Workcamp Details

Description: For many years EstYES has been cooperating with eco-farms around Estonia for solidarity and respect for their work and to support local people involved in agricultural sector, who keep traditions and develop eco-farming in Estonia despite of difficulties. Kingu Organic Farm is one of them. This is a berry, fruit and vegetable micro-farm in the South Estonia. The main berry crops are raspberries, various currants, gooseberries and much more. It also grows garlic and rhubarb. Everything is grown in an environmentally sustainable way using straw and hay. There are also ducks and bees in the farm. This farm promotes sustainable lifestyle, and this camp is proposed for volunteers who appreciate and share its values, want to learn more about it and to help hard working people in country side.

Type of Work: The main task is harvesting various berries and vegetables such as rhubarb, currants, raspberries, then helping juice making and packaging. But there will be also weed control and fertilization with mulch in plantations, mowing grass, removal of bushes and wood chipping, assistance in the construction of various small buildings and other necessary structures on the site. And there is ongoing work of planting seeds. There are also birds on the farm which you can take care of If you like. Working hours are 5-7 hours a day for 5 days a week, partly depending on the season and weather conditions.

Accommodation: Farm life conditions are simple. Sleeping is in a separate house in beds. Bed sheets, blankets and pillows are provided. There is a kitchen with all necessary equipment. Volunteers can make breakfast and lunch themselves, and dinner will be prepared by and taken with the family. Washing is in a sauna. And there is a dry toilet. Volunteers have to take care of their surroundings by cleaning up after themselves.

Language: eng,eng

Requirements: Special requirementsYou have to be open-minded and be ready to adapt to the simple conditions of the rural life being ready to do farm work which can be hard sometimes. The minimum age of participants is 19.Participation feeWe ask participants to contribute 50 Euro towards the costs of general administration. This fee has to be paid by bank transfer before the beginning of the camp. If you cannot make bank transfer please contact your sending organization for solution.

Approximate Location: LocationThe farm is located in Kanepi municipality just 11km from Otepaa and 47km from the center of Tartu. When coming from Tartu, choose a bus to Voru and get off at the Saverna stop. Buses stop there quite often, travel takes about 40 minutes. Also you can come through Otepaa. Knowing you arrival time and place hosts will pick you up from there. More information is on www.tpilet.ee. The farm is located in the village of Aiaste. It is important to understand when coming there is that it is calm and quiet place (there are no events in the village). But with nice weather, it is possible to see a deer in the field, a fox in a strawberry bed, or a stork. While sitting by the fire at night, enjoy the starry sky and listen to the nature sounds by animals such as badgers or raccoons. There are 3 farms around which attracted new residents in recent years i they are young families with children. So participants are welcome to spend some time with them sharing their culture and languages. More information on www.visitestonia.comLeisure timeIt is possible to swim, make a fire, play volleyball and various games (like disc golf), or do mushroom picking if you are interested. There is a swimming lake in Valgjarv 4 km away. You can use various hiking trails. If interested you can visit the nearby farms, where you can get to know horses, sheep and other animals and see many other interesting things. And there is Cantervilla Castle nearby, where you can have fun in the water park. More information at www.cantervilla.ee