Host Profile
My Property
Property Name
Business Type
Farming methods
Short Property Description
Organic-certified and biodynamic-certified hazelnut farm just five minutes outside of Sheffield, Tasmania. We welcome WWOOFERS (single or couple) all year round, but particularly during our harvest period (mid-March to end of April). We especially welcome people who have an enthusiasm for growing things and/or caring for animals. If you also have experience that is a great bonus! (but not necessary). Our family consists of Greg and Elizabeth, a friendly but sometimes jumpy big dog, three cats, and about 25 cows. The farm is peaceful and picturesque, and has wonderful mountain views.
Full Property Description
We are a 50 acre farm consisting of two hazelnuts orchards (1200 trees), grazing paddocks, and native revegetation areas. A lovely creek (the Don River) flows through our property. We also have a house fruit orchard and vegetable garden. We have lots of bird visitors, and frequently see pademelons and sometimes platypus. It is a quiet and safe and beautiful farm.
The WWOOFER accommodation we offer is a small camper trailer (double bed, reading lamp, tiny eating table & storage for clothing). Fairly basic but comfortable! The trailer is parked close to our hazelnut processing shed which has full kitchen and bathroom facilities, a dining table and small library, and a wood heater for cold nights! Please see our website for some pics and information.
The WWOOFER jobs vary from season to season but include:
Summer/Winter/Spring: fencing, weeding, mowing, vegie garden (planting/weeding), helping to move cows from paddock to paddock, brush-cutting, pruning, helping with chain-sawing/gathering firewood, planting native trees, fertilising inc. biodynamic fertilising, assisting with hazelnut orders. And special projects inc. small building projects and restoration of a vintage caravan.
Autumn (Hazelnut Harvest) (Mar-Apr-May): helping with hazelnut harvest. You will need a reasonable level of physical fitness. We harvest using mats to collect the nuts (no machinery). We have regular breaks. It isn’t too arduous but our orchards are on slopes so you need to be able to cope with that. People who have helped in the past have said it is very enjoyable!
We are flexible about working arrangements. Happy to negotiate about working hours/days off etc. that suit all parties. We are a 40 min. drive from Cradle Mountain.
We will provide vegetarian meals. Of course there will also be hazelnuts to eat! We love to cook and eat delicious food so we welcome WWOOFERS who also have an interest in cooking/eating fresh, vegetarian food.
We like to lead a fairly quiet life and therefore welcome WWOOFERS who can be reasonably independent. You will have time alone in the evenings after a shared meal. Free internet (up to our monthly download maximum).
We can pick you up from Sheffield (only a 5 min drive). There is a bus from Devonport to Sheffield.
Both Greg and Elizabeth are qualified and experienced ESL teachers. We will do our best to help you improve your English!
We have a somewhat boisterous big dog called Eli. Eli is very friendly and loving but sometimes he jumps when he firsts meets people. There are some photos of him on our Facebook page and website.
Special Conditions
We welcome any WWOOFERS for stays of one day to four weeks. We can accommodate one person or a couple (who don’t mind sharing a cosy double bed) in our small camper trailer. The details of all stays have to worked out between us and you, the wwoofer(s) – we want everyone to be happy and to be gaining from the experience. We work reasonably hard but also like to enjoy life!
Skills WWOOFers can learn here
Organic practices & techniques, Biodynamic practices & techniques, Gardening, Composting, Pruning, Soil conservation, Mulching, Animal care, Using & caring for tools, Fencing, Handyman, Marketing produce
My Details
The Stay
Can Accommodate
Preferred length of Stay
2-3 days, 3-7 days, 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks
Accommodation
Meal Procedures
Share most meals, Share cooking
