Help out at our family quinta and learn about permaculture in Sertã, Portugal

Details

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  Description

  We (Natalie and Michael) and our 3 children (Paula, Jonathan and Noah) have fulfilled a dream and currently live together with 11 chickens, 5 goats, 3 ducks and a bunch of pigs and piglets on this beautiful Quinta. Surrounded by various fruit and citrus trees, vines, olive trees and strawberry trees, we have great visions. Until our casa and the ruins are renovated, we live in our self-built Tiny House. The property itself is terraced and has access to a small but very watery stream. In the upper part is our forest, which will be gently transformed into an agroforest (Syntropic Farming according to Ernst Götsch). We have already started with our permaculture garden on the lower stream terrace. We want to show a sustainable way here together with other people. Lost knowledge and skills are to be activated and resources conserved. Our ambitious goal is to create a place worth living in harmony with nature for the next generations. Waste avoidance, careful use of water and a mindful approach to Mother Nature are of great concern to us. We don't want to be dogmatic about it, but we believe that the time has come for a rethink in many areas of our lives. For the future, we want to create a family-friendly health centre here, in which the human being is perceived as a holistic being.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Teaching

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Babysitting and creative play

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Vegetable cultivation
  Goat farming
  Forestry
  Flowering plant cultivation
  Fruit and nut growing
  Poultry farming
  Viticulture
  Bakery
  Art (handicraft)
  Mechanics / Tools / Technology
  Methods used
  Direct seeding
  Holistic cultivation
  Permaculture

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  Projects involving children

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

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  Help

  Currently we especially need help with the renovation, window installation, tiling, laying wooden floors and plastering.
  We also need help with childcare as there is a lot of admin work to be done in addition to the renovation and animal care.
  
  Looking after animals (chickens and goats), forest work, making firewood, furniture making, house renovation, vegetable growing, cooking, food preservation, construction activities: children's playground, tepee tents, tree houses, outdoor kitchen...
  
  Daily routine
  
  After sunrise: breakfast together and short planning of the day's tasks, e.g. bringing the chickens into the outdoor enclosure and feeding them, mucking out the barn, letting the goats out of the barn, 2-3 hours general work in the morning time and 2 hours in the afternoon, e.g. watering the vegetable garden, seeding, mulching and/ or joining the weekly projects!
  
  General
  
  Should we have many volunteers at our farm at the same time, we would be happy if 1-2 helpers would prepare the communal meals. It would also be nice if someone could play with the children, do handicrafts or let them participate on their own passion. This could be playing music together, but also artistic or small artisanal projects. If there are Portuguese-speaking helpers, our children and us would be happy to learn the language.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  German: Fluent
  English: Intermediate
  Portuguese: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  English, Portugese, German
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  Accommodation

  Tipi tent or camping, but there is also plenty of space for own campers or a mobile home

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  What else ...

  The area invites for many outdoor activities, like biking, swimming, kayaking, SUP, climbing, hiking and many more. There is a big lake nearby and also lovely river beaches and small villages. We are located in the middle of the forest but we could rent bicycles. If we go somewhere with our car you can also join us.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

  5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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