Join us on an eco farm to experience traditional village life in Avô, Central Portugal

Infos

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  Description

  It is a 6-ha organic farm in Central Portugal offering stunning views of the nearby mountain range.
  
  The farm produces olive oil, wine, vinegar, vegetables and a variety of fruits. The land stretches over a series of ancient stone terraces which have been farmed for centuries. We can still use and admire an intricate system of water sources, irrigation channels and wells - all built in stone by some ancient giants, possibly dating back to Roman times.
  
  For the last few years we have had the privilege of taking care of this amazing piece of land, planting new trees and animal pastures, regenerating the parts damaged by conventional agriculture and fires, as well as discovering something new and fascinating about it every day.
  
  In 2025 huge wildfires devastated around 250,000 hectares of forest and agricultural land in our area. We lost a young forest, regrown after the fire of 2017, and most of our fruit trees. This was followed by the spring floods washing the fertility down into the rivers.
  
  Presently we focus on the effort to replant, reforest and reinforce the slopes to prevent further erosion. We use traditional hand tools and techniques passed on by generations as well as modern mechanised equipment, such as a tractor, flail mower, wood chipper, subsoiler, etc. Tillage and soil disturbance are kept to the minimum to protect soil life.
  
  You are welcome to join us in everyday farm life, taking care of plants, animals, infrastructure and people who visit.
  
  ABOUT US
  
  Originally, we are both from Poland and different paths led us to this beautiful stone village surrounded by streams, rivers and mountains. We love to share what Nature and wise teachers have taught us. We like to stay away from the crowds and immerse in real, deep human connections.
  
  Gosia (40) is an interpreter and translator, a yoga teacher and a lecturer at the University of Porto. She has lived in Portugal since 2007. Having run one of the first artistic hostels in Lisbon for a decade, she suddenly found herself among the olive trees of Avo.
  
  Błażej [Portuguese: Braz] (51) is a researcher, teacher trainer, farmer and owner of a publishing house.
  
  Currently we are getting increasingly involved in educational activities in Portugal and want to develop the farm towards a more self-sustainable unit able to host larger groups for practical workshops and youth programmes.

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Aide avec des éco-projets

  Jardinage

  Bricolage et construction

  S’occuper des animaux

  Aide dans une ferme

  Cuisine/repas pour la famille

  Aide à la maison

  Entretien général
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  Centres d’intérêt

  

  Dev. personnel

  

  Dev. durable

  

  Randonnée

  

  Culture

  

  Ferme

  

  Animaux

  

  Musique

  

  Soin des plantes

  

  Livres

  

  Cuisine et alimentation

  

  Langues

  

  Jardinage

  

  Danse

  

  Montagne

  

  Yoga / bien-être

  

  Nature
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  — Learn traditional and mechanised organic farming practices.
  — Be a part of a large movement to reforest and regenerate an area devastated by recent wildfires.
  — Engage with a local community of like-minded people.
  — Spend quiet time with plants and animals. Learn to disconnect.
  — Take part in yoga asana and meditation practice in our yurt.
  
  Our farm is located on the outskirts of a mountaing village with a supportive local community, where people have time to stop and talk to each other. There are four traditional music bands and lots of events, especially in the summer. It is an old stone village with a beautiful river beach, shops, cafes and a restaurant. Otherwise quiet, it gets quite busy during the holiday months.
  
  The area has also attracted a lot of foreigners, who settled here to lead a more conscious and connected lives.
  It's famous for its "hippie" markets, where an amazing array of local hand made products can be found. Everything from organic olive oil soaps, to ferments of all kinds, dishes from all over the world, cheeses, clothes and jewelry.

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  Aide

  Depending on the season:
  — planting trees
  — installing irrigation
  — carrying and cutting branches
  — operating a wood chipper
  — planting and weeding in the vegetable garden
  — pruning in the orchard and vineyard
  — land maintenance with manual tools
  — care of animals (sheep, chickens)
  — woodworking and other DIY projects
  — help with cooking and other household tasks
  
  At the moment we are dealing with the consequences of the 2025 fires and the recent floods. Spring 2026 will be devoted mainly to replanting the orchard and reforesting the hills. Cutting small dead bushes with hand tools, piling them, transporting, chipping, making biochar. Dealing with larger burnt trees with chainsaws and tractor.
  
  This will be an opportunity to take part in a real disaster-relief project and learn a lot about protecting and generating fertility on a large scale.
  
  We are happy to hear more about your needs and expectations and to discuss together what type of tasks will fit your situation best.

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  Langues

  Langues parlées
  Anglais: Courant
  Espagnol: Courant
  Polonais: Courant
  Portugais: Courant
  Français: Intermédiaire
  Hollandais: Débutant
  Russe: Débutant

  Cet hôte propose un échange linguistique
  Cet hôte a indiqué qu’il souhaitait faire partager sa propre langue ou en apprendre une nouvelle.
  Contactez-le pour en savoir plus.
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  Hébergement

  Comfortable and independent accommodation in a stone house in the village (5 min away from the farm). Own room with bathroom and balcony, kitchen access. High speed internet. A few steps to a cafe, shops and an amazing beach where two mountain rivers (Alva and Pomares) join their currents.

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  Autres infos...

  Public transport:
  To get to Avo, you need to get a Rede Expressos bus to Vendas de Galizes (region: Oliveira do Hospital).
  The buses go from Lisbon (4 hours), Porto (2 hours) and Coimbra (1 hour).
  
  It's a fifteen-minute drive and we will pick you up from there. Check: rede-expressos.pt for schedule.

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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 house you will be staying at has a high-speed fibreoptic internet connection suitable for remote work and play. Bear in mind that this is primarily a farm experience and make sure your work schedule is compatible with our working hours.

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  Possibilité d'accueillir les animaux

  Contact us to discuss details.

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Plus de 2

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  Mes animaux

  Ziggy

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