Honouring mother Earth, help regenerating the land and co-create beautiful gardens of abundance!
Málaga
Please read till the end :)
LOCATION
We are a couple, with dog, cat, chickens, etc, living since 2016 in an old olive orchard which had been abandoned. The land is next to Natural Park Sierra de las Nieves, a beautiful nature reserve known for its many endemic species, like Pinsapo and Quejijo trees. Every season is so different and has its own beauty. In the fall, you can have fun going after mushrooms, the winters are usually cold with snow in the highest peaks, the springs an explosion of flowers and the summers hot and dry, covered in golden colours.
IN SEARCH OF COMMUNITY
We have a good relationship with our neighbours and are interested in building networks, eco-village and community. If there are more of us who live nearby and cooperate, we can have a bigger impact! We do not necessarily need to live together, but anyone can have their own independence and help each other in many aspects of life, hence building strong connections. So, in case if you are interested in having your own regenerative farming and Permaculture project, you might want to visit our valley, as there are a few properties at a walking distance from us (less than 10 min).
MAIN ACTIVITIES
One of our first activities, as we came to live here, was the implementation of the fire prevention plan. We are requested (by law) to clear that area of our land which borders with the forest. There was heavy work involved with moving logs, which we used for the wind breaks and Hügel beds. At the same time, the clearing of pine trees, allows for the recuperation and further development of the native vegetation, such as trees from the Quercus family (acorns). Thus helping us create a Mediterranean food forest. What is needed for now regarding this task is mainly the maintenance work.
We have changed the surface of the terrain with the help of wind-breaks, terraces, swales and ponds. We observe in this area more and more irregular and dramatic changes in the weather and rainfall, i.e. several months of drought followed by heavy rains, strong and windy storms. Therefore, the earthworks we have done, are proving so far to be working pretty well in order to harvest the rain water on the land, avoiding erosion and desiccation by the wind, preventing the loss of fertile soil, creating microclimates and for passive irrigation of the trees. This work is mostly accomplished, however we still need to improve/update a few ponds and pathways, as well as the irrigation system.
We are bringing the olive trees back to production. There are also many empty spots where we are planting a wide variety of fruit trees, shade trees, nitrogen fixers, as well as trees for chop-and-drop (for organic matter) and composting. Besides that, we have planted a number of trees for market production.
We have done main reforms in the house to improve the energy efficiency. We have built a wood-fire kitchen/oven-stove and would like to update it, so that it works as water heater as well (as an alternative to the thermal solar panel). With those changes, we are less dependent on fossil fuels and more efficient in fire-wood consumption. We also want to harvest and filter rain water from our roof. We love DIY, up-cycling and bio-construction.
There are usually other ongoing tasks such as pruning, mulching, seeding, planting, preparing firewood for winter, watering in the summer, and most vegetable gardening tasks are in the Spring and Autumn.
In order to regenerate the soil, we are making lots of hot compost, compost tea and extracts. Have accomplished the Foundation Course of the Soil Food Web school with Elaine Ingham, and are still learning and studying to become consultants.
In the short/middle term, we would like to fence a few areas for rotation of chickens, thus improving the soil quality. Also, we would love to build a small greenhouse, so we can grow a few more vegetables in the coldest months. Furthermore, we would like to build a workshop/tool-shed, update a few trellises for shade and climbing plants (e.g. kiwis, grapes), etc.
For later on, we would like to build an outside summer kitchen, a second outside hot shower, a second fixed dry toilet for volunteers and guests, a couple of small tree huts (only sleeping and chill-out inside the trees), maybe a sauna and reform an old ruin. We'd like at some point to teach yoga at our farm and offer maybe some other educational courses.
ACCOMMODATION
We use a dry/composting toilet and there is a caravan for 1-2 volunteers. If necessary, we can host more people (in the house or tent). However, the most likely situation is that you will be the only volunteer, unless you are a couple, or come with a friend who can share room in a small caravan. We share meals and quite some working tasks with volunteers. However, in case if you are used to having a bit more people around you, and think you will be missing some company, please keep it in mind before applying. On the other hand, if you enjoy or wish to be spending some time by yourself, this can be a great opportunity to have some quiet time for reflection, meditative walks, etc.
Sleeping in a caravan can be cold in the winter and hot in the summer. Try not to eat in your room, as it might attract ants. In case if you have produced some rubbish, please take it with you. We also appreciate when you leave the space clean and tidy for the next guests.
Also, for the risk hazard, please reduce or avoid smoking in the land, and let us know in advance if you are a smoker, and do not use incense sticks or candles.
If you wish to use Internet more often, please bring your own provider, as we provide limited connection with cable. Please check with your Internet provider if they work under Movistar network, as Orange does not have coverage.
MEALS
We eat two main meals a day (lunch and dinner), mostly vegetarian, depending on the availability of the products and on the harvest. However, we do raise animals for eggs and meat (not common). We were doing the macrobiotic diet and lifestyle for several years in the past. Now we are adapting to what we can grow in our garden, and find ecological and local.
YOGA
Beatree is a trained yoga teacher in the Iyengar method, Stefan also has many years of practice. You are welcome to join our Sadhana and get some tips on your own practice. It is also possible to receive some lessons for a special price or in exchange for some other form of contribution.
HELPING
Work can be physically demanding, so you need to be healthy, fit and in excellent shape. Outside can be quite cold, or hot, windy, etc.
As we are in the wild, you will get comfortable with (or at least used to) ants, mosquitoes, flies, rodents, snakes and spiders, etc.
You like to work with hands, and have previous experience with gardening, farming, carpentry, or have any other DIY skills.
Also, motivation to learn about regenerative practices and Permaculture, like PDC, having read some books, watched videos on the topic, etc.
What we love the most is sharing with people who want to start their own nature/farming-related projects and regenerative businesses. So if you can identify with any of them, please let us know.
Volunteers usually help 25-30 hours per week. We also need to be flexible and adapt to weather conditions (avoid rainy days or too hot hours). Besides that, we ask you to help a little bit with dishes, cooking and cleaning (max 1,5h/day).
If you think you are a match and would be fit and happy to help in these conditions, please include at the beginning of your text "I have read your profile description and agree with the conditions".
Required is at least 2 weeks including free days (or minimum 10 working days). Each part is entitled to break the agreement before the agreed time* when the conditions are not fulfilled and in case of extreme weather. *One week notice is appreciated.
SOME USEFUL STAFF
Please BRING:
1. Headlamp / torch
2. Working shoes/boots
3. Gardening gloves
4. Your own soap and shampoo (preferably biological or not too strong)
5. If needed: menstrual cup or similar reusable and nondisposable items
Please DO NOT:
1. Use hair dryer
2. Non-reusable hygienic pads or tampons
3. Pictures, audios or videos from the land and house without asking, as this is our home, and we care for our privacy
PLEASE TAKE CARE with
1. Avoid eating in the caravan as it might attract ants
2. Do not jump over the fence/gate as they get broken or damaged over time
3. Please be careful with the windows and doors in the caravan, try to close them carefully
4. Avoid smoking, using candles, incense sticks, etc. as there is risk of fire
5. Be mindful about use of water in shower
Read more
Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Poultry farming
Forestry
Aromatic or medicinal plants, teas
Seed saving or production
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Bakery
Renewable energy production
Food justice / sovereignty
Methods or systems
Holistic management
Permaculture
Regenerative agriculture
Host type
Self-sufficiency property
Former WWOOFer
Beatriz
Member since 2016
Languages spoken:
Czech, Dutch, English, German, Spanish
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Response rate: 100%
Response time: typically within 1 day
Málaga
From Malaga Bus station, there are buses to Yunquera (4km) and El Burgo (8km), and from there we might come pick you up by car. For more information about schedules, check the website of GrupoPacoPepe.
