Help us restore a regenerative demonstration farm with animals near Monchique, Portugal

Infos

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  Description

  We are Paul and Kate, an English couple who settled in the Serra de Monchique after several years of living and travelling on our sailing boat. We bought Quinta Picapau in 2016 and have spent the past ten years learning how to grow food, care for animals and restore mountain land in a Mediterranean climate.
  
  The wildfire of 2018 affected a large part of our cork-oak woodland and changed the direction of our work. Since then, soil health, water retention, biodiversity and fire resilience have become central to everything we do.
  
  We are now also developing Raízes da Montanha, a second 7.5-hectare holding on the slopes of Fóia. This is being created as a regenerative demonstration farm where we can restore terraces, improve damaged soil, manage water, establish diverse cover crops and demonstrate practical methods suited to the Serra de Monchique.
  
  This is a non-commercial family project. Everything we produce is for our own household, and our purpose is land stewardship, learning and sharing practical experience.
  
  Our animals include Kune Kune pigs, goats, chickens, ducks, quail, a much-loved donkey and four friendly dogs. They are an important part of our approach to grazing, vegetation management, nutrient cycling and food production.
  
  We welcome practical, curious people who genuinely enjoy outdoor life, animals and learning by doing. You do not need to be an expert, but you should be willing to contribute, communicate openly and take part in the daily rhythm of the farm.

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Aide avec des éco-projets

  Jardinage d'entretien

  Projets DIY créatifs

  S’occuper des animaux

  Aide dans une ferme

  Petits travaux d'entretien
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  Centres d’intérêt

  

  Ferme

  

  Menuiserie

  

  Animaux

  

  Voile / bateau
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  Objectifs de développement durable de l’ONU que cet hôte essaie d'atteindre

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  Qu'est-ce que c'est ?
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  We have almost ten years of practical experience restoring and managing land in the Serra de Monchique, including lessons learned following the 2018 wildfire.
  
  We can share our experience of regenerative farming, animal-assisted vegetation management, composting, biochar, cover crops, soil protection, water retention, terrace restoration and practical fire resilience. We are still learning ourselves and value volunteers who bring their own ideas, observations and skills.
  
  This is intended to be a genuine two-way exchange rather than simply a list of jobs. We like to explain the purpose behind the work and to discuss what succeeds, what fails and how methods need to be adapted to Mediterranean mountain conditions.
  
  Quinta Picapau is approximately a 15-minute walk from the centre of Monchique, so visitors can also experience the town, its markets, cafés, local events and international community.

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  Aide

  Our current work is focused on establishing Raízes da Montanha as a regenerative demonstration farm while continuing to care for Quinta Picapau and our animals.
  
  Depending on the season, help may include:
  
  • caring for and feeding the animals
  • constructing and maintaining fences and rotational-grazing paddocks
  • mulching, composting and preparing biochar
  • shredding woody material for soil cover
  • sowing and managing diverse cover crops
  • repairing terraces, paths and traditional stone features
  • improving water infiltration and reducing runoff and erosion
  • planting and caring for trees
  • practical maintenance and small DIY projects
  
  Some tasks are physically demanding and take place on steep or uneven mountain land. We work with people according to their abilities and experience, and we explain why each task matters within the wider regenerative system. Volunteers should be comfortable working outdoors and around large, friendly dogs and farm animals.
  
  We normally ask for a maximum of 4–5 hours of help a day, five days a week. The remaining time is your own. This is a non-commercial exchange, and volunteers do not take part in any business activity.

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  Langues parlées

  Anglais: Courant

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  Hébergement

  Workawayers stay in a private, self-contained apartment at Quinta Picapau.
  
  The apartment has a double en-suite bedroom, a twin bedroom, a separate shower and toilet, a comfortable lounge/dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, reliable fibre Wi-Fi and television. It can accommodate a couple, friends or a small family.
  
  We provide food and essential household supplies. Some of our meat, eggs and seasonal vegetables are produced on the farm, with other provisions bought locally. We enjoy sharing meals and conversation, while the private kitchen also allows guests to cook and eat independently when they prefer.
  
  Please tell us about dietary requirements before arranging a stay so that we can confirm what we can reasonably provide.

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  Autres infos...

  Monchique is a friendly mountain town with shops, cafés, restaurants, a swimming pool and regular local events. The surrounding Serra offers excellent walking, dramatic views and access to the Via Algarviana and other trails.
  
  Local buses connect Monchique with Portimão and the Algarve south coast. The wilder west coast is also within reach, although it is easier to explore with a car.
  
  The land is mountainous, and conditions vary considerably through the year. Summer can be hot and dry, while autumn and winter can bring heavy rain, wind and cooler evenings. Suitable outdoor clothing and sturdy footwear are important.
  
  We value reliability, good communication and people who can balance working together with using their free time independently. A stay of at least two weeks gives visitors time to settle in, understand the farm and make a meaningful contribution.

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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

  The apartment has reliable fibre Wi-Fi with unlimited bandwidth and is suitable for remote work outside the agreed help hours.

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Plus de 2

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  Mes animaux

  

  Hartcliffe (5 ans)

  A large rescue dog with the best personality. Very friendly and enjoys visitors

Sécurité du site