Help in building an eco-friendly, off-grid, sustainable space to experience nature and traditional cultivation in Sicily, Italy
Last activity
: 29 Mar 2025
Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks
Workawayers needed
Possibility that workawayers are needed
No availability
Details
Host ref number: 883441634274
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Feedback (3)
Left by Workawayer (cyberelf) for host
Overall quite an interesting experience. I worked at the farm for two weeks at the end of July; work was 5 days a week from 7am to 11 am approximately, with free afternoons. I liked the fact that the farm was up on a hill, and my favourite part was the very cute rabbits I had the chance to take care of and play with! The weather was veeery dry and
… read more hot, particularly from 9 am to 5 pm (I personally like it though! + beware: lots of mosquitoes). I would like to note there was a village alarm which rings twice (I think at 6am and 8am), which sounded like a bombing alarm dating back to the WW-II war. The off-grid experience meant: no electricity (also there is not much access to 4g data), no bed, no kitchen, showering with buckets, no toilet, and I thought it was interesting and challenging.
As much as I enjoyed my stay there, it did not correspond to what I expected in quite some aspects. I did not learn about permaculture or gardening (my main goal), nor did I learn about sustainability, or constructing sustainable structures. The work revolved mainly around weeding/entertaining the farm, and I was not taught precise directives on how to build any construction.
Of noteworthy importance, I believe, is the emplacement of the farm. The farm is close to a town, but around 1 hour walking distance from it: and the path is uphill and very stiff!! (The host will be able to bring you to the farm from there by car though). I was looking forward to daily walks to the beach, but it turned out the beach is quite far, and the only path there is that same mountain/zig-zag car road: not suitable or safe for pedestrians!! I would recommend going there with one’s own car to benefit from travelling to nearby towns in the afternoons or going to the nearby refreshing and agreeable beach.
At last, I’m afraid I must mention that there were closeby dogs left alone in cages, which we could hear barking and crying during the day and at night, which made me uncomfortable and really sad.
The host was really supportive of any initiative coming from volunteers who had creative ideas on how to make the place better, which was great. On another note, he would sometimes ask volunteers to help him with work that was unrelated to the farm. I found he was a kind man, although not particularly communicative. He had a good idea of how to redistribute work among the volunteers, but I wish I had sensed a bit more enthusiasm and passion for his project.
All in all, I’d say this experience will be great for adventurous workawayers, especially with DIY skills, leading skills and creative, practical ideas on how to improve the place. Although it did not reflect my expectations, I am appreciative of the off-grid character of this experience, which lead to great introspections and was overall a great opportunity for me to grow as an individual. I am also grateful to the host for having me. On top of that, I met amazing people there, which embellished this whole experience.You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by Workawayer (Ricarda & Alejandro) for host
we worked for two weeks at Filippos farm and had a good time.
we worked early in the morning, so to not get caught in the heat and we took care of weeding, the plants (water the plants) and the animals (3 chickens and 3 rabbits) and whatever was there to do. I don't know if farm is the best way to describe it, because this project is very at its
… read more beginnings and there is not many plants or anything (yet). there were two other workawayers there when we came. this workaway is definitely not something for people that are not used to camping or staying in a very simple environment for a longer period, the toilet is an outside toilet, same as the shower, it definitely takes some time to get used to. it is also advisable to have a car, since the beach and next "big" town by foot take at least an hour to reach (downhill). you also have to provide for your own food and in general should be quite independent. there is also no elictricity and it can get very hot, especially around August. we would have wished for a little bit more enthusiasm about the farm and everything from Filippo.
but, we did enjoy our time here and met some great people, the town and the beach are very beautiful. just consider that it is a workaway for adventurous people and nature lovers!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by Workawayer (Lukas) for host
Thanks Filippo for the beautiful experience at your place. We had fun taking care of the garden, cooking over the camp fire and living outside. The place has a nice view and you can be creative and independent in what you do.
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(3.7)
Left by Workawayer (cyberelf) for host
Overall quite an interesting experience. I worked at the farm for two weeks at the end of July; work was 5 days a week from 7am to 11 am approximately, with free afternoons. I liked the fact that the farm was up on a hill, and my favourite part was the very cute rabbits I had the chance to take care of and play with! The weather was veeery dry and
… read more hot, particularly from 9 am to 5 pm (I personally like it though! + beware: lots of mosquitoes). I would like to note there was a village alarm which rings twice (I think at 6am and 8am), which sounded like a bombing alarm dating back to the WW-II war. The off-grid experience meant: no electricity (also there is not much access to 4g data), no bed, no kitchen, showering with buckets, no toilet, and I thought it was interesting and challenging.
As much as I enjoyed my stay there, it did not correspond to what I expected in quite some aspects. I did not learn about permaculture or gardening (my main goal), nor did I learn about sustainability, or constructing sustainable structures. The work revolved mainly around weeding/entertaining the farm, and I was not taught precise directives on how to build any construction.
Of noteworthy importance, I believe, is the emplacement of the farm. The farm is close to a town, but around 1 hour walking distance from it: and the path is uphill and very stiff!! (The host will be able to bring you to the farm from there by car though). I was looking forward to daily walks to the beach, but it turned out the beach is quite far, and the only path there is that same mountain/zig-zag car road: not suitable or safe for pedestrians!! I would recommend going there with one’s own car to benefit from travelling to nearby towns in the afternoons or going to the nearby refreshing and agreeable beach.
At last, I’m afraid I must mention that there were closeby dogs left alone in cages, which we could hear barking and crying during the day and at night, which made me uncomfortable and really sad.
The host was really supportive of any initiative coming from volunteers who had creative ideas on how to make the place better, which was great. On another note, he would sometimes ask volunteers to help him with work that was unrelated to the farm. I found he was a kind man, although not particularly communicative. He had a good idea of how to redistribute work among the volunteers, but I wish I had sensed a bit more enthusiasm and passion for his project.
All in all, I’d say this experience will be great for adventurous workawayers, especially with DIY skills, leading skills and creative, practical ideas on how to improve the place. Although it did not reflect my expectations, I am appreciative of the off-grid character of this experience, which lead to great introspections and was overall a great opportunity for me to grow as an individual. I am also grateful to the host for having me. On top of that, I met amazing people there, which embellished this whole experience.You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by Workawayer (Ricarda & Alejandro) for host
we worked for two weeks at Filippos farm and had a good time.
we worked early in the morning, so to not get caught in the heat and we took care of weeding, the plants (water the plants) and the animals (3 chickens and 3 rabbits) and whatever was there to do. I don't know if farm is the best way to describe it, because this project is very at its
… read more beginnings and there is not many plants or anything (yet). there were two other workawayers there when we came. this workaway is definitely not something for people that are not used to camping or staying in a very simple environment for a longer period, the toilet is an outside toilet, same as the shower, it definitely takes some time to get used to. it is also advisable to have a car, since the beach and next "big" town by foot take at least an hour to reach (downhill). you also have to provide for your own food and in general should be quite independent. there is also no elictricity and it can get very hot, especially around August. we would have wished for a little bit more enthusiasm about the farm and everything from Filippo.
but, we did enjoy our time here and met some great people, the town and the beach are very beautiful. just consider that it is a workaway for adventurous people and nature lovers!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by Workawayer (Lukas) for host
Thanks Filippo for the beautiful experience at your place. We had fun taking care of the garden, cooking over the camp fire and living outside. The place has a nice view and you can be creative and independent in what you do.
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