Welcome to Casalinho e Escabelado

Permaculture Design Course 4th - 12th June 2013.

** Live in vehicles very welcome. **

We´re looking for help with a permaculture project, started 2008. Having managed a smallholding in central Portugal for several years, we've bought a larger quinta which is in need of much love and attention. The land comprises agricultural and forestry land, all of which we intend to make productive over the coming months and years. We currently have cats, dogs, chickens, ducks, pigeons, rabbits, goats and bees. Long term volunteers may have the opportunity to milk goats and make cheese if they´d like to.

Current projects include renovating the house, installing renewable energy, installing irrigation systems including RAM pumps, starting new vegetable gardens, planting native trees, building animal shelters, clearing forest, soil improvement and, well, just about everything else!! There's no shortage of different things to do, and lots of variety. Both skilled and unskilled help welcomed, experience isn´t required. We ask that guests stay for a minimum of two weeks, but will give preference to those who can stay longer.

We´re located in a beautiful peaceful location, but are within walking distance of the village. We're lucky to have a good range of local facilities close by, including wi-fi internet, and are easy to reach via public transport. We have limited caravan accommodation on site, and plenty of camping space. We´re normally happy to accommodate children and well behaved dogs, providing it´s arranged in advance, and we ´re pleased to work with larger groups such as Scouts. Day to day farm language is English, although languages spoken are English, Portuguese, Dutch and German. Happy to provide vegetarian or vegan meals.

Please look through our website before contacting us, lots of further information there for prospective volunteers and our 2013 course schedule which includes a fully certified Permaculture Design Course, permaculture gardening and stonemasonry). Please contact me by direct email or telephone only for a faster response.