Cooperative community, alternative farm, rural home olive trees donkeys

Padova
🇮🇹La differenza è nella tua testa!
🇬🇧The difference is in your head!
🇮🇹Fare yoga in giardino in compagnia!
🇬🇧 Doing yoga in the garden together! 🇮🇹Volontarie di rilassano insieme! 
🇬🇧Volunteers chilling out together!
13 Updated 1 month ago
🇮🇹 Ciao, mi chiamo Matteo e da 10 anni ho deciso di vivere in mezzo alla natura, in armonia con gli animali, ad Arquà Petrarca, su un colle che si estende per 3 ettari e sorge su un uliveto di 600 alberi. Quello che ho creato negli anni è un oasi per animali umani e non… Le giornate qui iniziano presto perché, oltre a pulire le stalle, bisogna dare i croccantini ai tre cani e il fieno agli asini. Altre mansioni che svolgo settimanalmente sono la cura dell’orto e le eventuali riparazioni alle recinzioni. Solo in alcuni periodi dell’anno mi dedico invece anche alla potatura degli ulivi e alla raccolta delle olive: un’esperienza faticosa ma decisamente indimenticabile. Visto che non sono pratico in casa, vi chiederò anche supporto nel cucinare a pranzo e cena e per quanto riguarda le pulizie. Ogni cosa che può essere utile, sarà scritta su una guida a disposizione in casa. Vi assicuro che girare per questo terreno immerso tra gli ulivi e vedere il tramonto sui colli ogni sera, sarà un’esperienza rigenerante e avrete la possibilità di conoscere persone amanti della natura e dei suoi abitanti e soprattutto, di entrare davvero in contatto con gli animali di altre specie, diventando grandi amici. Chi vorrà venire ad aiutarmi, avrà una camera con un bagno. Parlo Italiano, inglese, tedesco e rimango a disposizione per ogni domanda. 🇬🇧 Hello, my name is Matteo and for the last 10 years I have decided to live in the midst of nature, in harmony with animals, in Arquà Petrarca, on a hill that covers 3 hectares and stands on an olive grove of 600 trees. What I have created over the years is an animal shelter: I live together with three donkeys and three dogs . The days here start early because, in addition to cleaning the stables, we have to give kibble to the three dogs; hay to the donkeys.. Other tasks I do weekly are tending the vegetable garden and any repairs to the fences. Only at certain times of the year, however, I also do olive pruning and olive harvesting: a tiring but definitely unforgettable experience. Since I am not handy around the house, I will also ask you for support in cooking dishes for lunch and dinner, and with regard to housekeeping. Anything that may be helpful will be written in a guide available in the house, which other volunteers use when they come to help me.. I assure you that wandering around this land surrounded by olive trees and watching the sunset over the hills every evening will be a rejuvenating experience and you will have the chance to meet a person who love nature and its inhabitants . Those who would like to come and help me will have a room with a bathroom. I speak Italian, English and German and remain available for any questions.
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Raising of other farm animals
Wild foraging
Flower farming
Aromatic or medicinal plants, teas
Seed saving or production
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Mechanics / tools / technology
Methods or systems
Biological pest control
Holistic management
No-till farming
Permaculture
Regenerative agriculture
Rotational grazing
Host type
Self-sufficiency property
Certified organic
3 Hectares | 7.4 Acres
Accommodation
2 WWOOFers
Bedroom
Camper / RV
Campsite
Children not accepted
Pets not accepted
Meals
Omnivore
Vegetarian
Vegan
Length of stay
1-2 weeks
3-4 weeks
Over a month
Matteo
Matteo
Member since 2022
Languages spoken: English, German, Italian, Portuguese
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 87% Response time: typically within 2 days
Padova
Monselice
Feedback
Daniela
Daniela
Austria • July 2026
Matteo’s Land is in a particularly beautiful spot. It’s quiet, situated on a hill, surrounded by nature and offering a stunning panoramic view. Arqua Petrarca is just a 5-minute walk away. I particularly liked that. The work was varied. From pruning olive trees to tending the garden, feeding the animals and cooking together. We all became friends – the dogs, the donkeys and Matteo. Beside working, we had nice talks, little bike tours in the beautiful neighbourhood and several laughter. Thanks for that Matteo! We will dfinitely see each other again 🌞
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Chiara
Chiara
Germany • April 2026
We stayed for two weeks at Matteo’s place and honestly had a really nice time overall! ☺️ When we first arrived, we were a bit surprised because the animals that were originally mentioned weren’t actually there anymore but the supersweet three dogs and the three donkeys totally made up for it!! 🌟 The location is absolutely beautiful – the farm is up on a hill with an amazing view, and the sunsets are really something special. Our tasks included feeding the animals, cleaning the stables of the donkeys, planting, collecting olive wood and occasionally cleaning the holiday house. One of our highlights was bringing the donkeys back to their sleeping place in the evening. Since the area is quite large, we often had to go find them first, and they didn’t always feel like coming right away, which made it a fun and memorable routine. 😊 Matteo was also very kind and helpful, especially when it came to driving us to and from the nearest trainstation when needed. Overall, a lovely stay with the sweetest dogs and donkeys!🤗
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Marie
Marie
France • February 2026
I stayed one week with Matteo, his dogs and his donkeys. I had a great experience there ! The place is very quiet and stunning, I spend all my time watching the view. Volunteering there means waking up at 7/7.30am to feed the dogs. Then working with Matteo on different tasks (mostly in the olive trees, but also helping him with donkeys or fixing some stuff) until lunch and break time. Thanks Matteo, it was great (and the dogs are the sweetest !! )
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Lina
Lina
Germany • September 2023
We spend one amazing week at Matteos place. 🌿 It is located in the middle of olive-trees and has a great view. It truly feels like looking at a painting! Also, he does amazing work with the animals who have their best lives on his farm. Regularly there are workshops at the farm and we really enjoyed being a part of a amazing yoga class! But we mostly enjoyed the daily tasks and the amazing food we cooked all together ❤ Matteo, thank you so much and we already miss Skatenato, Bruno, ... :) 🐖🫏🐗☀️
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Lilian
Lilian
Germany • September 2023
I had 10 wonderful days at Matteos farm and I can really say I enjoyed every single day. First of all is his house located in the most beautiful landscape. Also you can truly see how much love and passion Matteo has for his animals. The days always started very early but the work was always doable and mostly fun. I enjoyed the cooking and loved to take care of the animals. In German I would say it was one big „Streichelzoo“. :D During the 10 days it really felt like a home to me. I hope to come back in the future. Liebste Grüße- Lilly ✨🌱
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Matteo
Reply from Matteo
Lilly was a 5 stars woofer 👏, always smiling , no issues with the daily routines . Perfect communication the best Vegan chef 💚🙏❤️‍🔥 Grazie hope to see you soon
Lone
Lone
Germany • September 2023
This was my first wwoofing experience and I could have not asked for something else. Everyone who loves a slow live is right in this place🍃. Even if the day starts early nothing is rushed and work is makeable. There is enough time to relax on this beautiful stunning property between olivetrees and a breathtaking view or spend time with all the adorable happy animals🐮. Also big recommendation for any musicians or music lovers. Matteo lives for music and playing the drums (besides his animals). It is a pleasure to make music with him or just listening and watching him being happy while playing :) Definitely coming back💚
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Matteo
Reply from Matteo
. I couldn’t be more happy to host Lone she was great with animals she understood everything regarding the house , the garden and all the habitants 🐐🐽🦆🐸🐝🐴 We play music and we had lot of fun together! Strongly recommended woofer. Dear Lone thank you so much for giving all your time to Botto and friends sanctuary 🫶🙏
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