Living an Eco-friendly Life: Ecological Farming in Marth (near Göttingen, Germany)
Description: In a village surrounded by beautiful hills lies the Kastanienhof, a historic four-sided half-timbered farm owned by the non-profit association Lebens- und Agrarkulturelle Initiative e.V.. The goals are ecological farming, preserving old crops and endangered animals, using renewable energy, historical-biological construction, and communal living. A multi-generational house is also being built. The Kastanienhof offers kindergarten groups, school classes, students, and others the chance to experience ecological agriculture hands-on or attend seminars on topics like organic farming, seed preservation, half-timbered restoration, and regenerative heating.
Type of Work: The Kastanienhof hosts two construction weeks annually, uniting association members, skilled craftsmen, volunteers, and an international SCI work camp. Work focuses on the listed building: woodworking, clay and cement plastering, and scaffolding tasks, offering hands-on craftsmanship experience. In addition, small agricultural work, joint harvests, and communal cooking for all helpers are also part of the experience. On August 2-3, 2025, the Kastanienhof will participate in the medieval market at Burg Hanstein, selling products and homemade ice cream. Helpers are welcome, and the market is worth a visit!
Study Theme: Depending on the interest of the volunteers, information can be given about biological and historical building, renewable energies (solar, vegetable oil, biomass), ecological agriculture and horticulture, the preservation of old crops and livestock breeds or climate protection in general. Also an exchange on these topics and on the political situation in the countries of origin of the participants could take place.
Accommodation: The work camp will be accommodated in tents, with mattresses and sleeping mats available in the attic of the barn and the residential house. There is also the option to pitch your own tent. Sanitary facilities are basic but clean, featuring a well-designed bucket toilet and a solar shower outside, as well as a hot shower inside the residence. A small pool with a view of the valley is available in the "chill-out" area. Meals are prepared with freshly harvested and other farm-grown organic produce, supplemented by purchased organic-quality food. Vegan and vegetarian options are available.
Language: The common language in the work camp is English. Since most of the other helpers are from Germany, participants can learn or improve their German. There are also French speakers on site.
Requirements: Willingness to work six hours of physical labor daily is required. Appropriate attire is needed for the medieval festival on the weekend, so feel free to bring something suitable. Alternatively, you can find something at the Kastanienhof.
Approximate Location: The small village of Marth is located in central Germany, in the Dreiländereck region of Thuringia (former East Germany), near the borders of Hesse and Lower Saxony (former West Germany). It is surrounded by a picturesque, hilly landscape with castles and other historical monuments. The charming half-timbered town of Hannoversch Münden and the traditional university town of Göttingen are easily accessible by train and well worth a visit.
Notes: INCOMING FEE for volunteers applying via partner organisations and contacts of SCI: https://sci-d.de/incomingfee
Camp Photographs
