Norway
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It is serious and strange times. We stick to all recommendations from the government, but if you are able to come we are looking for a volunteer. If so you will get a house for yourself on the farm.
I am a 33 year old architect running our old family farm. We got a beautiful place here, with historical buildings and gardens, fields, pastures and diverse forest, along Norway's largest lake Mjøsa, close to Oslo. I love to share it.
I continue to develop the farm in a positive, social and sustainable direction, with care for both the heritage and the natural environment.
Regarding climate change, biodiversity and land use, the farm is especially interesting. Here you live with the seasons, from our dry snowy winter to the warm and fertile summer, to everything in between. The seasons shape and give rythm to life and work.
I want workawayers to experience some of these changes and therefor invite people to apply for one of three periods:
August-October, summer to autumn:
In this period we bring the sheep down from the mountain communal summer pasture and start strategic rotational grazing on the different pastures on the farm. Fences must be in order. We harvest from the garden and prepare the farm and the food storage for the winter to come. In August it is still warm and nice to take a swim in the large lake.
January-March, winter to spring:
The cold crisp winter covers the farm in deep snow. The winter cleanses and resets everything. Working outside in the relative short days, with their colorful sunsets at 4 is an unique experience. We heat ourselves with wood stoves and the making of firewood for next winter. The sheep and pigs must be cared for every day. Our production of high quality birch timber demands some nice forest work in this dormant season.
April-June, spring to summer:
The lambing is an intense, energizing and beautiful time. You come close to life and death. In the end of May the sheep finally and playfully get new, fresh grass. Some lambs always continue to need special care and bottle feeding. We prepare the fields and the garden with many different plants for the new season and bring the sheep to the mountain pasture for the summer. The spring 2020 we are restoring and enlarging a pond, focusing on habitat for the endangered warty newt.
Gardening
Building
General Maintenance
Cooking / shopping
Farmstay
Help with Eco project
Animal care
Art project
We offer the possibility to learn about our special farm and way of farming, combining new and historical methods, developing sustainable agriculture, with care for heritage and nature. Learn about farming, craft, architecture and land use, and experience the joy of physical farm work. As hosts we will do our best to create a learning environment and provide work so you will both be challenged and get tasks that you can manage and take real responsibility for. On some special days we plan workshops focusing more directly on the sharing of knowledge. I would also like to facilitate if you got your own project (or an idea) that you need time and space to work on, and will benefit the farm or community in some way. Please specify if you want this. I got knowledge in many areas of sustainable agriculture and architecture, and are happy to share.
The farm is a nice place to have sparetime, with diverse nature, hiking trails and a pier by the lake. We got a canoe, bikes and fishing equipment.
Type of work vary through the season: caring for the sheep and pigs, lambing, making firewood, fencing, gardening, general maintenance, food conservation, and depending on your skills and interests: building and restoration projects, nature/biodiversity restoration, craft and design. If you got any special interest or skills please let us know. Everyone are expected to contribute in the farmwork, but let me know if you are interested in my architecture, curating and art practice as well.
Most people come here to learn specifics about our farming, and volunteering here is at its best if that is what you are interested in. We prioritize people who have or in some way are planning to have agriculture as part of their life.
The work will not include cooking or cleaning for us, only for your own household.
English and norwegian
You will get your own guest room in a separate house. Bathroom, kitchen and living room will be shared with 0-3 other volunteers, depending on the season.
Easy to get here by train from Oslo, Trondheim or the international Oslo airport Gardermoen.
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
More than two
max 25 hours a week
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