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80 %
Last replied
16 Sep 2025
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Description
Hello and welcome,
my name is Fabio and I live in our family villa on a hill overlooking Florence, surrounded by olive trees, vineyards and woodland. We are in the Tuscan countryside, yet only 7 km from the historic center of Florence — a place where rural life and cultural richness meet naturally. This is a living and evolving project, not a touristic farm. Several people share this space: family members, housemates, long-term volunteers and occasional guests. We usually host up to three helpers at a time, for short or long stays (minimum two weeks, unless otherwise agreed). Accommodation is inside the villa, with all basic comforts.
THE PROJECT
I personally take care of the land and the development of the project.
We produce our own olive oil and wine mainly for self-consumption and, depending on the season, helpers may learn about olive cultivation, viticulture and small-scale production.
At the heart of the place there is a permaculture garden, where we grow vegetables, fruit and herbs, working with the land rather than against it. The approach is practical, experimental and based on observation, learning by doing and adapting to real conditions.
This is a hands-on, evolving place, where land, buildings and daily life are being gradually improved with care, vision and practicality.
Alongside gardening and food production, an important part of the project involves the regeneration and requalification of existing spaces inside the villa and its annexes. The house is large and full of potential, but many areas need to be reorganized, improved and brought back to life.
Current and upcoming projects include the renovation and requalification of spaces such as a large cellar (cantina) that will be transformed into a functional and welcoming area, and the attic (soffitta), which will be reorganized and partially adapted for future uses. There is also ongoing work related to interior design and space optimization, painting and finishing works on walls, ceilings and wooden elements, as well as small-scale architectural and construction projects.
Maintenance and improvement works may involve masonry, carpentry, basic electrical systems and plumbing. A strong emphasis is placed on the creative reuse of existing materials and objects, recycling and low-impact solutions whenever possible.
One of the next agricultural developments will be the creation of a mobile chicken coop (chicken tractor), fully integrated into the permaculture design. Helpers who are interested in, or have experience with, ethical and small-scale poultry keeping are especially welcome.
WHO WILL ENJOY THIS PROJECT
This place is ideal for people who enjoy working both with their hands and their head, who like seeing concrete results from their efforts and who feel comfortable in a real, non-touristic environment. Skills or interests in permaculture, organic gardening, DIY, renovation, construction, architecture, design, repair and maintenance are highly appreciated.
You don’t need to be a professional, but experience, responsibility, autonomy and initiative are important. Curiosity, adaptability and respect for shared spaces matter more than certificates.
Current and ongoing activities may include sowing, planting and harvesting, soil care, mulching and erosion control, composting and recycling systems, small construction and maintenance projects, and working the land following permaculture principles. We also experiment with homemade cleaning products and natural solutions for everyday life.
FOOD AND DAILY LIFE
Food is central to this project. Nutrition is not a detail, but a foundation.
We aim to provide healthy, organic and seasonal food, cooking together simple but high-quality meals inspired by Tuscan and Italian traditions.
The kitchen is usually stocked with extra virgin olive oil, organic vegetables, seeds, legumes, fresh bread from a wood oven, pasta, rice, cereals, herbs, fruit, honey, marmalade, coffee, vegetable milk and other essentials, often directly from the garden.
To support this quality and variety, helpers are asked to contribute to food expenses. This is approximately five euros per day, or calculated according to real shared consumption, in a transparent and flexible way.
We usually cook two or three meals together, sharing responsibilities, recipes and daily life. The atmosphere is communal: everyone takes part in keeping the place functional, respectful and alive. It can be challenging at times, but also deeply enriching.
A NOTE ON VALUES
This project is human-centered, nature-centered and independent in thought.
I encourage critical thinking, personal responsibility and learning through direct experience.
I am an environmental engineer and have worked for many years in sustainability, always with a critical and practical approach that puts people, ecosystems and real life first.
If this resonates with you, we will probably get along very well.
In lak’ech 🌱
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
In addition to all of the above will also have the opportunity to learn some delicious Italian recipes, eat very healthily and learn about healing and living with essential oils. I am interested in philosophies and the awakening world. I will be happy to share with you my craziest visions on science, religion, human history, astronomy. I also like to play the djembe (bongo) and listen to vinyl records. I started sustainable and environmental projects in Mexico where I used to spend half of the year.
Help
Tasks are varied and might include big or small projects and any of the following: weeding, sowing, cultivating, harvesting, watering, making ‘rolls’ to reduce land erosion and retain water, pruning, working the land in accordance with permaculture principles, construction work, making homemade cleaning materials, house maintenance. Cleaning and organizing the house is also expected to be a daily habit.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
Italian: Fluent
Accommodation
All the volunteers will sleep in a big shared room. There is a bathroom for their exclusive use.
What else ...
Last but not least, Florence. This beautiful city is very close, it is easy to go by yourself walking and with buses and trams only takes one hour. This city is famous for it’s museums, artworks, architecture, the amazing Duomo, Uffizzi Gallery and Ponte Vecchio and much more. We are also not far from the popular sites such as Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano, Lucca and the coast. Florence and Tuscany in general are very active with projects on permaculture, organic markets, communities and ecovillages, the Renaissance seems to be here...again!
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
Rollo
Just a big cat
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (8)
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
If you are looking for a place where to learn about permaculture, cooking amazing vegan food, relaxing in the beautiful Tuscany hills and sharing some genuine human smiles, this place if for you.
Fabio can teach you lots of things and you are also able to propose your own ideas - own projects… read more
Very dangerous multiskilled volunteer...on your own risk to host her.
You will miss her power, positivity, semplicity, kindness, beauty... yes, also her furry friend Odie!
Marina lived at my place for 2 months...in her van, with her dog, parked just outside the house.
Independent and concrete, she schedule and completed every… read more
The quietness and beauty of the Tuscan hills is restoring, the work with the earth enlightening.
It has been a joy to share a small part of Fabio's path towards sustainability, he has been a great teacher without being patronizing.
During my stay I learned about permaculture,… read more
She was shy and reserved at the beginning, but I trust her immediatly trying to let her share her knowledge, wisdom and passion for nature. She helped me a lot in many ways being a moral support, sharing her knowledge and also contributed economically with the grocery… read more
Some of my favorite things:
*drinking water infused with carefully prepared rose petals
*making arches to transfer water from one part of the garden to another (rainbow arches?)
*culling the bamboo forest
*sitting under… read more
I spent really good time with them, after a while we felt like a family together with Elizabeth (the other volunteer) and everything flows so nice. It’s very easy to deal with Alice and Ash, they are clever, sensitive good hearted. I like their enthusiasm in learning new things as well… read more
Life changing just about begins to cover our stay with Fabio.
We learned so much about permaculture and living more consciously with a greener footprint. Permaculture in every aspect of our lives, not just in the garden, and it was invaluable and eye opening. Fabio coached us when undertaking inspiring projects in his beautiful… read more
