Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
16 Apr 2024
Reply rate
65.5 %
Usually responds within 6 days
Feedback
14
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Badges (2)
Details
Description
*****PLEASE NOTE: unless stated that there are any beds available, we are only welcoming people with their own tent. I have beds available and once they are all full people can still come in their own tent/van.
Beds availability:
March - 0
April - 0
May - 0
June - 0
July - 0
August - 0
September - 0
IMPORTANT: we are inundated with requests and will only be responding to those who have clearly read our whole profile and are specifying the time period *****
After six years in London, I decided to move back to Florence, Italy, where I was born and take care of some abandoned fields that belonged to my family. We have olive groves, which make an amazing extra virgin olive oil, lavender fields and bees as well as a vegetable garden. The produce is mostly for self-sufficiency purposes, but we'll also be using it to host dinners + a series of meals organised with local producers and chefs to promote organic, sustainable and healthy food.
Our entire production is organic, following sustainable and low intervention agricultural practices. We practice yoga on our wooden platform in the fields - and from time to time we host yoga retreats/days. In Spring/summer we usually put on a variety of events (dinners, picnics, aperitivi, concerts, etc) where people can come and experience the farm.
We aim to promote Tuscan agriculture and in general, a sustainable approach to agriculture as well as to our everyday life. We make organic and sustainable products - extra virgin olive oil, lavender beer, lavender essential oil and honey - as well as dinners, tastings and workshops where people are able to meet the producers/learn more about sustainability/learn more about food/wine and how it’s made.
I have a lot of ideas and projects for the future, this is why I always emphasise that I want to convey “oneness” or a sort of coming together of many things - because I want it to be a place of exchange, where people are encouraged to bring their own ideas and to leave their mark. What’s beautiful about our place is that once you’re here, you feel like you’re in the open countryside, but you’re only a 10 minute drive from the city centre.
Collaboration, attention and care for the process, the notion that everything is interconnected and so are we - as humans, as animals - to the planet, to other animals.
#freepalestine
#blm
#btlm
if any of these ^ is a problem, please don't come :)
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Here you can learn about Italian , and more specifically, Tuscan culture, our food, and our lifestyle. You can discover all the endemic plants and herbs and you'll be able to relax surrounded by olive groves, go for walks on the land or in the surrounding areas. On weekends, if I have time we can go for short trips around Tuscany, discovering the Chianti wine region, the incredible Val D'orcia, natural hot springs and when it's nice weather go to the seaside! I am an avid sourdough baker and I LOVE cooking, so do expect to be eating a lot of my creations
Mostly, as I have written before, if any of this sounds a bit like your dream too, or something that you have thought about before, you'll be able to really leave a mark. I listed the help I know I will need, but nothing stops me / us from coming up with new ideas. If you have some knowledge and skills that you think could be helpful in a setting like ours, please feel free to share! I am always open to new perspectives, new projects, new ideas
Help
In general, I am looking for people that can
- farmwork: cut, weed, fertilise, move, plant, prune
- build things /DIY/ carpentry
- tend to the vegetable garden
- help during our events
+ anything that needs doing around the farm.
I need people who are able to work independently without being assisted in every step, ideally someone who has already been on a few exchanges and knows what they are doing, and can take initiative. I expect people to work hard and get dirty, that is the reality of working the land. I trust volunteers to get tasks done without someone checking on them. Even if you have never been in such an environment before, all I need from you is enthusiasm and eagerness to learn, no fear of getting your clothes dirty (you might want to bring some work clothes if you don't wanna ruin your usual clothes).
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Italian: Fluent
Accommodation
You will either stay in our campervan or you can bring your own tent/van. This will depend a lot on when you are coming / what's happening, so do get in touch and I can give you more concrete info. There is a toilet we built and an outdoor shower that you can use.
Lunch and Dinner will be provided. I will be cooking lunch for you and we'll be using this time as an opportunity to come together and talk about the to-do's for the days, get to know each other better, share impressions, etc, etc. (Please note - if you decide to go and explore places you'll have to arrange your own meals as I don't have the capacity to prepare packed lunches etc). We share dinner once a week and the rest of the time you are free to cook for yourself with the ingredients your kitchen is stocked with.
We are plant based but not vegan nor vegetarian - we eat meat usually once every two weeks, bought from local producers we know and trust. However, most of our meals are vegetarian, usually vegan, so we welcome vegans and vegetarians and if you're staying with us, we will adjust our recipes so that you can eat everything. don't do dairy except for some really good artisanal cheese here and there. We avoid all processed food and soda, etc. We only drink tap water (and wine;) and beer;). We are unable to accomodate people with allergies / special diets due to the risk of cross-contamination etc. We are a small reality so all meals are cooked together in the same space; for similar reasons, we are unable to accomodate picky eaters. The ingredients we provide you will be reflective of our own diet, so feel free to supplement with other things if needed.
Please note we are unable to host digital nomads or anyone requiring a workspace/stable internet connection. You are of course welcome to bring your laptop and use a portable wifi system or work in the many cafes in the city centre (can give you recs!).
What else ...
It feels perhaps redundant to add this, but our home is open to all those who are actively engaged in the unlearning of the many harmful dynamics that pervade our society. Discrimination, ego-driven people, hate or violence of any sort will not be tolerated.
There is a bus stop right in front of our gate that takes you straight into the centre of Florence in about 15 mins, ticket is 1.50 euro. There you can visit many museums or just stroll around the city, it truly is an incredible place. I can give you all sorts of recommendations for bars, restaurants, etc. If you are not coming with a car, you can also take buses and trains to other nearby cities and towns, or we can organise trips and go all together in my car!
We try to reduce our waste as much as possible (and fight against agromafia) by avoiding supermarkets and relying primarily on what we can grow and what local producers around us offer. You will be eating food that's grown where you are, in Florence, sometimes in other parts of Tuscany, always in Italy.
Before getting in touch, please make sure you have read all of the above and please please please make sure to clearly include in your message what your skills are, your past experiences and anything else that might be relevant. As previously stated, we are inundated with messages and only reply to those providing the necessary info.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
You can set up in a field. Message me and let me know about your vehicle and let's see what we can do
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
5 hours / day
Feedback (7)
Carlotta is a very inspiring woman, that is always full of energy, cooks very healthy, delicious meals and was all in all a great host! She also had the best recommendations for cafes, restaurants and other things to… read more
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Carlotta is a very inspiring woman, that is always full of energy, cooks very healthy, delicious meals and was all in all a great host! She also had the best recommendations for cafes, restaurants and other things to… read more
She was a super welcoming host who went above and beyond to make our stay as fruitful as it could be. Carlotta loves to chat and is very open, and willing to get to know you when staying with her. Her enthusiasm for Italy and Tuscany is evident, and she is really passionate… read more
