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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
29 Apr 2025
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100.0 %
Usually responds within 16 days
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Details
Description
We usually prefer long term stays but short stays are sometimes possible for people with the right skills. Part-time arrangements (staying a few days per week or per month) are also possible for people living locally. Experience with gardening, animals, carpentry is ideal.
We don't smoke, drink alcohol, or use drugs and appreciate the same in others.
We produce organic vegetables and eggs for local consumption, with a focus on training people in sustainable food production. Our second cottage was previously used for farmstay guests and in the future will be living space for long term community members.
We primarily need help with gardening, animal care, carpentry, maintenance/renovation of buildings; this can include taking care of the whole farm when we are away. The work may also include domestic household duties, cleaning, organizing, interacting with visitors, etc. Some prior experience is preferred.
If you have an interest in things like growing and preserving your own food, regenerative agriculture, market gardening, homesteading, permaculture, pastured poultry, horsemanship, carpentry, creating sustainable communities, eco-tourism/education, we would like to hear from you!
We are a married couple ages 53 and 66, living on a small farm in the famous Vienna Woods outside the city. One partner is an Austrian artist/graphic design teacher and one an American farmer/musician. The American half of our partnership is certified in ecological horticulture from the University of California Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, and ran an organic farm in California, hosting farm volunteers for 15 years before moving to Austria.
We are working to restore our historic property with a modern twist on its origins; as a small demonstration farm to teach and inspire others towards more creative, artistic, and sustainable living based on regenerative agriculture. Part of our goal is to create a small community here.
Besides the two human residents the farm currently includes 50 chickens, 1 horse, 4 cats; plus ever-expanding organic fruit and vegetable gardens, forested hillside, two cottages and outbuildings, and a tiny house/cabin. In 2025 we are adding/renovating living space at a separate location in Vienna for future community members, while helping an elderly family member who is currently living there.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Elderly Companionship
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
House sitting
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
For people hoping start their own small farm, homestead, or market garden, the experience is particularly valuable since the same methods taught by the University of California Agroecology apprenticeship are taught here, but without any tuition expense!
This is a good opportunity to expand your ecological farming skills in a hands-on environment, while experiencing life in a historic mini village in the scenic Vienna woods (Europe's oldest planned public green space). This tiny village of 10 houses was originally established by the Austrian government after World War 1 as an experimental cooperative farming community, like an early eco-village. Today the individual houses are privately owned and no longer a farm co-op, but still surrounded by thousands of acres of forest land that will never be developed and is open to the public for hiking.
The location is ideal as a countryside home base for touring the city of Vienna and all of central Europe affordably. Located in a very scenic area in the first foothills of the Alps. A quiet peaceful area where you can listen to birdsong and see the stars at night, but only 45 minutes by car from central Vienna.
Help
Self motivated, responsible people with experience in rural living, gardening, carpentry, and animals will fit in well here. Prior experience is preferred as farm-sitting for short periods when we are away is sometimes needed.
Stewardship of this little farm does involve hard physical work and requires being in good shape! There is always lots of gardening; weeding, watering, clearing brush, making and moving compost, harvesting and preserving garden produce. Also animal care, stall cleaning, fence repair etc. We have 1 horse, poultry (usually around 50 chickens, sometimes ducks), and 4 cats. Old buildings require constant maintenance and repairs. Being handy with tools is important. Cleaning and domestic chores can be part of the work as well.
When we are at home the schedule is flexible and can be arranged so that you can travel part of the time. This is normally 25 hours help per person/per week. When we are at home, there is more flexibility with scheduling work hours and days off. At times when we are away, you would need to be on site most of the time and take full responsibility for garden and animal care.
Languages
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: FluentThis 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 is usually a separate recently renovated tiny house/cabin with a loft bed for 2 people, electricity, wifi, kitchenette, shower and compost toilet. There is a wood stove for heating during cold weather. Sometimes a bedroom is available in the shared living space. During summer we can sometimes host an additional person or couple in an outdoor campsite or a private room in an outbuilding.
We provide food supplies for you. You will be responsible for preparing your own meals. Shared meals are sometimes possible depending on our schedules. If you have special dietary restrictions, it’s probably ok but please discuss your needs with us ahead of time.
What else ...
It's ideal if you can come with a car but also possible without. The closest train station is about 10 km from here. The city boundary is a 10 minute train ride. We have bicycles you can use, and can sometimes take you by car to the train station or into the city. Public transportation in Vienna and from there to other cities in Europe is very good.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
The wifi connection is pretty reliable but not high speed. It is normally fine for zoom, skype, watching videos etc. If you need to upload very large files it can be difficult. Mobile phone connection is also patchy here.
Space for parking camper vans
Smaller campervans are possible but we don't have a flat parking area for larger vehicles. Please tell us the size of your vehicle in your inquiry.
Can possibly accept pets
This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (7)
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They were really nice and kind and they gave me everything I needed, making me feel at ease since the firts day.
I spent there such a wonderful time. The cabin was super nice and I loved… read more
Wendy and Veit were extremely kind with me and my little Emily. We had a wonderful time there.
I have learned a lot of… read more
the place has such good energy, the history, the woods, and the animals made such a great combination.
we will definitely love to come back!
we learned about how to create good compost and greenhouse!!!!
the cabin for the helpers is beautiful and very… read more
