Bevindo a Casalinho e Escabelado

** One caravan space immediately available, and plenty of space for tents and live in vehicles. We're ideally seeking some long term volunteers who can remain with us until at least the end of August and have a mapping role available for a permaculture student (ideal for a Diploma student looking to extend their portfolio with an individual or collaborative design project). **

Permaculture Design Courses (72hr PDCs) running 30/6/12 - 12/7/12 or 18/8/12 - 30/8/12. Ideal for travellers. More details on our website.

We´re looking for help with a fairly new permaculture project, started summer 2008. Having managed a smallholding in central Portugal for several years, we've recently 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 and goats. We are in the process of setting up bee hives. 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, starting new vegetable gardens, planting native trees, building animal shelters, clearing forest, 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, although longer stays are preferred.

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 caravans 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. Languages spoken are English, Portuguese, Dutch and German. Happy to provide vegetarian or vegan meals.

Please see our website before contacting us. Lots of further information there for prospective volunteers.