Quinta da Granja

A traveler should choose to be here if they are actively seeking to live in nature and with animals. This is not a party farm so it offers a chance to do meaningful work in a beautiful landscape with lots of time for self reflection. Most important, you will learn practical skills about how to look after livestock in a mountain ecosystem and about forest regeneration, carbon sequestration and biodiversity.

The work day starts at 8 AM.

Additional learning comes from working in this ecosystem on the Douro River and how to regenerate soil from invasive eucalyptus which are a plague across southern Europe.

I do NOT accept volunteer applications of less than 2 weeks.

I am reluctant to accept volunteers who are younger than 22 and have no other verified volunteer experience on this or another platform.

I am 47 years YOUNG and have worked with farmers in more than 38 countries including Afghanistan, Kenya, Syria and Vietnam. I am very high energy and passionate about credible sustainability and will teach anyone that is willing to learn. I work best with people who are self motivated and independent. I value every volunteer who comes to my farm and am committed to everyone having a positive experience. First, I spend time to communicate with any potential volunteer before they commit and travel to Marco de Canaveses and ensure a smooth arrival at the local train station. Second, I spend a lot of time and energy in both preparing for your arrival and meal planning. This is the best way i can show my immediate appreciation for the daily efforts being made. You have a clean room, hot shower and nutritious food. If you do not want to do physical work, this is not the right volunteer experience. Even if you volunteer to work on social media, you will be expected to do physical farm chores.