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Learn about permaculture in South West Alentejo, Portugal

Availability

  2025 

 Min stay requested: at least 1 month

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    Hi, we are Claudia and Bart. We moved to our farm in 2022, at the time the land was mostly completely overgrown by decades of no maintenance. Our land is around 30 hectares of which roughly ¾ is forest with many cork trees and strawberry trees. The forest has some nice walking trails.

    Even though a lot of work has been done to clean up and develop the land in the almost 3 years we have been here we still have plenty of new projects on the to-do list. A lot of the work that has been done already has been related to water management as water is a precious resource here with the little rain we get. Still there is more work to do to keep improving more areas of the land to retain more water.

    We have a modest veg garden established which we are increasing in size this year, and there are already quite a few established fruit trees in the garden giving us different fruits all year around. This year we are looking to make a big extension of the orchard with some 20+ new fruit trees.

    Our long term vision for the land is something along the lines of an organic (permaculture) farm & artist retreat where people can come and stay short & long term to practice their art discipline without many distractions and with beautiful nature around. We both enjoy circus arts and practice things like juggling, slack lining, hula hooping & more. Eventually we also want to be able to host workshops and teach an occasional workshop, think of circus related workshops but also yoga, meditation & tai chi. Bart is a certified permaculture teacher. With everything we do we have permaculture principles in mind.


    Some of the work/projects you can expect to do on the farm:

    - water management (digging swales, drains)
    - weeding the (veg) garden
    - mulching
    - compost related work (worm compost)
    - making charcoal / biochar
    - checking for ripe fruits & vegetables & collecting them
    - help preparing lunch & dinner
    - planting seeds/plants/trees
    - installing driplines
    - building stone retention walls
    - constructing terraces & paths
    - cleaning the forest: pulling vines from trees, collecting firewood, collecting old cork tubes, pruning trees, clearing paths.

    A few seasonal jobs we could really use some help with (of course this wont be the only thing you would do in those months):

    - January/February/March/April: pruning many small cork trees and strawberry trees.
    - October/November: planting 500-1000 cork tree acorns in the forest (and maybe picking strawberry tree berries)

    A lot of the work outside is quite physical. You will work with a lot of different tools and you might get a few blisters along the way, a bit of muscle pain at times isn't uncommon if you aren't used to physical work. You need to be OK with these things.

    If you are going to write us a message please say the word cheesecake in it, its a little test to see who reads our profile and who doesnt.

    The minimum stay for a volunteer is 4 weeks (no exceptions sorry), longer stays are definitely possible and encouraged.

    We have 3 cute cats.

    If you think you might want to volunteer with us please read the rest of our profile before sending a request!

    Looking forward to meet you!

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Farmstay help
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
  • Interests

    Interests

    Beach
    Yoga / Wellness
    Art & design
    Plant care
    Performing arts
    Self development
    Sustainability
    Vegetarian or vegan
    Pets
    Gardening
    Cooking & food
    Nature
  • 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

    You can learn about gardening, permaculture, juggling, slacklining, hula hooping and life on the farm.

  • Help

    Help

    Some of the work/projects you can expect to do on the farm:

    - water management (digging swales, drains)
    - weeding the (veg) garden
    - mulching
    - compost related work (wormcompost)
    - making charchoal / biochar
    - checking for ripe fruits & vegetables & collecting them
    - help preparing lunch & dinner
    - planting seeds/plants/trees
    - installing driplines
    - building stone retention walls
    - constructing terraces & paths
    - cleaning the forest: pulling vines from trees, collecting firewood, collecting old cork tubes, pruning trees, clearing paths.

    A few seasonal jobs we could really use some help with (of course this wont be the only thing you would do in those months):

    - January/February/March/April: pruning many small cork trees and strawberry trees.
    - Oktober/November: planting 500-1000 corktree acorns in the forest (and maybe picking strawberry tree berries).


    A lot of the work outside is quite physical. You will work with a lot of different tools and you might get a few blisters along the way, a bit of muscle pain at times isnt uncommon if you arent very used to physical work. You need to be OK with these things.

    You need to have a decent level of spoken English.

    The minimum stay for a volunteer is 4 weeks (no exceptions sorry), longer stays are definitely possible and encouraged. Please state in your message how long you would like to stay and we can see what is possible. If for some reason the cooperation does not work well for either party they should voice that concern asap so we can see if it can be improved, if not we will go our separate ways without hard feelings.

    We are looking for volunteers who are responsible, independent and don't mind physical work. We expect 5 hrs of work a day, 5 days a week (mon-fri), a couple of hours in the morning and a couple of hours after the lunch break.

  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent
    Spanish: Fluent
    Dutch: Fluent
    Portuguese: Intermediate

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    We have 1 big studio apartment available which is shared by 2 volunteers. There are 2 single beds. The apartment has its own toilet, shower and a small kitchen corner. Camping is possible if you like too.

    Things to bring yourself: towel, toothpaste, (bio)soap, few pair of work clothes, shoes and sun protection (a hat is recommended!). Rain gear if your visit is between September and April.

    Food will be provided 3x a day; breakfast, lunch & dinner.

    All food provided will be vegetarian.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    We are situated only 20 minutes from the closest beaches & a supermarket at walking distance where there is a bus stop too. In the weekends there are often little markets in the surrounding villages, we visit them sometimes, If we go you can usually catch a ride with us to join if you want 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

    Wifi has amazing speed.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    We have a parking for cars or campervans, there is no shade in the parking area.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    Two

Host ref number: 943363816214

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