Organic farm in Central Portugal
Coimbra
We, Karin, Emil, and dog Panga, are putting our efforts into creating a small, self sufficient, community connected farm by restoring what once was a pig-farm with stables and fields in a valley with a small river flowing through it and a piece of forest on the far side. We started in December 2021 and are slowly building up to having more animals next to our chickens and since 2024 a small flock of goats. Creating the necessary structures to sustain that. We are already eating a lot of produce from our vegetable garden and preserving food for the winter. 2023 we created a communal space for us and our volunteers to sit by the woodstove, cook and shower. Also we're clearing a large area for fire safety. We are fully off grid which means we get our electricity from our own solar system and a backup generator. Drinking water we filter from the available wells. The quinta is in a quiet valley without much traffic noise surrounded by nature but still only 5 minutes drive from Oliveira do Hospital.
There is always a list with tasks and stuff to do, so as a volunteer you can pick stuff you like, are good at or stuff you'd like to gain experience in.
Gardening, Cooking, Forestry work,
All kinds of building and creating,
Troubleshooting and fixing stuff and general maintenance, Playing music, Walking the dog, Solar electric system, Off grid water system and drinking water filtering, Irrigation and working with different types of pumps, Foodswap and markets, Social events.
As a volunteer you can participate in all the activities of daily life on the quinta and in the projects that are always happening.
We usually start the day around 8.30 with breakfast porridge, and lay down the plan for the day. So for instance we start off in the garden with collecting ingredients for lunch or dinner and doing some green maintenance. Then we work on the project at hand. When it's raining there's always projects in the workshop like building furniture or fixing stuff.
We have lunch at about 12.30 and after that we continue work or go shopping or whatever is necessary at that moment. We do our best to provide varied activities and alternate high- and low intensity tasks.
We have dinner at about 18.00 and after that we have free time to enjoy a walk or play music or whatever we want. We like to all participate in preparing meals and cleaning up afterwards. But sometimes depending on the tasks we choose one person to prepare a course from start to finish. So the others are free for a certain project.
Because we don't watch TV and our lifestyle we go to bed early most of the time. We make exceptions for due celebrations!
Emil studied music therapy, plays guitar and teaches Malinke percussion on djembe and doundouns. He is a self taught all round handyman who loves welding and building. And recently found the love for growing vegetables and gardening.
He likes to focus on one main project and now that's the quinta.
Karin handles the social relations and stays in touch with the local community of people that are all in their own right creating an alternative to mainstream life. She loves animals and takes care of the education of dog Panga and guest pets. Does most of the cooking and housekeeping. And food preservation and storage.
To enjoy nature you don't have to leave the quinta. It has a patch of forest which is connected to the surrounding hills and has several dirt roads, great for walking through the valley where you rarely run into other people.
There are lots of boulders to climb. Nearby there are beautiful river beaches in the Mondego, Alva and Dão rivers. And off course the high mountains of the Serra d'estrella. In the neighbouring towns there are nice bars, restaurants and terraces. And supermarkets etc.
With the coach from Oliveira do Hospital it's easy to visit places like coimbra and other cities. We sometimes visit local markets and events and as a volunteer you are more then welcome to join.
Read more
Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Viticulture
Wild foraging
Aromatic or medicinal plants, teas
Seed saving or production
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Traditional crafts
Renewable energy production
Mechanics / tools / technology
Methods or systems
Biological pest control
Biodynamic agriculture
Regenerative agriculture
Host type
Self-sufficiency property
2.7
Hectares
|
6.7
Acres
Accommodation
Emil
Member since 2022
Languages spoken:
Dutch, English, French, German
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 88%
Response time: typically within 3 days
Coimbra
Oliveira do Hospital has great connections by coach coming from Porto or Lisbon
Reviews
Nathanael
Germany
•
April 2025
Staying at Karin and Emil has been a very special and wonderful experience. They are both super welcoming, open and ready to share their live with you. From the first minute I felt really welcome and was allowed to participate in all activities going on on the Quinta. They are both open to ideas and exchange about projects and value initiative. Really an amazing place to experience what off grid live can be like. I really hope I manage to visit them again.
Thanks for everything!
Read more
Maria
Germany
•
March 2025
We had a wonderful time with Karin and Emil. Both are very warm and hospitable people. If you’re looking for your first experience in vegetable farming, this is the perfect place. Emil has a great way of explaining things and introduces you to the basics of gardening. He has clear ideas about how the work should be done, which gives the gardening tasks a more repetitive character.
However, depending on prior agreement, individual needs, and ideas that align with the farm’s requirements, you may also have the opportunity to carry out tasks with a bit more creative freedom.
Read more
Pelle
Netherlands
•
February 2025
From the moment I arrived I knew I would have a very nice experience. After two days I knew I wanted to stay for a longer time. Karin and Emil are wonderful people and they took very good care of me. I admire them for really listening to what you have to say without judging. During the three months I have stayed I have learned so many things, not only about quinta life but also more about myself. Tasks varied a lot such as: chopping wood, weeding/planting/harvesting in the garden, taking care of Panga the dog, the three new cats, chickens, goats and pigs. I have learned to use many different machines and tools which I am very grateful for as I did not have much experience in that field. The quinta is a really nice terrain and the area around the quinta is beautiful as well. I can’t thank them enough for everything I was able to learn and I gained many experiences which I can use later in life. I will definitely come back again as there is still a lot to learn and help with during other periods of the year. PS: If you love music you are at the right place :)
Karin and Emil, i love you and see you againnn 🫶🏼
Read more
Shadi
France
•
July 2024
We spent almost 3 wonderful weeks there,
Karin and Emil are very nice persons and we had the chance to share lots of things with them without obviously forgetting their dog Panga.
Helping them in their already successful quinta but while constantly evolving was very great!
We wish you good luck, to you, the goats, the chickens and your magnificent garden ahah
Read more
Jasmine
Belgium
•
July 2024
De sfeer op de Quinta met Emil, Karin en Panga was heel aangenaam. Ik kon me helemaal uitleven bij het koken. Er was altijd tijd voor een praatje als je al dan niet met 'iets' zat.
Iedere avond was ik doodmoe van het vele werken maar ik ben een pracht ervaring rijker.
Emma
France
•
July 2024
I had a wonderful two week stay with Karin and Emil (and Percy!) The farm is calm and so beautiful, the vegetable garden is a special place to be and work, and the baby goats, hens, and Panga give the place such a lovely energy. I found a great rhythm between working and spending leisure time together with Karin and Emil, and deeply appreciate their genuine hospitality, warmth, and humor. You both feel like family friends to me now, I’d love to come back someday and continue contributing to your beautiful project!
Read more
