Learn about mountain sheep farming and shepherding in the Mölltal in Kärnten, Austria

Austria

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14
Last activity
21/09/2019
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150
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Availability

2019

Min stay requested: at least 1 month

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Description
NEWS: Louis (22) will be the farmer beginning February 2019.

Natur and Animal Lovers wanted!!! Migrant shepherd has settled down in the Mölltal in Kärnten.

We like to host people interested in sheparding and the traditional life on a mountain farm in Austria .Günther is a seasoned migrant shepherd with a herd of over 200 sheep, that we take care of year around. During the seasons we like to share with you the live of a shepherd in the Austrian Mountain world and introduce you to this magic world in the mountains. At the same time we restore two farm houses and manage our garden and fruit trees during the season. To give you some inside into our schedule for this year the following:

February: We prepare the stall for the for the lambing season and start making fire wood for the next winter

March: This when the new lambs are born and need to be paired with the mothers. All lambs need to be marked and the claws need to be trimmed. At the same time we start to grow seedlings for our garden and expand our gardens. We collect fallen branches from trees and cultivate our berry bushes. General maintenance of all pastures and drive ways.

April: The herd is taken to the pastures and additional lambs are born and need to be taken care of. At the same time we work in the gardens and around the house.

May: We mainly work with the herd and fence the pastures and rotate the pastures. The garden is worked on and composting is started.

June: Now we take the herd up the mountain to the summer “Alm”, where they stay for the summer. The Alm is a remote cabin on top of the mountain, where no cars can go.

July: The Herd is still at the Alm and down in the valley we start harvesting the first fruits and make hay.

August: The herd is still on the Alm and at the farm we make hay and prepare the garden for the second planting. We harvest a lot of fruits, make jams and conserve fruits and vegetables for the winter. Cutting fire wood, to prepare for the winter.

September: By the end of September the herd returns to the Farm and we continue to harvest fruits and vegetables which need to be conserved.

October: Now we stay at the farm and keep the herd during the mating season on the lower pastures. At this time we sort out the lambs that will stay for breeding and the once that will be sold. During this time we work on the houses and buildings as well to prepare for winter.

November: Now the season is almost over and we prepare the stall for winter, while the herd is grazing on the lower pasture near the farm. This is the time when we maintain our equipment and make repairs to the building

December: This is the quiet month and the herd is mostly in the stall.

January: Again a quiet month and the herd is mostly in the stall.
Type of help
Gardening
Building
Babysitting / child care
General Maintenance
Cooking / shopping
Farmstay
Help in the house
Animal care
Help with Computers / internet
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You will experience the traditional life on an Austrian mountain farm ,that still has most the tool and equipment in place,that farmers used to life a life of self sufficiency in the Austrian mountains.You will learn about mountain farming ,while living in an area that offers year around glazier skiing,rafting,Canyoning and many other outdoor activities on your days off.
Help
In the coming month,Günther will take the herd up into the mountains and will stay there for the summer. During this time we work on the stall on the farm on maintenance and repair, make fire wood for the winter and plant in the gardens and take care of our fruit trees.

During spring and summer we like to update our web site as well and make the old Farmhouse ready for the winter. Anybody who would like to join our team for a minimum of 2 weeks and longer is welcome to share with us skills in gardening,building or animal care.

We are a working farm and take care of several hundred animals around the clock and prefer experienced volunteers that can work with little supervision.
Languages spoken
German,English
Accommodation
We have guest rooms and plenty of outdoor space ,if you like to camp outdoors.Internet is available in the main house for moderate use.
What else ...
The Mölltal is an out door paradise !!! hiking,biking,swimming in a near by lake ,wake boarding in the summer,rafting canoeing,skiing and trips via bus to near by towns and cities.The bus stop is within walking distance.
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Photos

the Alm from a distance

summer on the "Alm",this is where the large herd spends the summer

view from the old house

Show all photos

view from the new house

old house and stall that we renovate at the moment

stall and new house

the arge herd in March

Feedback left by and about host (14)

30/06/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Michael)

So Michael. Er spoke about all i had to tell you about the great time i had with you. I am really happy to have you in our place. So every other host can be Happy to have a man and a help like you on their farm. Wish you all the best and hope to see you again sometimes.

(Excellent )

07/11/2017

Left by Workawayer (Linda) for host

I spent 3 weeks in august with Susanne, Günther and Arthur, in the farm and in the alm.
It was amazing.
They are hardworking, happy and very spiritual persons, ready to share much much if one wants to receive it.
It can be hard work, but rewarded by beautiful human/animal experience, and beautiful sceneries. :-)
Thanks.

(Excellent )

24/10/2017

Left by Workawayer (Timofei & Alexandra) for host

We spent on this sheep farm three weeks. It was our first experience in workawaying. And we are very glad that Gunther and Susanne were our first hosts. First of all it's a great opportunity to be in calm and relaxing enironment, especially after living in city. Work (usually we did fencing and made firewoods) is not hard, but in case of fencing… read more

(Excellent )

31/05/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Aron)

hi aron; we even liked your being here on our arm making so different works and being so polite.

(Excellent )

30/05/2017

Left by Workawayer (Aron) for host

I spent little more than five weeks there, it was a beautiful experience in a beautiful place with beautiful people. The life of Susanne and Günther is very inspiring. I recommend this place for everyone who likes mountains and nature.

Thank you!

(Excellent )

09/04/2017

Left by Workawayer (Alexandra) for host

It was an amazing time!
Everyone who is keen to be out in nature, to work with sheep, to learn a lot about farm maintenance, wood working and a lot more couldn't choose a better place!
Günther and Susanne are lovely hosts who always want you to be happy. They really taught me a lot for my life! It was really hard saying Good Bye and I hope I'll… read more

(Excellent )

11/10/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Tina)

Tina. Er were so happy about the time you spent here with us. Not only about your very good work you did on the farm and also in the Mountains. We all were very sad when you left. We hope to see you again.

(Excellent )

11/10/2016

Left by Workawayer (Tina) for host

This was my first workaway and it was my first time i went from home on my own. Günther, Susanna and Arthur are very nice familly and very kind people and others workaways who were there were also very nice.
I had spent almost three weeks with them and i didnt want to leave.
As workaways before me wrote the work was sometimes easy and… read more

(Excellent )

16/09/2016

Left by Workawayer (bert) for host

I had an amazing time with Gunther, Suzanne and the other workawayers.
They are both fantastic hosts.

The balance work / free time is perfect. The work is diversified, like fencing on the alm and different chores on the farm in the valley.

Like some other posts here, sheperding is hard work and their way of life is an eye opener. I can… read more

(Excellent )

14/09/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (bert)

Bert. We were so glad to have you here. Not only because of your good work even of your personality we liked very much.

(Excellent )

04/09/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Dominic)

thank you Dominik for your help and our very nice time, you might come back whenever you like to :) Susanne & Gunther

(Excellent )

04/09/2016

Left by Workawayer (Dominic) for host

I was here the first two weeks of June and had a great time. Lots of hard but rewarding work for a beautiful family in a beautiful and peaceful location. The mountain farming experience is an eye opener to human capabilities and was truly inspiring to see people, like Susanne, Gunther and Arthur, thrive in such a seemingly steep and hard place.

(Excellent )

15/08/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (paolo)

Paolo. You are a multitalend. Shepherding, building, cooking, play with our son,.......it is so good to have you with us.

(Excellent )

15/08/2016

Left by Workawayer (paolo) for host

I spent more than a month here and it was definitly a positive experience. Susanne and Gunther are friendly and helpful host and people with a Lot of different experiences and interests. Works can be very different from day to day, sometimes hard but... mountain farming is hard. Recommended for mountain lovers.

(Excellent )

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Host ref number: 749171467469

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