Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
22 May 2025
Reply rate
88.9 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
9
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Details
Description
ORGANIC ORANGE GARDEN IN SICILY (ITALY)
UPDATE!!!! LAST MINUTE CALL!! we're organizing an event ( celebration day), to celebrate the first year of a new born (environment care) association, we decided the event will take place on the next 15th of June in my garden. In addition to the tasks mentioned in the description below, we'll be focused on the organizing the event, arrange the places .....
I know it's a very last minute call but i trust in the flow of universe some nice person will come.
Hi, I'm Francesco, i live in a organic orange garden in Paternò (CT) sometimes my sons Antonino and Matteo came to spend a couple of days with me. I work at catania airport and i spend my freetime in the garden.
The garden is about 8000 m², mainly oranges, some olive trees , a vegetable garden, a chicken coop and other fruit trees. It's located in the Simeto valley at the foot of the volcano Etna. Unfortunately the orange garden has been abandonend during the last two years due to lack of time. Sometimes i feel to live in the middle land between the system and a real country life where i can produce what i need, be indipendent and feel free so last year i took up part-time work at airport in order to slow down life, dedicate more time for my passions, the place where i live and people (beautiful souls) surrounding me.
I manage it adhering to the principles of sustainability in a olistic view of nature elements and human being. It's not a big farm and basically we produce for personal use, only if oranges production generate surplus we sell it directly to our friends and family. For me it's a way of life.
I thank in advance everyone that sharing this vision come helping me, hopeful that this experience can enrich each other.
Also i cooperate with my neighbors Jenny and Luca living within 10 minutes walk from me, we have a common project to mutual help and weekly we hepl each other, so jobs will take place in their garden too.
TASKS and PROJECTS: i'm currently focused on DIY works in the wooden house, we recently installed a wood stove and i would like to build a yoga room and a pond for water plants
other tasks are: planting more trees, manage the vegetable garden, feed chickens, prooning, spread fertilizer, make orange jam and limoncello, make natural soaps and experiment with fermented food.
The garden is about 5 km far from Paternò and there is no public transport service connecting them, so we'll arrange to get you when arrive or leave you at the nearest bus or rail station when you want to go sightseeing during your freetime
WE TAKE TURN TO COOK AND TO KEEP ENVIROMENTS CLEAN
ACCOMODATION will be in the wooden house, in the garden where i live.
NO DOGS three cats live in the farm so we are sorry but you can't bring any dog with you, thanks for your understanding
Especially welcomed volunteers that have previous experience in farming, outdoor life, coocking. feels good when with plants, animals, and in a natural environement, being sociable and happy to share, building with wood or other materials.
When you write us, please introduce yourself, tell us why you would like to come, tell us about your skills and knowledge and if you have a personal projects.
please specify in your mail when you want to come and for how long you would like to stay.
Excited to exchange experiences and share a little part of life path,, contact me for any question.
Hope to see you soon.
Francesco
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Events & social
Sustainability
Farming
Self development
Art & design
DIY & crafts
Plant care
Cooking & food
Nature
Hiking
Yoga / Wellness
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
language exchange, organic farming, gardering, how to harvest, prune and care of fruit trees and vegetables
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
The volunteers will help us in our everyday tasks, gardering, plant trees, , building, prooning
Languages
Languages spoken
Italian: Fluent
English: IntermediateThis 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
ACCOMODATION will be in the wooden house where I live,
we provide food as part of the exchange. we request volunteers to help in the kitchen tasks
What else ...
Please be very carefull when you book your flight to arrive to "Catania Fontanarossa Airport" and not "Comiso Airport" wich is really far and poorly connected to Catania.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
Can possibly accept pets
Dogs can't be accepted due to cats presence
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Feedback (5)
Grazie Pia
Francesco is a great host, really kind, thoughtful and generous. He has a great humour too ;) He's a excellent cook, making delicious healthy meals every day.
We workawayers were also helping in the… read more
The land is both peaceful and stunning and it’s a great opportunity to completely switch off and connect with nature. We enjoyed a variety of tasks day to day, and Francesco ensured that… read more
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
Grazie Pia
Francesco is a great host, really kind, thoughtful and generous. He has a great humour too ;) He's a excellent cook, making delicious healthy meals every day.
We workawayers were also helping in the… read more
The land is both peaceful and stunning and it’s a great opportunity to completely switch off and connect with nature. We enjoyed a variety of tasks day to day, and Francesco ensured that… read more
