Learn about Vegetable and fruit production in a Permaculture farm surrounded by forest and a healing environment. Be part of the development of an Agroforestry system combining different crops, fruit and timber species. Practice community life, be involved in the decision making and become one of our family members for the time you choose to join us. Take home and implement all you learn with us to make the change!
Finca la Quimera was established in a property with no public services. Water supply and management have been great challenges in this area, as well as the management of waste and the high use of agrochemicals in the country .
At La Quimera we capture and manage our own water in the most efficient way possible, receiving most of our water supply from 2 watersprings within the farm and also from rain supply.
We support businesses that work sustainably, and we try to make the best decisions in terms of what to bring into the project, making sure we have a way to manage the waste products may generate.
The Farm offers an educational volunteer program since 2020 in which our volunteers work for about 5 hours a day, from Monday to Friday .
This program is carried out to educate all interested people in a much more sustainable and self-sufficient lifestyle. Helping the farm grow in this direction and making possible generating enough food abundance for the community living in it.
Having volunteers coming in an out of the project is a great way to have a positive impact in the world and also to bring in new and interesting ideas to implement in the farm. It is always a great exchange that makes everyone grow and evolve in the right direction.
The living areas at the farm consist in a main big outside common kitchen and library area where we all meet for meals and chill, that overlook the farms fields and the mountains and forest around us.
A workshop by this area where we keep all the farming supplies, tools and working materials.
Then just a minute downhill there is the Volunteers shared cabin which is a newly built cabin that can host 6-7 people.
In a secluded spot in the farm there is also a big and beautiful private Bungalow in the forest that is usually up for rent or available for volunteers that want more privacy, families or couples.
And finally closer to the common areas and the volunteers accommodation home there is the founder's cabin (Where Alba and her baby live.)
Around the farm there is various trails that go through some parts of the forest, a trail to our water reservoir and also down to the river Jicotea.
The Farm and its surroundings are located in a very mountainous part of the country sometimes quite steep, we are always working on slopes, this works really well for some crops and this allows us to use gravity for our water supply.
Everyday Alba or the team leader will be explaining the tasks (previously planned for the whole week) making sure everyone understands what needs to be done and why we do it and that everyone is comfortable with the work and can choose which things they want to get involved with and in which order.
Most of the time Alba will be working with the group or guiding the work step by step. Sometimes one of the local workers that sometimes works in the farm will join us, who is very experienced in both farming and living in the country side and have a great relationship with the project.
Volunteers are expected to keep a respectful and healthy attitude towards the farm, neighbors and surroundings. We appreciate very much a proactiveness and good communication skills, everything can be learned, It´s attitude is what defines the experience ;-)
At the farm we wake up early and go to bed very early too (around 8 pm) so we ask volunteers to keep the quiet times after 8:30 pm please.
Since we don't have any waste or garbage services close by, we ask volunteers to take back with them the waste they generate that can't be separated In our recycling bins. Thanks !!
Volunteers at La Quimera farm are in a safe place where they can communicate freely and will be listened and taking into account for anything important they want to share. They will have plenty of personal free time and we will make sure that their spaces are safe and comfortable. The schedules of work can be flexible in case they want to take a weekend or afternoon trip.
They will always be provided with sheets and blankets for their beds and they will get clean sheets every 10-14 days.
We can provide volunteers a lot of practical info about the area and the country in general. We always look after our volunteers and we create bonds and friendships that go beyond the farm work and their time spent here.
This are some things that will be very useful for volunteers to bring for a more comfortable work time and stay:
- Front light / flashlight (* means very important)
- Rubber boots (depending on season)
- Work gloves*
- Hat or cap*
- Raincoat , umbrella *
- Work clothes*: Long and short sleeve shirts and long pants.
- Warmer clothes* for earlier and later times in the day or to sleep in (nights can be very cold and humid.)
- Sunscreen*
- Repellent
- Environment friendly hygiene products or soaps.*
- Towel*
- Refillable bottle
- Basic first aid kit (disinfectant, band aids, medicines you think you may need...)
Situated at an altitude of 800 m, we enjoy a privileged climate, usually warm during the day and cool at night. Therefore, we recommend warm clothes for some cool mornings or to sleep in.
The farm is located 600 m from the main road down a fairly steep slope, this road to the farm is for 4x4 vehicles only.
- What the volunteers will be doing
The most important tasks that the Volunteer group Carries out are :
- Improvement and maintenance of the greengarden area and all its elements. ( mostly fixing beds + steps, weeding, mulching, fertilizing, spraying liquid mountain microorganisms).
- preparing the beds for cultivating and planting .
- -Feeding the chickens, cleaning and caring for the chicken coop.
- Arrangements in the cabins ...(Fixing details, cleaning)
- Maintenance of trails. (Cleaning, weeding)
- Improvement of the common areas and kitchen ( organizing, varnishing...etc)
- Organize and tidy workshop, cleaning of tools.
- Preparing the groups meals and cleaning of the kitchen and communal areas ... etc.
- Help with shopping in town for supplies, fruits & veggies at at local stores or farmers market... etc.
- Domestic help around common areas and volunteers cabin.
