Gardening at two family homes in idyllic Swedish village

The experience

We are two families, connected to Fridhems Holistic Center, offering an opportunity for volunteers to visit both our small family farms in Stjärnsund, a picturesque village in southern Dalarna, while being close to the vibrant life at Fridhem. In May: preparing the lands with sheep manure, sowing, cover with cut grass, and September: harvest, planting trees, digging, picking and conserving, making marmalade/juice/pickles etc

What you offer

20 hours of help per week

Farming: Plant crops, sow seeds and help in outside tasks.

Gardening: Help grow plants and cultivate gardens

What you get

3 days off per week

Private Room: You will have a bed in a private room. In other words, a room just for you.

Shared Dorm: You will have a bed in a shared room, which means you will share the same room with other travelers.

Breakfast: You are entitled to a free breakfast, every day of your stay.

Lunch: You are entitled to a free lunch, every day of your stay.

Dinner: You are entitled to a free dinner, every day of your stay.

Free Laundry: You can use our laundry room freely.

Pick Up: We will pick you up when you arrive, and take you to our property.

Yoga classes: Take free yoga classes at our place.

Use our equipped kitchen: Feel free to use our kitchen and make your own delicious food.

Basic Internet Access: Basic speed internet for you to work remotely

Requirements

Intermediate English

Over 19 years old

Welcomes solo volunteers, couples, and partners of volunteers

What's not included

Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa

Program Details

About Villa Älvsborg
We are a Swedish family consisting of Ylva, 39, Fredrik, 46, two kids and a cat. We grow vegetables in our spare time for self sufficiency. Ylva works remotely on the computer (in the social enterprise sector) and Fredrik run his own business with focus on natural continuity forestry and some carpentry. We have a big house with many guests rooms, a small garden with a green house and space for cultivation.
Fredrik grew up on a farm in northern Sweden and Ylva grew up in a city, but went to a organic farming school for one year when she was 19. We have been growing vegetables ever since.
We have guest rooms in our house. Food and kitchen is available for you to prepare yourself or to prepare together or for each other (depending on preferences). We mainly eat vegetarian food.

About Fläckemyran:
Matilda and Rasmus, two kids and two cats. We are writers/artists and are at the same time at the exciting early stages of creating a forest garden, planting forest garden, planting a variety of fruit trees and bushes.
We like art and yoga, being outdoors, and the kids likes reading and painting.
The house was built 1850, has rustic charm with clay walls, natural water sources, cozy fireplaces, and a small bathroom. Guestrooms are available for volunteers.
In addition to the forest garden project, transforming at least half of the vegetable cultivation area into perennial no-dig beds, requiring some dedicated weeding to set the foundation for long-term success. :)
During these weeks, our focus will primarily be taking care of the beds, but also planting and supporting fruit and nut trees. Breakfast and dinner are enjoyed indoors with the kids, while lunch is often prepared in the outdoor kitchen. Cooking and cleaning are shared responsibilities.

Activities & Shift

May (preparing the lands with sheep manure, sowing, cover with cut grass) and September (harvest, planting trees, digging, picking and conserving, making marmalade/juice/pickles etc)