Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Reply rate
63.7 %
Usually responds within 11 days
Feedback
29
Email verified
Host offers payment
Badges (2)
Details
Description
We, Olav and Rebecca (both 42), run Heljetunet, a
small farm in Hardanger, Norway. We also get some help from Olav’s parents (Kirstin
and Helge), especially when Olav is away at sea. Olav’s shift pattern is two weeks
away and then two weeks at home on the farm. Olav’s two eldest sons also help out
on some weekends. We are a big family with six children aged 14, 11, 10, 6 and two newborn twin girls. Olav is Norwegian and Rebecca is British. Rebecca’s role on the farm is to first and foremost take care of the children, but she also assists with light farmwork and running things whilst Olav is away.
We raise sheep and grow three varieties of organic apples on the farm. The farm is
situated with a view of the Hardangerfjord and Folgefonna glacier to the south, and
often snow-capped mountains to the north. The farm is quite central in Øystese: a
small town popular with tourists. A 10 minute walk takes you right into the centre
where there are shops, a beach, restaurants and a swimming pool plus other amenities. It takes an hour and a half to get from Øystese to Bergen in the west by bus, and the same amount of time to Voss in the east. The surrounding mountains are ideal for skiing and hiking.
We grow our apples organically and our sheep are almost exclusively grass-fed,
grazing on the high mountain pastures during the summer months. Our vision for the
farm includes improving and building the soil using regenerative techniques such as
biochar, cover crops, composting and holistic grazing management. We keep the use
of pesticides, herbicides and synthetic fertilizers to a bare minimum that complies
with organic standards. Producing excellent, sustainable food, fibre and fuel whilst
maintaining and improving biodiversity are important values to us. We produce high
quality apple juice, apples and sheepskins, and are self-sufficient in lamb and mutton. We want to create a kitchen garden to become self-sufficient in vegetables.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainablity goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Hardanger is Norway’s number one fruit-growing region, and a stay at our farm is a
chance to learn more about modern fruit-growing as well as regenerative
agriculture. Olav is a qualified orchard gardener and lifelong farmer. Heljetunet farm has been in his family since 1791. Rebecca is an ecologist and English and science teacher. She also has
significant experience with permaculture and vegetable growing, having previously
established and run Norway’s second permaculture LAND site, Seversgarden.
The surrounding mountain areas are perfect for hikes, and for skiing in the winter.
Øystese has an art museum and exhibition centre. There are sometimes concerts
and music festivals there too. We might have time show you around, but we are
mostly busy working both on and off the farm. Alternatively, we will happily
recommend places for you to go and will send you a little guide by email if you come
and stay with us.
We do like travelling, but right now the better option is letting the world come to us.
We look forward to sharing our Norwegian (farming) culture with you, and also to
learn things about you and your culture.
If you enjoy reading, we have heaps of books on subjects like self-sufficiency,
gardening, farming and food preservation. Or sci-fi, if that's your cup of tea.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage
This host offers accommodation and payment.
Host has indicated that they will pay at least the minimum hourly wage of their country for each hour worked and that accommodation will also be provided. They are asking for help with a business or business activity. Contact the host directly via the site messenger for more information and details about the wage provided. Any arrangements should be agreed in advance with your host.
Help
The apple orchards are fairly new (planted in 2018 and 2019) and need care
throughout the growing season. Tasks such as mowing, strimming around the trees
and fertilizing are common tasks. In the winter we prune the trees.
Feeding the sheep morning and evening is the most important task during the
winter. Lambing is in April, and we really need extra helping hands for that. From
May until October the sheep are out on the pastures. In May and then Sept-Oct time
they graze outdoors on pastures close to home; June through August they are up in
the mountains. This winter we will most likely do some work on the interior of the
sheep barn, and will need some help with that.
Winter activity on our farm includes forest tasks; clearing pastures and cutting and
chopping wood. It would be great if you have experience using a chainsaw and
driving a tractor, but not a necessity. Instructions and training will be given on all
tasks.
We are also building a production room for juice and cider. If would be great if you
have skills as a carpenter or plumber, but general handiness and a good work ethic
goes a long way.
You will be expected to work five hours a day five days a week.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Norwegian: Fluent
German: Beginner
Accommodation
We have different options for accommodating you. The decision on where you stay,
however, will be ours!
Option 1
A self-contained and recently refurbished cellar apartment with kitchen, brand new
bathroom (with underfloor heating, toilet, shower, sink, washing machine), living and
dining area and two bedrooms. Good WiFi and internet cable connection.
Option 2
Garage loft with one separate bedroom. There is a living room with a sofa and a
desk, and two spare beds. Small fridge and possibilities for light cooking. There is no
water installed in the garage loft. Toilet and shower is in the basement of the main
farmhouse (separate to the self-contained cellar apartment). Good WiFi and internet
cable connection, a fridge and also a TV screen.
Food and meals
You will mostly make your own food with other Workawayers in the kitchen of the self-contained cellar apartment of the farmhouse. This is regularly stocked with groceries, so it’s super
important that you let us know of any particular dietary requirements! We also have food
stores in the cellar of the house which you will have access to; consisting of a cool
larder, freezers and refrigerators. These are stocked with basic supplies and dry
goods. Some days we will all eat together, particularly during the summer months
when we can all eat outdoors. We provide you with necessary groceries, but please also try to make meals based on what you can find in the food store.
What else ...
We primarily look for couples and co-travellers because Olav works at sea in addition
to the farm, so you will often be alone on the farm with some supervision and help
from Rebecca and Olav’s parents. Access to a car could be a possibility if you have a
driver’s license of course.
We prefer longer workaway stays (at least three weeks, but preferably longer)
because Olav is at sea for two weeks at a time, but also to allow you to settle in to
the work routines and discover the local area.
Your working hours might not always be fixed. Sometimes your help will be most
needed in the evenings and weekends.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Good wifi available.
Space for parking camper vans
Room for an rv.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (25)
It was my first Workaway and everything went really well.
The Oystese region and the Hardangerfjord are magnificent with lots of hiking to do! The towns of Voss and Bergen are also easily accessible by bus.
The work was pleasant outdoors, between… read more
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.5)
Communication:
(4.5)
It was my first Workaway and everything went really well.
The Oystese region and the Hardangerfjord are magnificent with lots of hiking to do! The towns of Voss and Bergen are also easily accessible by bus.
The work was pleasant outdoors, between… read more
I spent three months at Heljetunet, from September to December 2022. My time there was simply fantastic. I met people of various nationalities, and made long-lasting friendships along the way.
The work there was diverse and not too redundant. At one point, there were six Workawayers,… read more
During my stay on winter season, I carried out several tasks: manipulation of last apple batches, sheep barn care, forest work, wood handling...
Øystese has amazing views of the fjord and the mountains, so enjoyable for working outdoors… read more
The first week, the work was mainly to cut grass under the apple trees with a big lawnmower. It was a physically hard job. And then I did a lot of other tasks such as cutting apple… read more
The work was varied (from chopping down trees, to making birdboxes, binding trees, looking after the sheep and mincing meat) and it was always interesting.
Olav very generously let us use his skii's, sledges etc. and gave us lots of… read more
Olav and his family are really nice and kind people. Øystese is a wonderful place and there is so much opportunities to have fun there. I've been hiking, snowboarding, skiing, swimming, sledging ...
The work is great, I tied the branches of the apple trees so they won't break when the apples arrive, I took care… read more
Olav was very clear on the instructions and jobs to do. We mainly had the project to build a cold room, and he had all the necessary tools (which is a pleasure!), and was really available to answer any technical… read more
The farm is lovely and I have my own Apartament and I felt very cozy. Olav is very relaxed and he take all the time to explain you what to do if you don’t know. His mother also is… read more
Was nice to meet you and hope to see you again!
They provide everything… read more
He was always very friendly, explained how sth. is done… read more
