Help creating a family self-sufficient agroforesty project close to the Serra da Estrela mountain in Portugal

Infos

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  Description

  One year ago, we bought a small farm in central Portugal, very close to the Serra da Estrela mountain. My 2 children, aged 17 and 13, and I share the house with our 3 dogs and 5 cats. Our move is part of a change towards freedom and a more self-sufficient life. There is a nice house, thus the real challenge is in the land.
  We are close to a small village which has everything you need for daily life, cafés, restaurants, post-office, gas stations, pharmacy and even a train station with a few trains daily. This is walking distance. We are not isolated, but private. Our closest neighbour is about 400 m away.
  The farm is made up of 7 terraces on top of a hill with beautiful views towards the village. It is a beautiful setting. On the east side you have the village, on the west side the mountain. Beautiful sun sets and sunrises.

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Pratique d’une langue

  Aide avec des éco-projets

  Jardinage

  Bricolage et construction

  Aide dans une ferme

  Cuisine/repas pour la famille

  Aide à la maison

  Entretien général

  Aide informatique/internet
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  Centres d’intérêt

  

  Randonnée

  

  Montagne

  

  Camping

  

  Activités en plein air

  

  Végétarien ou végan

  

  Dev. durable

  

  Animaux de compagnie

  

  Ferme

  

  Bénévolat

  

  Animaux

  

  Nature
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  Covilhã is the closest largest city. The entry point to the Serra da Estrela mountain with beautiful nature, river beaches and hikes. We are very close to Fundão, Penamacor and Castelo branco, areas with thriving expat communities and a very bubbly cultural activity. There are popular festivals through out the year a bit everywhere. Something we could do together sometimes. I also go up the mountain once a week for my daughter's ice hockey training. It´s a beautiful ride which you will be welcome to join as often as you want. Our village, albeit small has cafés, restaurants, grocery shops, pharmacy, health center... really, everything for daily life. It even has a train station with a few trains a day, so you can be quite self-sufficient transport wise.
  
  If you want to learn portuguese, I would be very happy to do so, whilst we're together. I could also teach you how to veganize portuguese dishes (yummy).
  
  I love working as a team and I can be very quiet when concentrating or quite chatty and curious. I've travelled quite a bit and done quite a few interesting things. We´ll surely exchange a lot during your stay. I will be very interested in learning about you as well.

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  Aide

  We are set in a traditional agricultural area. The project is to regenerate our land and create an oásis of bio-diversity, with areas of forest, agroforest and planes with an holistic management of humans and other animals, composting and water. Work with nature to bring back a healthy eco-system. Using the principles of permaculture I want to implement a syntropic agroforestry model. Eventually I would like the farm to become a model for alternatives to the traditional orchards that are cultivated by farmers in our area, promoting events in that direction. I am not an expert in permaculture or syntropic agriculture. I learn as I go and do as I can which on my own is very slow. There is everything to do and whoever comes will both learn along with me and teach me what it knows: decide consortiums and plant, multiply from seed, cuttings or grafts, pruning, pick olives (seasonal) clean the land, set up the irrigation system, building, take care of the animals and all sort of odd jobs related to the maintenance, care and transformation of the land. If you prefer to take care of the house, of the dogs and cats or cook, we could talk about it too.
  
  I have outsourced the design of my farm and have now a clear idea of what to do but need help doing it. If you have skills in carpentry, eco-building or construction, plumbing, permaculture, agroforestry... it would be great. If you don't it is not a problem. Bring lots of energy and a big smil and you will be very welcome. I can progress on my own but with you it will be much faster and funnier.
  
  In parallel to the agricultural project I also have a dog and cat hotel project on the go. If you have skills in website or graphic design I would also be thrilled to welcome you.

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  Langues parlées

  Anglais: Courant
  Français: Courant
  Italien: Courant
  Portugais: Courant
  Espagnol: Débutant

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  Hébergement

  We offer a comfortable room in our house with double bed and vegan meals.

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  Autres infos...

  We prefer having women or couples living in the house but guys are welcome on a van or can camp outside. For campers, I can provide a tent and basic facilities.
  I am vegan, you do not need to be, but I would ask you not bring animal based products into the house. Meals will be prepared together and will not be part of your work hours.
  Our dogs and cats are part of the family and live with us. They are all rescues and the dogs will be very excited meeting you the first time and saying hello in the morning. You need to be confortable with this and not be allergic.

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  Informations complémentaires

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    Accès Internet

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    Accès Internet limité

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    Nous avons des animaux

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    Nous sommes fumeurs

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    Familles bienvenues

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  Possibilité d’accueillir les digital nomads

  We have a satellite dish for Internet . It works well but it is not super fast.

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  Espace pour garer des vans

  There's lots of space for a caravan or a tent. Until we have showers and dry toillets you can use the facilities in the house.

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  Possibilité d'accueillir les animaux

  Other than exotic animals, everyone is welcome.

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Plus de 2

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