Organic Dimzeni Farm
Code: 20945948-f1be-11e9-abc3-00505603f1ab Copied
About the project
Organic Dimzeni Farm
📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
As citizens of EU, we agree that humanity needs “global ecological conversion” and are “committed to a life of dignity for all that reconciles economic prosperity and efficiency, peaceful societies, social inclusion and environmental responsibility”. We want to take part in promoting a new way of thinking about human beings, life, society and relationship with nature and we think that there is an urgent need for ecological education, based on the message of Gospel.
To reach that aim we have registered a nongovernmental organization (NGO) “Dimzēni”. The purpose of “Dimzēni” is to keep up and develop traditional Latvian rural lifestyle and culture, based on following values: human person, family and Christian faith and to create space for comprehensive dialogue between different social groups and
persons. The purpose is to learn to experience living together freely, consciously in sobriety, developing relations with oneself, others, nature and by sharing the good, true and beautiful, and experience world as a sacrament of communion.
Practically it means an offer of the value education program in the form of meetings, workshops, lectures, conferences, games, classes etc., based on the formal, informal and experience pedagogy. The offer is available for different social groups but the focus is on the children and youth. Activities are planned to be organized according to the rural farm
work rhythm, seasonal festivals and Christian liturgical year.
An important dimension of the project is close cooperation with organizations in European Union and other countries with the related aims and we welcome all the people of good will.
💼 What the programme involves
“Dimzēni” is a biological farm situated in the middle of Zemgale, 25 km from Jelgava on the left shore of the river Svēte. Farm has 11 ha of land, where 8 ha are used for shepherding goats and horses, and 3 ha are used for garden and farm's technical needs.There are 24 goats, 2 horses, 1 dog and 4 cats in Dimzēni. Goats give milk and guests of Dimzēni can shepherd them twice a day. Horses are keeping Dimzēni meadows clean and you can ride them (initially under supervision, later independently). Dog and cats are protecting house from wild animals (mice, foxes, etc.) and are friendly to friendly humans.
Objectifs : L’objectif du projet est de découvrir les activités de la ferme, la consommation durable et d’échanger avec la population locale sur leur mode de vie et leur culture.
Volunteers could take part in different types of works depending of the periods :
RESTAURATION : Whitewashing the stable./ Insolation of the windows / Painting / Building the fencce
GARDENING : Harvesting / chopping woods for the winter
ANIMALKEEPING : Shepherding the goats / Hay collection (depends on weather conditions)
FOOD PRODUCTION : Gardening / Milking the goats / Cheese production
Daily rhythm exemple :
7:00 goat milking (optional for guests, up to 3 persons can
join)/breakfast preparation
8:30 breakfast
10:00 goats/gardening/construction work
12:00 lunch preparation
13:30 lunch
15:00 coffee/tea
15:30 gardening/construction work/goats
17:00 diner preparation
18:30 dinner
19.30 free time/horse riding/music /workshops etc.
23.00 sleeping
🏠 Accommodation on site
Dwelling house of “Dimzēni” was built in the beginning of 20th century and is more than 300 square meters big. It was renovated in 2001-2004 trying to keep and to recreate authentic style and atmosphere of Latvian countryside as it was 100 years ago. Living conditions, of course, are better now (electricity, water pipes, canalisation), but still differs from city standards. Volunteers have a room and have access to the common spaces.
🍲 Food
We will eat basically vegetarian, sometimes some meat or fish. The milk products are local, biological from the farm. We buy vegetables from the neighbours and the bread from local biologically certified bakery. Volunteers are encouraged to cook.
📍 About the location
Dimzēni is an organic farm situated in the middle of Zemgale, 25 km from Jelgava on the left shore of river Svete. The closest shop, school andd other public institutions are 7 km away. There are just 4 buses per day. The local village Ūziņi has just 200 inhabitants. So it is a quite remote place.
🎒 Leisure activities
Sur le site, vous pourres tester Le sauna. C'est le plus vieux bâtiment de la ferme. De manière traditionnelle, on chauffe les pierres pour chauffer la pièce, qui peut atteindre en moyenne 70°. Le taux d’humidité y est de 100%. Il faut beaucoup de bois pour chauffer, c’est pourquoi on utilise le sauna seulement une fois par semaine, et par groupe de 6. Habituellement, ce jour est le samedi.
Plusieurs instruments de musique sont aussi disponibles dans la maison. Dimzeni organise des rassemblements de jeunes chrétiens avec des ateliers de musique et de méditation. S’il fait chaud, il est possible de se baigner dans la rivière. Les volontaires peuvent également visiter le Parc Naturel de Tervete (http://www.tervetesnovads.lv/wpcontent/uploads/2015/08/Welcome-to-Tervete.pdf). Une excursion et des ateliers dans la boulangerie locale sont parfois organisés en fonction des périodes.
⚠️ Requirements
Motivated people willing to enjoy simple life, natural environment and who are not afraid to discover traditional way of farming.
ℹ️ Additional information
The participation fees/donation is a)for group 15€(per person a day) and b)individual volunteers - 10 € a day. It covers all the needed instruments, gloves, accomodation, electricity, internet, 3 homemade meals a day, small trips (when possible), etc. ....
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Sign in to apply📷 Project photos
📅 Available sessions
Organic Dimzeni Farm-1
01/01/2021 → 31/12/2024
Organic Dimzeni Farm-1AUTO-EXT
01/01/2025 → 31/12/2028
ℹ️ Key information
Age required
16–99 years old
Solidarity donation
225.00 EUR
French tax residents may be eligible for a tax reduction of up to 66% of their costs (membership, plane tickets, solidarity donation).
📍 Location
Zaļenieki parish, Jelgava Municipality, Latvia
Latvia
🌍 Location info
Local currency
Euro Member Countries (EUR / €)
Timezone
Eastern European Summer Time
Local time: 21:53 (12/11/2026)
🛡️ Before you leave
✅ Features
🏠 Accommodation
🗣️ Languages spoken