Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
16 May 2023
Feedback
12
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
Large and varied finca (farm) in rural Spain, close to the coast, airports, trains, mountains & villages as well as the awesome Catalonian cities like Barcelona. Developing a permaculture, organic, self-sufficient, off-grid, ecological and a wildlife haven. Goats, chickens, 2 dogs and many geckos!
After many years planning, we moved into our farmhouse 2018 and still have much to do and little in the way of luxuries. This will NOT be home away from home for sure, it is NOT a holiday but an exchange opportunity for those wanting to experience living a minimalist life but one rich in health, variety and well-being.
There is a self contained Casita (small house) for volunteers and will benefit from more development this year, which you would be part of. There will be power, shower, cooking and water supply, I´m putting these in for Spring, early Summer.
I had a long career as an IT specialist in London but now spend my days farming, making cheese and fostering nature in any way I can. For sure, you'd never be bored and would gain life skills and a great experience. Our ethos is about caring for our World by doing what we can locally, working hard, enjoying life, not harming others, being independent and building a centre of excellence for permaculture - with your help!
Now this is important, it can be really busy here and mature, experienced and strong helpers will fit right into the daily routine and the many challenging projects. Remember, it will be you that needs to adapt to the finca routine and methods, not the other way around.
I am keen to provide learning opportunities, but simply don't have time for full time teaching or providing entertainment for those who are mainly out to just have fun! Good luck to you but for our needs, that won't work :)
While here, you will learn a lot and hopefully enjoy it a lot but be realistic about us and yourselves. Read this profile carefully and ask if you have questions before booking a place. This will help manage expectations and you will have a more rewarding visit.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
English, some German and of course, Spanish.
This farm is about building a centre for Permaculture, the first in this area. There are many important life skills from this ethos alone but we'll also pass on our skills and knowledge of farming, animal care, ecology and building practices e.g. how to build a straw/cobb shelter or dry-stone building.
Depending on preferences, we would encourage you to join us exploring and enjoying our part of Spain and in your own time, borrow a mountain bike, hike the hills, swim in the nearby sea or explore local villages.
Help
Depending on the season, we tend to work within temperate periods i.e. not during the hottest times of the day! We'd much prefer to do short periods of focused work and then rest and enjoy life.
You'd have very clear instructions, only enough supervision as needed, work across farm activities as appropriate to your abilities, learn from us and others we spend time with e.g. off-grid group workdays.
We are safety conscious, work within limits and skills, set reasonable expectations and appreciate self motivated and exceptional people who will help make this finca special.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: IntermediateThis 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
There is a small casita up on one of the terraces for workaway accommodation.
We are completing facilities this year for full independence.
Can provide for a vegetarian diet but usually include our own organic chicken or goat meat, 3 meals a day.
What else ...
We are several kilometers from nearby villages and off-grid as far as public transport is concerned. However, from our local town, there are very good bus & train services. We are only 40km from Reus airport also and 100km from Barcelona. We have a mountain bike for your use.
Being in the hills, there are hundreds of pathways to explore and even our own finca is 12Ha and offers abundant walking and exploration.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
There is good mobile data coverage.
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (5)
I felt confident to leave Karim with complicated and challenging tasks, which he performed well,… read more
I learnt many valuable things, both in theory and practice, and I was also left alone running activities while David was out a few days. The work was… read more
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.8)
Cultural exchange:
(4.4)
Communication:
(4.6)
I felt confident to leave Karim with complicated and challenging tasks, which he performed well,… read more
I learnt many valuable things, both in theory and practice, and I was also left alone running activities while David was out a few days. The work was… read more
They moved lots of stone and helped build drystone walls.
They cleared wood from terraces higher up the valley and learned the value of this resource.
They learned the full lifecycle of goats and chickens, the importance of self-sufficiency and moving away from mass produced,… read more
During her two week stay, Lilly moved large amounts of goat manure and learned how to make compost.
She moved large amounts of firewood and learned how to store wood and the value of it.
She loved caring for the goats, dogs and chickens, learning farm animal behaviour and welfare.
She joined in preparing meals,… read more
He was great with staying in only a tent and taking cold showers ;) It was not particularly warm either.
Anyway, from his background, this was quite a shock and he picked up ideas and concepts very well.
Permaculture and rural living was a long way from Lima, so well done Diego and thanks… read more
