Portugal
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Hello! I bought a quintinha in the beautiful mild Oeste region of Portugal in May 2021. Come help me turn it into a permaculture homestead. The farm has 7.5 hectares of orchards, pasture and wild forest. It was abandoned for 10 years so there is a ton of stuff to do, but also I like to keep a pretty relaxed pace to enjoy the process. As of now, I have one awesome dog, 2 cats and 3 sheep, and I will soon be adding chickens. Everything done on the farm is with thought to sustainability, both in the design of the homestead, and with the products consumed.
I started welcoming workawayers last November and have had a wonderful time hosting interesting people from all over the world. I volunteered with workaway myself during my travels, so it is super cool to host other volunteers now. I usually have between 1 - 4.
About me, I am a 44 year old woman. I left my career in corporate America at 41 to slow travel to interesting places around the world and create a more meaningful life for myself. All that led me here, to my little farm.
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
You can learn about permaculture, building a homestead, and caring for different kinds of animals, and cooking from scratch using whole ingredients. I prefer to host volunteers that are interested in these things. I spent 2 years traveling and using Workaway on and off before I bought my place, so we can share travel stories. I can help you with English if you are learning. I also speak Portuguese and understand Spanish (intermediate for both).
Help me with land clearing and tending, making paths, and figuring out good permaculture solutions. Pruning trees. Starting a garden. Building things from the scrap lumber and metal and other things the previous owners left. Some of it is still partially buried in the yard, so it’s like a treasure hunt. Creating a 'store of found things' from the treasures.
Also caring for the animals, and introducing new animals to the farm. I am learning as I go, so it will be great to have others to share the experience with. Tending the garden.
Other things: Harvesting fruit, Turning the small orchard by the house into more of a food forest, Helping me improve my Portuguese.
I occasionally take short trips, during which the volunteers look after the quintinha and animals.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
Portuguese: Intermediate
This host offers a language exchange
I would love help in improving my Portuguese. I can help with English.
Volunteers stay in either a shared room with 2 single beds, or one with a double bed for couples. Bathroom is shared with other volunteers and any guests that stop by. You are also welcome to camp if you like. The stars are nice out here and there are some pretty views. Folks in caravans are welcome too.
We can share meals as much as we like. Typically we break around midday on workdays and prepare a hearty shared lunch. And the pantry is always open. The food is vegetarian (includes eggs and dairy), and I try to make it as unprocessed and sustainable as possible. There are also many cafes and restaurants in the nearby town that serve the usual fare (3km).
Everyone is to pitch in on cooking and cleaning. I love trying new dishes, and am happy to make some of my favorites. We usually focus on cleaning one day a week, and everyone is expected to tidy up after themselves on the day-to-day. Volunteers are expected to keep their rooms tidy and clean, as well as the shared bathroom.
I provide shampoo, conditioner, soap, and q-tips, so you can leave those things at home if you like. I also make homemade deodorant which you are welcome to as well.
Life at the homestead is pretty chill. Looking for volunteers who are also chill, with good energy and a sense of humor and adventure, as many of the things we will be doing I will be doing for the first time as well. I prefer to host volunteers that have an interest in living sustainably and enjoying the relaxed pace of farm life. This is a great place to let your stress go and just be.
Workawayers are welcome to stay between 2 weeks and a month initially, and possibly longer if it's a good fit.
What to do with your free time - There are a ton of nice views around here, perfect for walks. Feel free to take the dog with you:-) I also have a bike that you can use. Naps in the sun when the weather is nice, which is more often than not. The nearby town is pretty and has plenty of cafes and a nice park.
The beaches and surfing of Peniche are 30 minutes by car. I can usually be talked into making a trip there on days off. Lisbon is 45 minutes by car or bus.
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Wi-Fi is by a 4G sim router. It’s speed varies but it is usually good enough for video calls. There are also a couple of cafes with decent Wi-Fi in town.
This host can provide space for campervans.
Yes! My dog Balto loves it when other dogs come to visit.
Two
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
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Accuracy of profile:
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Cultural exchange:
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