed from us. Also our washing machine. We can provide for bedsheets, blankets etc. but we apreciate a sleeping bag too.

    Free but slow internet access via LAN / ethernet cable. If you have a laptop without LAN input, consider bringing an adapter.


    Our projects' guiding motto put in one sentence is: "Healing work on earth, plant, animal and man (and woman :-)" 

    The name of our farm as well as of the hill it is situated on – means "mountain of senses". We envision it to become a place to (re)gather energies, heal and flourish, for getting in touch with one another and oneself and the realms surrounding and supporting us for reorientation and inspiration.

    Our complete guiding motto translated:

    "As conscious human beings we want to shape and enliven our surroundings, considerate towards one another and mindful of the dignity of the place, together with all beings who live here and with the involvement of the earthly, spiritual and cosmic forces. We want to work out a structure that lives through diversity and relationship which allows to live and experience the connectedness of all being - of all beings with each other - thus creating healing, in the awareness of the need for action and healing of the present time."

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Art Projects
    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Farmstay help
    Babysitting and creative play
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
    Help with Computers/ Internet
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Volunteers can get to know our family and the amazing region of Lake Constance. There is also much to learn for anybody interested in farming, animal husbandry, craftsmanship and more. Our approach to farming is beyond organic and sustainable, combining the concepts of Permaculture and Regenerative Agriculture.

  • Projects involving children

    Projects involving children

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

  • Help

    Help

    All kind of help is needed and appreciated!

    # In the area of buildings, farmyard, grounds: Different projects of construction and maintenance in various trades: woodwork, welding, plumbing,
    # Family and housekeeping: We have four lovely children and appreciate help taking are of them, cooking and maintaining the house hold.
    # Animal husbandry: Cows, chickens, quails, sheep, ducks and cats so far
    # Farm help in fields and gardens
    # IT, fundraising, publicity, research (permaculture, soil fertility, agroforestry etc.)
    # Enliving the place with art, music, humour and play ... the place and its beings will be gratefull! (I play the Cello myself)

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    German: Fluent
    English: Fluent
    Spanish: Fluent
    French: Intermediate
    Japanese: Beginner
    Russian: 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

    Various possibilities depending on availability: one single room, one room with three beds and one room with two beds and private bathroom. Space for a tent. Shared full kitchen facility and very large common room with a wonderful view and fireplace.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    Public transport can be reached in 15min by foot. Other infrastructure and shops are in 40-60 min reach by foot, about 15min by bike.
    Lake Constance and its surrounding area is a favored holiday region, very picturesque and with abundant possibilities for recreation and adventure. There are many well organized and touristic attractions, natural beauty and cultural features.

  • 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.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    4-5 hours, 5 days a week, 2 days off (except basic animal chores)

Host ref number: 591795458378

Feedback (18)



Feedback

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Accuracy of profile: (4.7)

Cultural exchange: (4.6)

Communication: (4.7)






















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