The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: MelRice on June 17, 2011, 10:39:02 am

Title: My barn is Kaput
Post by: MelRice on June 17, 2011, 10:39:02 am

HI I'm Mel and we live on a sort of smallholding in eastern Germany...We came here because the older property is very cheap!!!! My main problem at the moment is the state of my barn, it has a huge hole in the roof. Does anyone know any good ways of finding people to help me mend it? I can provide accom,food and help with travel but need muscle power...any ideas where to look?
 Ive read a few posts and you seem a chatty group. Ive got an ex-racehorse that I brought with me, four sheep,14 bunnies,16 hens of various sizes and ages,1 quail(the rest were eaten in a pine martin attack!) and two cats....and a huge veg patch and fruit orchard....must go and get on always something to do.

Title: Re: My barn is Kaput
Post by: nihicib2 on June 17, 2011, 10:46:14 am

Hi Mel

I dont know if Germany has a WWOOF site but here in Ireland we are members of the WWOOF organisation, basically you provide food and board for people who volunteer on your property, in turn they help you with work on your farm, you must specify the hours of work, conditions and facilities available and also I would insist on them having insurance (which is available on the WWOOF site).  This is our second year being hosts and we find it great, we meet people from all over the world, some stay for a month other stay for two weeks, you can specify on your profile page if you want people to stay longer term, if you need experienced volunteers etc.

Don't know if its what you had in mind but worth a look

Brid

Title: Re: My barn is Kaput
Post by: HappyHippy on June 17, 2011, 11:15:19 am

Hi & welcome to the forum  :wave:

An alternative to WWOOF is HelpX - it's all internet based (WWOOF issue a book every year I believe) you can set up a host profile and either look for helpers (there are helper profiles and reviews to browse & read) - I've not had any helpers through HelpX yet, but have had a few enquiries - here's a link to it https://www.helpx.net/index.asp (https://www.helpx.net/index.asp)
Hope that helps (and I hope you get your roof fixed  ;))
Karen x

Title: Re: My barn is Kaput
Post by: JulieS on June 17, 2011, 12:56:45 pm

I've registered with HelpX and have some different people booked up to arrive over the summer.

It seems a good.........I'll let you know how it goes, the first ones arrive on 1st July.

Title: Re: My barn is Kaput
Post by: SallyintNorth on June 17, 2011, 04:25:58 pm

Welcome Mel, sounds like you have your hands full there!

I don't know how WWOOF Germany is run now, I've lost touch a bit, but most WWOOFs (including the UK) are now internet-based and most also offer a book if you want one.  WWOOF Germany's website is http://www.wwoof.de/ (http://www.wwoof.de/)

Hope you find someone to help, how and wherever you look for them.

Sally (in north Cumbria)   :wave:

Title: Re: My barn is Kaput
Post by: Hilarysmum on June 18, 2011, 07:45:56 am

Hi welcome.  Hope you find help with your barn soon.  Its very sad to see the number of beautiful buildings that are left to rot here.  (Brittany)

Title: Re: My barn is Kaput
Post by: MelRice on July 06, 2011, 03:42:21 pm

Thanks for the suggestion/link to HelpX. it looks promising. I just hope they come now!