South Africa
Favourited 656 times
Off-the grid sustainable eco living near De Rust village.
Currently looking for strong gardeners that can over sea our community vegetable garden Spensplaas
Our farm is a wonderful example of eco-friendly living. We have abundant organic gardens that have been thriving for 15 years including 60 different fruit trees, a self built cob house and yoga studio, Olive grove from which we press our own organic Oil, bee-hives for honey, all in a very beautiful valley of the Klein Karoo. We practice permaculture on the farm and live entirely off the grid, we are passionate about living sustainably and in benefit of all living plants and animals that share our 70ha farm. We have a single self catering guest cottage on the farm. We are currently running a community food garden of 1ha.
Charity Work
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
Hospitality/Tourism
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Lots to learn about sustainable living, organic farming, cob building, bee-keeping, Olive oil production, fruit drying, community food gardens
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
As a result of the diversity of our farm there is a large range of things to do at all times. As a working farm, the time of year you come will determine your activities. Ross is a master builder using local sustainable materials. Kath has had a productive organic veggie and fruit garden for 15 years. We are running a community food growing project, that can have up to 30 volunteers in a day, lots to do there in the gardens. There is always something to help with. Expect the work to be physical, visit us if you enjoy using your body and don't mind getting your hands dirty. We are looking for people that will be comfortable to caretake the farm if we go away for a few days during your stay.
Because we are very remote we dont usually take singles, but couples or friends travelling together are great. We usually only offer 7-14 day stays on the farm.
We are open to volunteers for the months of January and February, but expect extreme weather during this time, temperatures can go as high as 40deg Celsius. For this reason our work on the farm starts very early.
During the winter it gets cold here, some nights there may be snow on the mountains.
Internet is available on the farm.
Afrikaans: Fluent
English: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
Accommodation is in a beautiful cob studio with its own toilet basin area. There is an outdoor hot shower. Volunteers will sleep in a building separate from our house with beds and bedding provided. At times we may host others in the studio and if this happens a tent will be provided in the shady camp site.
All food for meals are provided, these are vegetarian. Breakfast and dinner ingredients will be provided for you at your own "house", and fresh produce may be picked from the garden to cook with. Lunch is made by Kath and we would love for you to join us for this meal. On off days you will be required to cook for yourselves but we will provide all the basics and fresh organic veggies and fruit in season.
Your accommodation doubles up as a yoga studio and massage room, this means that during your stay it is frequently needed for this. We therefore ask that your space is kept very neat, and ask for no shoes to be worn on the cob floor and your belongings always packed away.
There are beautiful walks into the hills surrounding the farm. It is only 12km to the small village of De Rust where there are coffee shops etc. If you are here in your own car there is the magnificent Swartberg pass and Meiringspoort to explore as well as the world famous Cango caves. Here is a great option for transport from CT to Oudtshoorn, our nearest town
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Uncapped wi-fi is available at 2MB speed
This host can provide space for campervans.
Two
5 hours a day, 5 days a week
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.9)
Communication:
(5.0)
