A place to reconnect with nature in the beautiful hills of Styria, Graz, Austria

Details

• 

  Description

  Hi, I’m Ben & welcome to our small homestead and little piece of earth in the beautiful hills of Styria, just 20 minutes from Graz.
  
  If you’ve ever dreamed of slowing down, living closer to nature, learning practical skills, and becoming part of a small community of nature lovers, you might feel at home here.
  
  Life on our homestead is simple, intentional and hands-on. Every day is different. Depending on the season, we might be:
  
  * growing vegetables, herbs, flowers and fruit
  * caring for chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits, quails and our two dogs
  * planting trees and creating wildlife habitats
  * taking care of and improving our garden and home
  * harvesting, preserving and preparing homegrown food
  * cooking and sharing meals, stories and ideas around the table
  
  No previous experience is necessary - only curiosity, a willingness to learn, and a positive attitude.
  
  A little note from your host, Ben
  It isn’t just a farm - it’s an ongoing experiment in living differently.
  
  I’m passionate about regenerative gardening, biodiversity, traditional skills, self-sufficiency and creating a place where people reconnect with nature, meaningful work and each other.
  
  What I’m most proud of is that we’re not simply talking about the change we’d like to see in the world — we’re trying to live it every day, one small step at a time.
  
  For me, hosting Workawayers is primarily about cultural exchange, sharing knowledge and learning from each other.
  
  I enjoy showing people what I’ve learned through gardening and life here, but I’m equally interested in learning from the people who come here — their cultures, skills, ideas, recipes, stories and different ways of looking at the world.
  
  You’ll learn by doing, ask lots of questions, make mistakes, celebrate small victories and hopefully leave inspired to create something beautiful wherever life takes you next.
  
  Most activities are things we do together. I like spending time with the people who stay here — working alongside each other in the garden, cooking together, sharing meals, talking, exploring the area or simply enjoying an evening around the fire.
  
  About the kind of help
  It is my private home and personal homestead.
  
  The help here is limited to personal tasks around my home, garden and animals, as part of sharing everyday life together.
  
  You don’t need professional skills or experience. The focus is on spending time together, learning from each other, helping with everyday homestead life and enjoying the experience.
  
  If you have a particular skill or interest, I’d love to hear about it. Perhaps there’s something you can teach me, or something we can discover and learn together.
  
  If this sounds like the kind of experience you’re looking for, I’d love to welcome you here.
  
  See you soon,
  Ben

• 

  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Light gardening

  Creative DIY projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Help around the house

  Light maintenance
• 

  Interests

  

  Technology

  

  Videography

  

  Sustainability

  

  Pets

  

  Farming

  

  Charity work

  

  Music

  

  Plant care

  

  Languages

  

  Photography

  

  Gardening

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Carpentry

  

  Blogging

  

  Art & design

  

  Animals

  

  Outdoor activities

  

  Nature

  

  Mountain

  

  Hiking

  

  Cycling

  

  Fitness

  

  Camping

  

  Adventure sports
• 

  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

  ...

  ...

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  What's this?
• 

  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  For me, hosting isn’t just about getting help on the homestead—it’s about sharing experiences, ideas and learning from one another.
  
  You’ll be part of everyday life here: working together in the garden, cooking and sharing meals, exploring the surrounding countryside, sitting around the fire in the evening, or simply enjoying meaningful conversations.
  
  I’m always happy to share what I’ve learned over the years, including:
  
  * Organic and regenerative gardening
  * Permaculture-inspired growing methods
  * Animal care and small-scale homesteading
  * Nature conservation and biodiversity
  * Photography, videography and social media storytelling
  * Living a simpler, more intentional lifestyle
  
  At the same time, I genuinely enjoy learning from the people who stay here. Every volunteer brings different skills, cultures, traditions, recipes, ideas and perspectives. Whether it’s teaching me something practical, cooking a meal from your home country, or simply sharing stories about your way of life, I believe these exchanges are what make volunteering such a rewarding experience.
  
  My hope is that everyone leaves this place with new skills, new friendships, fresh inspiration and unforgettable memories.

• 

  Help

  The kind of help we’re welcoming
  
  There is always something meaningful to do around a small homestead, and the things we do change naturally with the seasons.
  
  Depending on your interests, you might join me with:
  
  * Gardening – sowing, planting, weeding, mulching, watering and harvesting vegetables, herbs, flowers and fruit.
  * Animal care – feeding and looking after our chickens, ducks, geese, quails, rabbits, goats and other animals.
  * Garden & home care – helping to keep our outdoor spaces, garden and shared areas tidy, cared for and enjoyable.
  * Housekeeping – keeping shared spaces clean and tidy, laundry and other everyday household tasks.
  * Cooking – preparing simple, healthy meals together using seasonal ingredients whenever possible.
  * Creative projects – photography, videography, social media or graphic design for personal projects and documenting life here.
  
  The tasks are part of everyday life here and are always carried out together with me, rather than as independent work.
  
  You don’t need to know everything before you arrive. I’m happy to share what I’ve learned, and I value enthusiasm, curiosity and a willingness to learn far more than experience.
  
  At the same time, I’m looking forward to learning from you. You might bring knowledge, traditions, recipes, skills or a completely different perspective that I’ve never encountered before.
  
  The goal is to work, learn and spend time together, while sharing everyday life and creating a beautiful place for people, animals and nature.

• 

  Languages

  Languages spoken
  German: Fluent
  English: Fluent

  This 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

  During the warmer months, you’ll stay in a spacious bell tent surrounded by nature—a peaceful way to experience life on the farm. The tent is equipped with a comfortable mattress, bedding, and even a wood-burning stove for the colder months, making it cozy well beyond summer.
  
  If you prefer sleeping indoors or the weather isn’t suitable, there’s also the option to stay inside the house on a mattress.
  
  Travelling with your own campervan or tent? You’re also welcome to stay at one of our camping spots.
  
  You’ll have access to:
  
  * A bathroom with shower and toilet
  * Fresh drinking water
  * A shared kitchen
  * Electricity and Wi-Fi
  * Plenty of outdoor space to relax, unwind and enjoy nature
  
  Food
  
  Food is simple, fresh and seasonal, with as much as possible coming straight from the garden.
  
  I usually prepare one larger meal each day, and I’d love for us to cook and eat together whenever possible. It’s one of the best parts of hosting—sharing recipes, stories and cultures around the table.
  
  Throughout the day, I tend to snack on fresh fruit, vegetables and whatever is in season in the garden. You’re welcome to do the same, and we’ll always make sure there’s plenty of good food for everyone.
  
  Life here is about slowing down, sharing experiences, learning from each other, and enjoying the simple things together.

• 

  What else ...

  On your days off, there’s plenty to explore. We’re surrounded by beautiful countryside, and you’ll have easy access to some of Styria’s best outdoor activities.
  
  You can spend your free time:
  
  * Hiking in the beautiful Styrian mountains
  * Swimming in nearby lakes
  * Mountain biking through forests and rolling hills
  * Exploring the historic city of Graz, just 20 minutes away
  * Relaxing on the farm and enjoying nature
  
  Public transport is easily accessible, with both bus stops and train stations nearby, making it easy to explore the region even without a car.
  
  Life here
  
  I live here with my two dogs, along with geese, chickens, quails, goats, and thousands of plants that we’re growing and caring for on our little piece of earth.
  
  Life is simple, relaxed and nature-oriented. We value kindness, respect, open communication and looking after both each other and the environment.
  
  One important house rule: we are a non-smoking household, so we ask all volunteers to respect that.
  
  If you enjoy meaningful work, being outdoors, learning new skills and becoming part of a small, like-minded community, you’ll probably feel right at home here.

• 

  A little more information

  • 

    Internet access

  • 

    Limited internet access

  • 

    We have pets

  • 

    We are smokers

  • 

    Can host families

• 

  Can host digital nomads

  We got Starlink 200mbits download 😜

• 

  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

• 

  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

• 

  My animals / pets

  

  Melody

  Cuddle Bug & Little Bundle of Energy
  
  If I’m not getting constant cuddles and attention, I’ll happily sing you a long little song until you give in. 🙂

  

  Akira

  Farm Dog • Assistant • Stick Guardian • Fitness Trainer
  
  I am pure movement — the four-legged reflection of my human. Always alert, always ready, and never far away. Whether working on the farm, exploring nature, or keeping up with daily adventures, I’m right there by his side.

Website Safety