Learn about self-suffiency on our farm in Ballydehob, Ireland

Details

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  Description

  Hi! My name is Jerilyn and ten years ago, I rocked up to a landscape largely untouched here. I am a 70 year old mam with my youngest daughter and her partner living on the land throughout the summer. There's an annual vegetable garden I grew out of no-dig straw bales, and eventually mulched with local wood chips to integrate mycelium and beneficial insect populations for a self-sustaining source of vegetables. Chickens were then introduced to transform garden waste (and waste produced by two restaurants in my small village) and produced on-farm fertility for these annual vegetables. The garden continues to serve up gorgeous vegetables 12 months of the year and is also the test plot for a range of perennial vegetables. These will team up with a massive variety of largely native trees and shrubs to become a dynamic, versatile growing system known as a food forest. I cultivate a family herd of Gloucester Old Spot pigs, a rare heritage breed that were endangered. They are unmatched in their ability to thrive off of garden and food waste, making them the perfect traditional cottage pig to recycle the abundance here and the whey byproduct from a local cheesemaker. Our heritage, primitive breed herd of Shetland sheep are small and robust, producing the most stunning wool your fingers could touch in a variety of colours. The farm is not a business, but an effort on our part to supply all of our own food, while helping to save some of the rare heritage breeds.
  
  We usually start around 9:30 with some coffee, tea and a bite to eat and then get to work around 10. We usually do tasks for 4 hours a day. There is plenty of water, tea, coffee and snacks to keep us going! We then stop for a nice hot meal. Then it’s off to the sea nearby to wash off and get re-energized! We try to help on the house 4 -5 days a week.
  
  Camper vans and vans are very welcome. You are welcome to join us for meals (mainly vegetarian), or we can provide food for you to prepare for yourself. We will have a kitchen set up and available for you. It is about a 25 minute walk to town and about 45 minutes to the beach, so a car would be very handy. Great pubs and plenty of music is to be had in our little village, and you are spoiled for choice with cafes and restaurants!
  
  Pets are OK as long as they get along well with other dogs and cats, and are respectful of the farm animals.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  General Maintenance

  House sitting
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Volunteers will be able to learn about sustainable farming with the intention of becoming self sustaining as well. You will have the opportunity to experience life in a small Irish village of less than 300 people with a vibrant music and foodie scene! We have a Michelin star restaurant, and great cafes and restaurants.

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  Help

  There will be opportunities to also in the vegetable garden, take care of farm animals, help us with the food forest, etc.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent

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  Accommodation

  Tent, and caravans are welcome

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  What else ...

  We are in the heart of West Cork. Beautiful beaches, stone circles and pubs!

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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

  This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  Plenty of room to park a car or van or camper van.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  Pets welcome, but must get along with other dogs and cats and be respectful of farm animals

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  My animals / pets

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