Help a family living off-grid in Soriano nel Cimino, Viterbo, Italy

Details

• 

  Description

  We are an Italian/Dutch family creating a self sufficient, off grid eco house on our Hazelnut farm.
  We have a preference for established couples and families with older kids.

• 

  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  General Maintenance
• 

  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We are a very creative family with a lot of different skills and interest. We can show you how to cook vegetarian and at times vegan, Italian and Indian cooking, for example how to make the famous Italian “Pizza Bianca”, south Indian “Idli’s” or explain the basics of sourdough and bread baking.
  We love to make music, so feel free to bring your own instruments, but we have some that you could use while staying with us. We also make our own guitars and other stringed instruments from recycled materials.
  We have lived as a family in Italy, in the Netherlands and in the USA and therefore we speak all 3 languages.
  We are trying to live off grid (i.e. solar power) and off the land as much as possible but, when we do have to buy some groceries, we try to buy as much as possible local produce and in-season fruits and vegetables.
  Some of our other interests and skills range from Reiki, to edible and medicinal spontaneous plants and herbs, to Tarot, to Astrology, to Art, to creative writing, to making fabric dolls, to sewing and to reading: we have loads of books in 3 different languages that you are free to read.
  
  We are located in Soriano nel Cimino, in the province of Viterbo, in the Lazio region, less than an hour north of Rome, in the “triangle” where Lazio, Umbria and Tuscany meet. It is just eight miles from the A1 autostrada motorway that travels between Milan, Florence and Rome. There is also a train station with trains to/from Rome and Viterbo. It is about an hour drive to the beach.
  
  The small town developed at the foot of the Orsini Castle (XIII century), located on top of a hill, overlooks the Tiber valley on a side, opening towards the Central Apennines, and on the other side it is mounted on the Mount Cimino. Its good position on top of a hill (509 metres above sea level), the mild climate, the healthy fresh air of the woods, its history, traditions, together with the exquisite hospitality and the natural beauty that surrounds it, make Soriano nel Cimino the ideal place where to spend a pleasant stay and a calm holiday all year round.
  The Mount Cimino (1053 metres above sea level), with its centuries-old and shady chestnut trees, the wonderful and majestic Faggeta that surrounds it on the top is the ideal destination for those who love nature and tranquility. The history starts far away, as traces of settlements of various ages show: from prehistory, to the Etruscans and the Romans.

• 

  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

• 

  Help

  We need help in the period from mid March till mid November.
  
  There are different projects and work depending on the time of year, the weather and the needs of that specific moment.
  For example: in early spring we need help with the pruning of the hazelnut and olive trees, while in May there are the cherries that need to be picked, cleaned and transformed in various products. Then mid August till mid September we collect the hazelnuts manually. And in October the collecting of chestnuts and olives.
  
  There are some ongoing, routine activities such as cooking, cleaning, de-weeding, watering the plants, cutting and sorting out wood, etc; and at times we might need help with construction and restructuring work.
  
  It is expected that you have an ability to adapt, you are versed into working and collaborating with other people, don’t mind sharing resources and spaces.
  Previous experience in farming, recycling, woodworking, building and plumbing are welcome, but not necessary.

• 

  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Italian: Fluent
  Dutch: Fluent

  This 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

  As accommodation we can offer you a place to sleep in the yurt, guests do need to bring there own sleeping bags. Or you can place your own tent in our field.
  We all share the same bathroom/restroom facilities and we use composting toilets.
  Hot water is solar powered hence it’s not always available, and in limited amounts, also in the colder months you need to be able to operate a wood stove.
  We cook vegetarian food and when possible from our own field, we would prefer it if you would not bring alcoholic beverages.
  Pets are currently not allowed (while we love animals, we have animals ourselves, including several cats and two dogs who might not like to share their ‘territory’.
  We have pets (cats, dogs, hens, bees) and there are also wild animals roaming the land (especially at night) and insects. Please consider this information before deciding to come visit us, especially in cases you are affected by allergies for animals or for dust.

• 

  A little more information

  • 

    Internet access

  • 

    Limited internet access

  • 

    We have pets

  • 

    We are smokers

  • 

    Can host families

• 

  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

• 

  Hours expected

  Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Feedback (1)