LEPANIIDI ORGANIC FARM

Code: 3d44602be710898b1c43e4e78db82751 Copied

Estonia Farming Youth activities Environment Farming Youth activities +2 Fixed dates

About the project

📝 Detailed information

🏢 About the local organisation

According to the Nordic sagas Hiiumaa emerged from the Baltic Sea as a small islet more than 10 000 years ago. The island of Hiiumaa was first mentioned in historical documents as a deserted island called Dageida in 1228. The first inhabitants settled down at the end of the 13th century. Nowadays Hiiumaa is the second biggest island of Estonia with the area of 965 sq. km and the population around 9 000. It has many historical and nature sights, and there are kind people known for their hospitality and good sense of humor. The island is referred as a remote area of Europe, so EstYES feels particularly proud developing international voluntary projects for over 20 years there. For years EstYES has been cooperating with farms all over Estonia for solidarity and practical support to local people who work in agricultural sector keeping traditional life style and developing new eco-farming despite of all difficulties. Lepaniidi Farm on Hiiumaa Island is one of such projects. This is an organic farm promoting sustainable lifestyle, and camp is proposed for volunteers who appreciate and share its values, want to learn more about it and to help hard working people.NB It is possible to adapt the arrival date to your availability.

💼 What the programme involves

Lepaniidi Farm has currently about 100 sheep for producing meet and wool, over 40 goats, 20 of whom are for milk and goat cheese production. Volunteers will be helping grazing, feeding, milking the goats, processing the milk, but also picking berries and vegetables. So, in the mornings there will be goats milking, at days - picking the berries and fruits (strawberries, raspberries and blackcurrant) and making a jam/juice or there will be work in vegetable garden, removing weeds, picking vegetables, etc. Towards end of summer volunteers will be mainly picking up and sorting vegetables (potatoes, carrots, beetroots), milking goats and making cheese. Participants will have a great chance to get familiar with various farm jobs and even to learn how to make goat cheese Inside of the house it would be great to give some hand cooking and cleaning around. The working day will be 6-7 hours, 5-6 days a week (NB: milking is every day). Work will be supervised by local hosts with whom volunteers will stay sharing work and leisure as a family.

🏠 Accommodation on site

The accommodation conditions at the farm is simple but decent - in old sauna house or caravan but on beds. Please bring your sleeping bag. Toilets and showers are available in the main house; there is also traditional Estonian sauna in the farm. There is a kitchen with necessary equipment for cooking, which volunteers may use freely i just like at home. Usually volunteers will have breakfasts and lunch together with farmers cooked and served by the hosts, but you always can help with cooking. Dinners will be prepared by volunteers.

📍 About the location

LocationHiiumaa Island, Kaina parish, Ristivalja village, Lepaniidi farm. Hiiumaa Island is in the west of Estonia, 140 km from Tallinn. More information on www.hiiumaa.ee or www.visitestonia.com Leisure timeThere are lot of natural picturesque sights in the area. Sea cost is 7km away and there is a possibility to take the bicycles to go swimming. It is possible to visit other parts of Hiiumaa Island on weekend. Hiiumaa offers a lot of events on weekends in summer. Hosts plan to arrange some tours around the island. This camp is absolutely suitable for people who enjoy nature and interested in traditional ways of rural living.

⚠️ Requirements

Special requirementsMotivation letter is required. You have to be ready to adapt to the simple conditions of the common life in the country side of Estonia and be willing to do farm work, which can be hard sometimes. Not suitable for lactose allergic participants since host offers a lot of dairy products. The host eats a lot of meat products too, but volunteers can always cook for themselves. Smoking and drinking alcohol is not allowed in this camp. Participation feeWe ask participants to contribute 60 Euros towards the costs of the general administration. This fee has to be paid by bank transfer before the beginning of the stay. If you cannot make it, ask your sending organization for solution.

Interested in this project? Create your account and apply online.