Profile information
Host rating
90 %
Last replied
22 Apr 2024
Reply rate
93.3 %
Usually responds within 3 days
Feedback
39
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Details
Description
A young permaculture farm located in the foothills of the Chirripó volcano in Costa Rica. Good place for relaxing and observing nature. The farm is not too far from a small pueblo so there is plenty of Costa Rican culture. We aspire to have an esticaly pleasing and productive farm as a demonstration for local population.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
There are opportunities for Spanish language learning and experiencing rural Costa Rican culture. Exchange organic gardening techniques and think about permaculture.
Help
We are looking for a farm hand/ manager for a 12 month commitment. This comes with a two bedroom house and a stipend. This can be for a single person, a couple or small family. Will teach/ train the correct person.
The routine jobs include: Animal Care: Cleaning the animal pens, milking sheep and goats, observation of animals and minor veterinary treatments. Animals include : Horses, goats, chickens, ducks, and sheep.
Fence maintenance: While we are working on living fencing in the long term, the current fencing needs upkeep. This includes: Cutting posts from growth on the property, setting the posts. in replacement of rotten ones, stretching the fence, cutting bamboo and creating a fence.
Tree management: We planted 3000 trees which need to now have the canopy opened for their proper growth. We pollard some of the Guava and Guaba and other fodder species.
Infrastructure maintenance and upgrades. The water for the houses and the farm are all gravity flow from springs. This pipework needs to be checked and periodically leaks or fallen limbs need to be taken care of. Check dams for surface water management need to be upkept. Rain gullies along the internal drive need maintenance. An trail through the forest , needs periodic upkeep.
Landscaping design and implementation : Since this is a young endeavour design ideas in landscaping with tropical edibles in the would be a valuable assistance. Example of work would be discussing landscaping options. leading the implementation of layout. Mapping out plants, propagating plants, transplanting, pruning and shaping plants and of course weeding.
This is a permaculture farm so help in permaculture based design for the pastures and orchards as well as relaxing spaces would be a valuable assistance. Help in implementing these designs., layout of plants, planting and weeding are all part of the job.
This is a productive farm with a minimum income goal. We currently have goat milk products , and some fresh produce, dehydrated fruits and herbs. Help with production, marketing, product development and preparation for market day are all welcome.
Major projects under contemplation.
Documenting the biodiversity of the farm: This project will contribute to the national biodiversity, and the learning goals. We will take images and identify the flora and fauna of the farm as well as creating information signs on the significant species.
Grafting: This is to make a living fence and to create delicious citrus fruits.
Major landscaping design and implementation.
Biogas construction is ongoing with technical issues yet to be worked out.
Developing Educational and Ecotourism for the farm. and the community.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
German: Intermediate
Persian (Farsi): Intermediate
French: Beginner
Accommodation
There is a seperate cottage on the property which can accommodate a couple or a small family. The electricity is solar generated on site. Water is from springs on the property, Hot water and cooking is with LP gas. Fresh food from farm when possible is available.
What else ...
People are friendly. We get our raw sugar locally produced and one can visit and learn about this process. We have a lady that makes famous tamales on a wood stove. Horses and hiking both on the farm and off. Local horse shows and small festivals. This is a remote farm. The grocery store that was 2 Km away has closed. The bus service to the city and the beach is 2 Km away.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have relatively good point to point internet both at the house and the workaway spot.
Space for parking camper vans
The road to the farm is rugged and particularly in the rain it requires 4 wheel drive.
Can possibly accept pets
Well behaved dogs. (We have chickens sheep and goats which are free range so /.... good behavior is a must).
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Minimum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (18)
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.7)
Cultural exchange:
(4.7)
Communication:
(4.7)
Sophia is extremely knowledgeable about permaculture and never got tired of answering all our questions and explaining things. We enjoyed the work and every day we did and learned something new.
We loved bringing all the animals back into their stables in the… read more
The time on the finca was adventurous (getting the goat out of the ditch, looking for goats, running after the little Zug so that it doesn't steal any milk...) and went by in a flash. Sophia… read more
It was hard but rewarding work. We felt we learnt so much from the experience and left with a much greater knowledge of food cultivation and Costa Rican culture.
The guest house was beautiful, it had an amazing view of the valley in the morning and sunsets in the evening. We loved relaxing here… read more
The landscape is beautiful, the house is very comfortable and the workers Diego y Dago are such nice Costarician people from who you can learn about
I Highly recomend this place for people who… read more
I felt welcomed by all the people that work on the finca, right from the very start.
Sophia has extensive knowledge of agriculture and permaculture, and was always happy to answer any questions I had. I feel like I learnt a lot.
There was a large variety of jobs and… read more
