Production of passion fruit, mushrooms and flowers
Azores
Plantado de Fresco, Hortofloricultura, Lda.
Plantado de Fresco, Hortofloricultura, Lda. is a small but ambitious farming project on the island of Faial, in the Azores — a place where the ocean meets volcanic landscapes and life still follows the rhythm of nature.
For years, our work has focused on the commercial production of cut flowers for export to the Dutch market, passion fruit, apples, and citrus for local sale, and certified organic mushrooms for the Azorean market.
Now, we are entering a new phase — a transition from a purely commercial farm to a living, regenerative project where food, community, and creativity come together.
This evolution takes shape in our vision for Quinta Viva — a place where agriculture and ecology coexist with hospitality, learning, and cultural exchange.
Our mission is to produce and celebrate food in a regenerative and inclusive way, to engage with both the local and global community, and to offer transformative experiences — through farm stays, shared meals, and educational opportunities — that close the “farm-to-table” cycle.
Our values are agroecology, transparency (an open kitchen where everyone can see and learn), shared learning, conviviality, and sustainable living.
In this new chapter, WWOOFers play a vital role.
Those who join us bring more than extra help — they bring new perspectives, creativity, and ideas that help shape the future of Quinta Viva. Together, we will test small ideas, experiment, and learn by doing.
We see WWOOFers as pioneers in this transformation — people who will help us build bridges between what the farm has been and what it is becoming. Some may even wish to stay longer and become part of the ongoing story of this place.
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Location and Accommodation
The farm is located in the parish of Castelo Branco, about 10 minutes by car from the city of Horta, where WWOOFers can find everything they might need — supermarkets, hospital, entertainment, and the ferry terminal for the neighboring islands of Pico and São Jorge (Pico is only a 30-minute ferry ride away).
Accommodation is a fully equipped wooden house with two bedrooms, located just a 10-minute walk from the farm, behind the owner’s residence, where he lives with his family. There is also a small supermarket and a bus stop nearby.
Lunch is shared with the owner and his family, while dinners are more flexible and can be enjoyed independently.
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Main Production Areas (Current Focus)
At this stage, our main production areas are:
Proteas (flowers): Transplanting, watering, pruning, harvesting, and maintenance of fields and nurseries. From November to April, this is our most active area, with work focused on harvesting, processing, packaging, and shipping flowers for export.
Passion Fruit: Greenhouse setup and repair; transplanting, watering, pruning, and harvesting — part of our growing effort to expand sustainable fruit production for the local market.
We also have facilities and experience in organic mushroom cultivation, though production is currently paused. We plan to restart this area soon — ideally with the contribution of WWOOFers interested in sustainability, microbiology, or food innovation.
While much of the daily work still reflects the farm’s traditional production cycle, WWOOFers will also have opportunities to get involved in the early stages of our new vision — from ecological construction and composting systems to creative reuse of materials, community projects, and experiments in regenerative growing.
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Our Experience with WWOOFers
We have participated in the WWOOF program before. While our first experience presented some challenges — mainly due to accommodation being too far from the farm — it was an important lesson.
Now, we’re ready to offer a closer, more connected experience, where everyone can share knowledge, ideas, and good food.
WWOOFers can expect a flexible schedule, averaging 5 hours per day, Monday through Friday. The work changes with the season, and creativity is always welcome.
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Life on the Island
Faial — and its neighboring islands Pico and São Jorge — offer breathtaking trails, volcanic peaks, ocean views, and a sense of peace that invites reflection and connection.
In my free time, I enjoy scuba diving, spearfishing, and hiking. I love to cook — but even more, I love to share food and stories around the table. One day, I hope our farm will have its own small restaurant, where we can celebrate everything that grows here — from the soil to the plate.
If you’re looking for more than just a place to volunteer — if you want to help shape a project in transition, learn, share, and leave a mark — then Plantado de Fresco might be the right place for you.
Here, you’ll be part of a change in progress: helping us nurture both the land we cultivate and the vision we’re growing together.
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Learning opportunities
Fruit or nut farming
Flower farming
Methods or systems
Biological pest control
No-till farming
Regenerative agriculture
Host type
Production farm
Certified organic
5
Hectares
|
12.4
Acres
Emanuel
Member since 2022
Languages spoken:
English, French, Portuguese, Spanish
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 73%
Response time: typically within 4 days
Azores
Aeroporto da Horta - ilha do Faial - Açores
Reviews
Emily
United States
•
April 2023
As I'm sure is the case with many WWOOF hosts (especially new WWOOF hosts), there was a general lack of communication/management. Perhaps it was not a good time to accept WWOOFers; Emanuel has many projects he is working on . We did not get the opportunity to work with mushrooms or flowers and instead spent our time clearing trash and brush from the farm. That being said, I had a wonderful time going to work every day: beautiful land, good music, great friends. Many thanks to E, the farm manager who supervised us, and V, the intern who we lived with.
The house was lovely as well and spacious enough for 6. Beautiful view of Pico, new appliances, and walking distance to shops, cafes, etc.
Thank you for an incredible experience!
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