Join our developing organic sheep farm and enjoy lovely nature near Tartu and lake Peipus, Estonia

  • Favourited 373 times
  • Last activity: 16 Mar 2024

Details

  • Description

    Description

    Do you:
    a) travel alone and want to perform mostly routine duties in small portions more/less alone during the day, having lots of free time for your own in between? Then visit us in February-May and help out with lambing and taking care of sheep and lambs daily! We offer warm private room, food, wifi etc. We´re flexible!
    b) travel alone and would like to work with others, doing different tasks daily, lots of fieldwork and no strict schedule? Like lots of discussions? Then visit us in Sept-Nov!
    c) Want to experience Estonia´s countryside and farm life in its maximum cold, deep snow and unpleasantness? Then visit the farm in Dec-Jan :)
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    Welcome! Our family farm in South-Estonia looks very private thanks to the lovely hilly landscape where it is located, yet it is in the middle of a small village Assikvere, 50km from university town Tartu. It´s like 15 km from Lake Peipus.

    Farm's main activity is growing sheep (about 500 heads in summer). At the moment we are using approx. 110ha of land. Additionally the potatoes and several other vegetables (garlic, strawberry, rootbeet, carrot, beans, green peas etc.) are growed and volunteers welcomed. Our family of 6 lives part-time in Tartu and part-time in this country farm (named Lauri farm).

    Farm´s main living building was built in 1919 and is an example of Estonian country mansion architecture with its size, height, porch etc. It is unrenovated, though. Sheep growing in farm began at year 2008 so we are new in this and we are growing. 2 production buildings have been built since then and 3rd is under construction, as well as new log sauna. There is lots of different, also historic technics (6 tractors, mainly older etc. - even a working caterpillar tractor) - if you´re interested in such things, here is lots to see and probably help, too!

    In town Tartu we have a town home (50 km from farm), where we spend time as well. Our oldest child studies in tartu.

    Farm is self-sufficient as we have our own well from where comes water for us and our animals. It seems that our lifestyle in farm at the moment is more or less what was normal around here even 80 years ago, but nowadays is pretty much lost. (A´la growing and preserving your own vegetables, strawberries; picking mushrooms, berries, herbs; smoking meat and fish; using old-fashioned sauna and outhouse toilet; heating house with firewood; making firewood; during cold times cooking on the stove heated with firewood etc). More modern lifestyle we practice in town, so it is a nice balance for us. The Farmer aka Andres grew up in this neighborhood and therefore knows the local environment and the people to the details. Was away though many years, learning and working in totally different area. Also he still can speak local dialect (Kodavere), a memory from his childhood, which is rare now - practically died-out language.

    Help here is needed on building (always something), making and repairing fences, forest works, hay-making, with sheep during the year, in vegetable garden, playing with kids in summer (!) etc.

    Work usually means assisting and being a company to the Farmer (Andres) in whatever he is doing that day, depending on the season, weather, needs, mood and the people available. He likes to do all he can himself from building to shopping. He is interested in everything. So 95% you will work with him or at least start and finish with him!

    On Sundays we are in Tartu (ususally go there Saturday evening) with our family and we can easily take and host our volunteers with us there as well.

    Guests are welcome to join us in our trips/activities. There always seems to be something which comes on the way of working :) Andres and kids participate in local village acting group, too.

    I will point out that our household is located inside our 4,5 km long net sheep fence (one of them). So here is good opportunity to wander around in fields and forests and hills quite a bit without getting lost!

    We personally don´t drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes. We don´t mind others doing these things, though.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Charity Work
    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
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    After (or even more likely before :)) work we can take you to swimming, fishing (we can smoke fish or meat together), ice-fishing during colder months, have a barbecue, picking mushrooms, berries etc. from forest, also herbs. We have lots of wild strawberries for eating all around our house area in June/July. We have quite many different birds living/nesting in our house and yard area (best time to listen/observe them is in June). Fox, rabbit, deer are seen quite often, also storks are usual. Mushrooms everywhere for picking in Autumn.

  • Projects involving children

    Projects involving children

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

  • Help

    Help

    Currently more or less on action or planning:
    - building log sauna - finishing it in detail;;
    - relocating and organizing wood material and branch piles;
    - cleaning animal buildings with us (rarely);
    - taking care of animals and veggies with us (spring and summer);
    - we could use architectural advise on how to fit modern toilet and washing room into 1919 building and also how to build out its 2nd floor and use better its arched field-stone basement;
    - forest works;
    - making and storage of firewood;
    - repairing tractors etc.;
    - IF YOU CAN/ARE WILLING TO DRIVE A TRACTOR we need you all year round!;
    - ...
    - we also appreciate company and playing with our children (born 2005, 2010, 2012, 2019).

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    Estonian: Fluent
    Russian: 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

    Accommodation

    A private room in new log sauna, tent, trailer (for two), hayloft, separate room on the 1st floor of a garage. We provide food for volunteers, also vegetarian and vegan. We cook a lot of local fresh products like vegetables and mushrooms, fish, lamb. I have to say that Andres cooks and eats a lot of meat.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    Buses from Tartu come twice a day to Assikvere bus stop located 200 meters from our farm (and they go back to Tartu, too). Food shop, library, school etc are 7 km away in Pala (we go there by car). 15 km away is Europe's 5th largest lake Peipus (between Estonia and Russia). We swim there in Summer.

    Closest airports are Tallinn and Riga.

    We can pick you up from Tartu or Mustvee with car, if needed, too.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

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

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    This host can provide space for campervans.

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Host ref number: 915799495834

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