LEPANIIDI ORGANIC FARM | EST MTV2 | 2024-06-03 - 2024-09-30 | AGRI | Age: 19 - 88

Hiiumaa according to the Nordic sagas 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 The island of Hiiumaa was first mentioned in historical documents as a deserted island called Dageida in 1228.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 10 000. 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 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.

Work: Lepaniidi Farm has currently about 150 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. During the autumn shift 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 grat to give some hand too etc. 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.

Accomodation and food: The accommodation conditions at the farm will be simple - 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.

Location: RISTIVALJA

Location and Leisure: 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 TerminalAirport, harbour, bus station in Tallinn. From the airport buses nr 2and 15 going to the city centre stops by the Tallinn Bus Station (Bussijaam). From there two times per day buses take you straight to Hiiumaa (including ferry transportation from the mainland). Timetables are available online at www.tpilet.ee and www.luxexpress.eu 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.

Airport: TLL

Train/Bus station: Kaina

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 120 Euros regardless the duration of stay 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 please contact your sending organization for solution.

TBC

Language: eng,eng

Extra Fee: 120 EUR

NB It is possible to adapt dates of the project to availability of volunteer, however the minumum stay is one month.