Agro-forestry farm near Castres, France

  • Favourited 336 times
  • Last activity: 21 Mar 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: 1 week or less

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    Hey,

    How are you?

    -----------The basics-----------

    The farm is on 40 hectare very forested slope within a 3 min drive from the village of Vabre.

    I am looking for one or two people who can share a double bed in a small wood-heated caravan to stay for short periods to help me out with different activities here on our wild syntropic food forest-farm.


    Sometimes we work together and eat together, sometimes we will do our own thing. (5 hours a day, 5 days. Flexible days based on the weather and seasons. Activities listed below the next section)

    ------------More details----------------

    My medium term goal is to renovate the other two buildings and find individuals/couples/families with young children to live here and have revenue-generating farm projects that can be incorporated sustainably and harmoniously with the land and it's residents/owners.

    I'd like that people who come stay here are independent and ecologically minded, can be flexible yet timely, ENJOY working outside on farms, using their bodies as well as their minds, can follow directions, ask questions and most importantly speak up when there is a misunderstanding =)

    It is also important that you are fine spending time alone sometimes.
    And be ready for a short video conference before we agree on a stay :)

    Here I can teach you not kill yourself with wild plants+trees ;) identify (≈100 on the farm) and eat them or not, perma-culture type gardening, syntropic forest gardening, how to stack and chop wood like a pro, as well as what ever renovation projects I am working on... My mom is a mushroom expert and loves teaching mycology.

    My background

    I grew up in the States, studied history and permaculture, was involved in different militant struggles in US/FR, squatted in Ireland before coming to Vabre in 2016, I'm passionate about agro-forestry, climate change, permaculture, growing food, engineering the farm to be more efficient, spending time with my toddler and making her laugh. Though she lives in Germany most of the time.

    My mother Elise is also very active on the farm, taking care of the gite and giving mushroom tours.

    ------------Potential work activities----------------

    Winter-Spring-Summer 2024

    -wood harvesting: chopping, moving things with the wheel barrel, dragging down slopes, stacking, making bundles, etc... multiple times a week.
    -finishing closing the greenhouse and plant care
    -digging trenches
    -planting+watering fruit trees
    -clearing around fruit trees
    -helping put up new fencing against deer and wild boar +maintenance
    -clearing/making paths
    -Making, hoeing, clearing, weeding (hello brambles!), planting garden beds
    -sometimes collecting and processing apples + chestnuts (Fall)
    -house improvements
    -moving stuff around and general farm/house cleaning and maintenance
    -improving the caravan-cabin or other cabins on the land.
    -composting

    ——————————-
    How to get here:

    We go to the small organic food market in Vabre once-twice a week with the car and do a day trip to Castres once every two-three weeks to go the bio store/bricolage store and a bigger organic outside market. By foot, Vabre is a 35 minute walk or a 3 minute car ride. In Vabre there are also two small supermarkets. There are buses to and from Castres 4-5 times a day - except on Sundays!).

    After a week we check-in and talk about how it's going for every one.

    Description of Area:

    We are located on a South-facing SLOPED mountainside with two rivers within a ten/twenty five minute walk from the main house. We have a spring on the land that provides water from October/November to July/August after that we rely mainly on rain water, jerry cans and our filter.

    The forest is amazing and everywhere here. This a perfect place for people to be surrounded by nature with amazing views and the ability to hike and explore for hours without seeing a soul.

    Hope to speak to you soon!

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Farmstay help
    Babysitting and creative play
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
  • 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

    Languages! We love learning.
    Food! We love eating.
    Wild plants.
    Living and working a steep, wild and forested slope = loads of exercise and fulfillment. Not to mention spectacular views.

  • Projects involving children

    Projects involving children

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

  • Help

    Help

    -helping us with our baby (childcare, sometimes making a meal for everyone or helping us hang fold laundry)
    -greenhouse and plant care
    -helping put up new fencing against deer and wild boar
    -clearing/making paths
    -moving, gathering, harvesting, stacking and chopping firewood (probably at least once a week)
    -Making, hoeing, clearing, weeding (hello brambles!), planting garden beds
    -finishing greenhouse
    -sometimes collecting and processing apples + chestnuts
    -house improvements (insulating the house)
    -moving stuff around and general farm/house cleaning and maintenance
    -improving the caravan-cabin or other cabins on the land.

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    French: Fluent
    Spanish: Intermediate
    German: Beginner

    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

    Sleeping the "caravan-cabin" (insulated, with a wood stove, compost toilet and an attached kitchen, for th warmer months) for 15 hours of help a week where you would cover your food costs and cooking - we would like to eat together sometimes of course too! This is our preferred option. There are two supermarkets accesible in Vabre for you.

    OR

    25 hours of work a week where we would provide your food, 90% organic, (you would cook for yourselves unless we eat together =)

    Internet available in the main house in the unheated library (unlimited). Unless it is rented out then we would have to work something out.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    There are 5 buses from Castres to Vabre and the last one is at 17:10/18:10 Mon-Fri (Saturdays at 17:10). If we have to pick you up from Castres we will ask you to provide money about 10 euros total (depending on which car is available to drive). If you come by yourself please do!

    We have reviews on another volunteer profile! If you want to see them just ask and we can send you the link
    :-)

    See you soon!

  • 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.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    Two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week. Depending on if you come part time or full time.

Host ref number: 997711329847

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