Help at our small farm and enjoy hiking or skiing, in Hardanger close to Bergen, Norway

Infos

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  Description

  We, Olav and Rebecca (both 43), run a small family farm in Hardanger, Norway. We also get some help from Olav’s mother, Kirstin, especially when Olav is away at sea. Olav’s shift pattern is two weeks away and 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 15, 13, 11, 8 and two baby twin girls. Olav is Norwegian and Rebecca is originally from the UK. Rebecca’s primary role on the farm is to run a busy family household, but she also assists in managing the farm.
  
  We raise sheep and grow four 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 about 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.

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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

  Baby-sitting et jeux créatifs

  Cuisine/repas pour la famille

  Aide à la maison

  Entretien général
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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

  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 farmer from a long lineage of farmers. The farm has been in his family since 1792. Rebecca is an ecologist, plus 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.
  
  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.

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  Projets impliquant des enfants

  Ce projet peut impliquer des enfants. Pour en savoir plus, consultez nos directives et conseils ici.

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  L’hôte offre un salaire correspondant au salaire minimum

  Cet hôte offre l'hébergement et une rémunération.

  L’hôte a indiqué qu'il paierait au moins le salaire horaire minimum de son pays pour chaque heure travaillée et que l’hébergement serait fourni. Il demande de l'aide dans le cadre de son entreprise ou activité professionnelle. Contactez l'hôte directement via la messagerie du site pour en savoir plus et avoir des détails sur le salaire proposé. Tous les arrangements devraient être conclus à l'avance avec votre hôte.

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  Aide

  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 autumn we harvest and 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 graze outside. 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 be felling trees for firewood, and could 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.
  
  We are a paying host, providing free accommodation, wifi, electricity and food. We'll talk more about this in a video call.

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  Langues parlées

  Anglais: Courant
  Norwegian: Courant
  Allemand: Débutant

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  Hébergement

  We have two residences for accommodating you. We will fit you in to the best of our abilities and take into consideration personal space/privacy, etc.
  
  Cellar apartment
  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.
  
  Garage loft
  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. A bathroom with toilet and shower is in the basement of the main farmhouse (separate to the self-contained cellar apartment, but very close by). 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. We regularly stock the apartment 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 mostly eat separately, however, because of a lack of space. We provide you with necessary groceries, but please also try to make meals based on what you can find in our larder/pantry.

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  Autres infos...

  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 mother.
  
  We prefer longer workaway stays (at least four 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, get to know fellow travellers 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.

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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

  Good wifi available.

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  Espace pour garer des vans

  Room for an rv.

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Plus de 2

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  Nombre d'heures attendues

  Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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