Description/vision:
In the mountains, somehow similar to traditional farmhouse life, back in the old days.
It's a private project developing into a community-project.
Ecologic, sustainable, low-tech, self-determined, it's simply living peacefully, in harmony, with nature, as best as possible.
With a clear intention on self-sustainability, a peaceful/meditative atmosphere and joyful doing.
There's plenty of land to provide for the needs of the community, from firewood to vegetables, from cereals to oilseeds, and also fresh source water.
In my mind I can see:
Golden fields of cereals, a wood-workshop, flowers in all colors, a donkey, the smell of homemade bread in the morning, mindful doing, enjoying the riches of a modest life, plenty of vegetables, collecting chestnuts in autumn and so much more...
A friend has called it a monastary - its far from that, but that would be a wonderful goal to persue - freedom.
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Things to do, hours:
For the first year it's a bit different. This is the project's pre-launch.
The house is in excellent general condition, yet has been empty for a few years and there are some repairs to do. Various things to do, such as: cleaning, repairs to the roof, repairs to doors, some painting, repairs to wooden structures, cleaning the former stable. Also things like cleaning the water pipes and the wastewater-system, setting up the wood-workshop, parts of the land need to be freed from plastic and scrapmetal, ... You get the picture.
Of course there is also a vegetable garden - tomatoes, potatoes, a few salads, beans, a bit of this and that - for the first year I'm intentionally planning a smaller variety.
As for cereals, obviously that's content of the following seasons.
And there will be plenty farming related tasks available, such as: taking care of plants, cutting wild plants, building fences, mulching, also arranging tools, cutting trees, planting fruit trees, and preserving excess harvest.
Working hours: In theory, 4 - 5 per day, with 2 days off. Dependent on what needs to be done. Practically its possible to speak and arrange things. Also helping with dishes, collecting firewood, sweeping and milling grain - these are basically dailies.
Having wwoofers that really share life, for their time being here, is clearly preferred.
For me its very important that you enjoy your time and what you are doing. We'll find the right task for you.
Life up here is peaceful and relaxed with lots of things to do - and easier than it sounds in the description ;)
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Requirements, duration of stay:
Self-motivated, able to do on their own, enjoys doing together, tidy, practical thinking, able to hike, harmonious, easy, enjoys silence, sees what needs to be done.
Please bring solid shoes. Working cloth might be available. Generally please bring clothing that isnt sensitive.
Minimum stay of 2 weeks, longer preferred. Open to extensions.
If we get along perfectly and you'd like to stay 3 months, be my guest.
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Learning opportunities:
Whatever it is I know, that interests you - I'm willing to share. But anyway, learning happens both ways. And from my experience, very well by practice. Lots of things are dependent on the seasons.
Generally Im very open to share my experience, whether that is with preserving vegetables, making marmalade, gardening, grinding herbs, making candles, fermenting, knitting, sewing, breeding and obtaining seeds (just a bit), making vinegar, or the whole cycle of harvesting-cleaning-sorting cereals or legumes.
Nature/practice has been an excellent teacher to me, that I can only recommend.
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The location, arriving:
It's advised to travel with lightweighted luggage (10 to 15kg max), Do only use backpack(s) to have the hands free for the path.
By car its about 15 minutes from Cannobio.
From the end of the road (there is a chance to park the car) its about 1 hour 20 on foot, and 500 meters in height.
By public transport: Its about 3 hours on foot and 750 meters of height.
There isnt a pickup-service. There will be a detailed description. Its easy to find.
Its basically surrounded by chestnut trees, a bit up is a young birch forest, some 20 minutes away is a small river, there are lots of hiking trails and its another 700 meters up to the top.
There are neighbors nearby, during summer. The next house permanently lived in is at the end of the road.
The nearest shop is at citycenter, about 3 hours on foot.
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Food & accomodation:
Food is intended to be simple. Vegan. I use dried fruits instead of sugar. Usually I cook once a day, mostly in the morning. Since I enjoy cooking a lot - once in a while there'll be something more special.
A wide variety of cereals and legumes is available. Also some preserved vegetables from the previous seasons (in Austria). Food is mostly organic, demeter, or selfgrown. Also there is lots of spices, seeds, etc. - Abundance.
Breakfast: If you are open and flexible, that's awesome. Somedays it might be spicy indian-style lentils, other days it might be pancakes. And of course, we can arrange.
There is water to drink, from time to time I prepare herbal tea.
And after the garden is set up there will be fresh vegetables. Meanwhile nature provides some of my favourite wild herbs.
Wwoofers should feel free to bring anything for their personal food cravings.
There are 2 spare bedrooms available, with 2 beds each. They are simple. So is life up here. There are plenty of blankets available.
It is likely that you'll have a room for yourself.
Also there is plenty of space, and just in case you feel like needing some privacy, there will be a room for that.
There is a shower. Water is at its natural temperature.
You may choose to use a bowl or bucket to wash, with water heated in a pod on the stove - for the authentic experience of needing less.
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Couples, families, friends, groups:
Yes. Please consider arriving, luggage, needs - and just simply ask.
Maximum groupsize is about 2.
Generally open to people traveling with pets - please provide details.
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Waste/personal hygiene:
Plantbased non-parfumed soap (resp. powder) is available, for washing both body and laundry.
It is asked to bring ONLY biodegradable products.
Wwoofers are kindly asked to take their trash back down with them. Please bring your own bag for waste. This includes sanitary pads and tampons, unless biodegradable.
People feeling a need for toilet paper do bring their own.
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Electricity, heating, internet, phones:
In the context of traditional farmhouse life.
In terms of electricity, especially for the beginning, I have to admit that having the chance to use some electric tools would be considered a valuable privilege. It is on the list. As of May 26, its without. Anyway, that's pretty much what life would also look like with. Leaving it turned off by choice, doing things manually, finding alternative solutions.
There is a chance to charge phones.
Phones are mostly off or in flight mode, remain in the bedrooms most of the time, with general low usage.
For now cloth can be washed manually - I can show you how to do it. Generally there is a washing machine, and with electricity this will be a transition gadget.
In terms of light, it follows the natural rhythm of the sun, the source of light. There are candles as an option for winter mornings and evenings.
As for electricity, similar goes for heating: There is the stove in the kitchen.
There is medium to low mobile network coverage, also for internet. Be sure to set your phone to manual network selection, already before arriving at Cannobio - the Swiss border is very close.
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(There isn't, )A typical day:
The center is the large living-kitchen, with a cozy fire for cooking, here happens breakfast, social interaction, cooking, planing, gatherings, here is where seedlings grow, also this is the place for many small things to do like opening nuts, or grinding herbs, also just to sit and relax.
Anyway, during the warm season life mostly happens outside.
A typical day starts early, with cooking, dishes, cleaning and overview and taking care of plants. I like evenings and mornings to be quiet and silent - just before and after meditation. After breakfast the day starts and theres plenty of things to choose from. Somewhere inbetween is lunch.
As shadows get long in the evening I usually start collecting tools and putting them back in their place, closing gates, and collecting some firewood. Days end early, mostly with sun down, sometimes even a bit before.
As of now, basically I just moved in myself. It's somewhat improvised, a bit living out of boxes, while setting up the garden.
(Last week had a lot of late mornings and chocolate cake - there is no typical day ;) )
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Languages:
Please be open to speaking English.
I'm fluent in English and German, and would like to improve my Italian.
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Your host, people around:
German, born 85, from Austria - loves nature and silence, likes useful hobbies, ambition for growing cereals, doing energy healing, interested in aura seeing, and so much more.
I've been planting fruit trees in between vegetables, but wouldnt dare to call it agroforestry. Definitely open to that, and to experimenting with no-till or fukuoka approaches.
There might be another volunteer, or a friend.
From time to time I welcome meditation guests and offer them a location to self-retreat - in silence.
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When contacting,
please include the following:
•Write in english
•Please confirm that you have read the entire profile text
•What is your motivation for coming?
•What are your ideas about spending free time?
•What are you interested in?
•Is there anything thats not completly clear? Ask any questions you have.
•Would you be available for a call? If so, when? Please include the phone number where you can be reached.
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Looking forward to meeting you :)
Read more
Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Bakery
Host type
Nonprofit / Community
10
Hectares
|
24.7
Acres
