Goat Farm with Forest Regeneration and Community Carbon Scheme
Porto
I DO NOT ACCEPT APPLICATIONS UNDER THE AGE OF 22
I DO NOT ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FOR LESS THAN 2 WEEKS
My name is Rachel. I own the farm and moved to Porto 4 years ago. I have had a 20-year career training the world´s poorest farmers and building sustainable food supply chains. I am passionate about local food and hands-on climate action to conserve and regenerate local ecosystems and forest landscapes. Currently, I have no paid help on the farm so WWOOFs work and train directly with me, including daily herding or other farm chores and projects.
A traditional goat farm on the stunning mountains above the Douro river needs help with the daily tasks. The farm is located in the district of Porto, 45 minutes from the city. It's the home of a SMALL herd of boer goats used to clean and fertilize land and produce ethical, local meat. Additionally, the farm is part of a 10,000 HA forest landscape regeneration and community carbon scheme to be announced in Q4 2025. The BIG commercial herd was sold in summer 2024 but there is still a small herd to work with and learn including new kids (cabritos from winter / Spring 2025).
That means clearing the land of invasive trees and replant native tree species to rebuild the original flora and wildlife ie biodiversity and soil fertility.
This farm´s priority is animal welfare. We work hard to keep the herd happy and healthy. The farm still produces local meat. Local meat is a critical strategy to reducing demand for imported meat, also fed GMO soy and corn. These 2 crops are leaders in the deforestation of rainforests. This herd eats no soy or corn and is a part of the brand. The farm no longer produces meat and the commercial herd was sold in 2024. The remaining herd is used for land cleaning.
I GIVE PRIORITY TO WWOOFS WHO APPLY TO STAY A MIINIMUM OF 1 MONTH OR FOR AN EDUCATION STAGE / INTERNSHIP. I do NOT accept applications for stays of only 1 week. PLEASE READ EVERYTHING IN THE PROFILE AND WRITE A THOUGHTFULL INTRODUCTION OR I WILL NOT SERIOUSLY CONSIDER YOUR APPLICATION.
WWOOFers are asked to help with daily chores include learning to herd goats, animal welfare, fencing, land cleaning and rebuilding stone walls. Land cleaning is most important to begin soil regeneration and prepare to plant new tree saplings and forest restoration. Rebuilding some of the farm´s original stone walls will also help to restore the landscape and regenerate the soil that has already been washed away by years of neglect and flooding in Spring 2023.
The daily workplan includes 3 three hours in the morning herding the goats out, while on the farm the time is used for cleaning the paddock or take care of general maintenance. We finish the workplan at 11 AM and you are free until 2 or 3 in the afternoon. In the afternoon, we work on bigger projects like cleaning the land or rebuild the stone walls. With the winter rain, we must all be flexible and work as a team.
HOUSING & LIFE SUPPORT
The primary housing is a room in the main stone house. The room has electricity, a refrigerator and small camper stove.
As of March 2025, THERE IS A NEW BATHROOM !!!!!!!! The farm provides unlimited wifi, REALLY good and nutrient dense food including a HOT breakfast and homemade, healthy dinners on ALL working days. I do NOT provide snacks, lunch or weekend meals. Monday - Thursday, meals are vegetarian and on Friday, I serve meat unless the team is ALL vegetarian. I offer free laundry on Saturday - 1 load per week.
The farm can accommodate a van, car or tent camping. There's also a firepit for a bonfire at night and a bbq for outdoor cooking
Preferably couples or groups, ideally with own vehicles, as the area is isolated. There's a tiny village in walking distance (1.2 KM), but the BIG supermarket is at least a 20 minutes drive down the mountain. Once a week, I visit Marco for larger food shopping. You are welcome to join. On Saturday, I am happy to drop you in PALA to take the train to Marco and then Porto.
No travel requests will be supported on Sundays.
You should be HAPPY to live with dogs. Currently there are 5 dogs on the farm including 3 rescue dogs. They bark at night but are all friendly. You must like dogs !!!
In the winter, the farm will only accommodate 2 or 3 WWOOFs so there will not be a large group of other young people. This farm offers more intensive learning about holistic land management, animal welfare and local food.
If you've read the whole profile please enter the code "goatlover" on your application.
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Cattle farming
Sheep or goat farming
Forestry
Meat processing
Food justice / sovereignty
Methods or systems
Animal drafting
Biodynamic agriculture
No-till farming
Regenerative agriculture
Host type
Production farm
22
Hectares
|
54.4
Acres
Rachel
Member since 2023
Languages spoken:
English, French, Hebrew
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 100%
Response time: typically within 2 days
Porto
Marco de Canaveses (Campanha Train Line from Porto)
Reviews
Clarence
Singapore
•
January 2026
Rachel was an amazing host who took such great care of us the volunteers. During my time at the farm, I learnt so much about forest regeneration, using livestock as tools to help regenerate the land as well the invasive plants that threaten the local floral biodiversity. She made sure that we were comfortable every step of the way and also made such delicious meals which sustained us through the entire duration. This was my first experience working on a farm and it definitely won't be my last. Looking forward to the great things that this project will become!
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Ida
Germany
•
November 2025
I spend 4 weeks at Rachels farm as my first wwoof experience. It is a unique experience and I really enjoyed my time there.
All the animals on her farm are very nice and especially the dogs are always looking for cuddles.
The farm is located on a mountain with a beautiful landscape but the next village is about 45min walking. The first two weeks I was the only volunteer at the farm. So when you’re not working you have to be able to keep yourself occupied (with books, laptop, workouts etc.)
In the morning I would normally take the goats out and watch them eat while listening to music or podcasts.
After coming back Rachel made me very yummie breakfast and in the afternoon we did different tasks on the farm.
A lot of reviews already said it and I can only agree. Rachel is a GREAT cook and I enjoyed every single meal she prepared for me.
All in all I really recommend Rachels farm especially for your first wwoof experience because she doesn’t expect you to have any previous skills and shows you how to do everything she asks of you.
Thank you Rachel
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Till
Germany
•
August 2025
Rachel’s farm is located in the Douro Valley with stunning views, offering a unique experience of goat herding. We really enjoyed the mornings, going out with the goats accompanied by all the cute dogs :)
Rachel manages the farm by herself and shared with us a lot of knowledge about goat farming, reforestation, and the challenges involved.
She is also a wonderful cook and takes great care of her volunteers. We had a gluten sensitivity, and Rachel always made sure to create excellent alternatives for us!
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Isha
United States
•
July 2025
I had a profoundly disappointing and distressing experience at this farm. Upon arrival, the host told me I was the first woman of color she had hosted, and unfortunately, that set the tone for the interactions that followed. Despite having clearly communicated my background (I’m a U.S. citizen of Indian descent, born and raised in Ohio), she made racially charged and condescending remarks, at one point stating I must have seen goats 'in my village in India,' even after I had told her multiple times that I had not lived there.
Throughout the stay, she frequently contradicted herself, created unnecessary conflict, and labeled us as 'problematic' for trying to clarify her instructions or defend myself. For example, she told us not to work the first day, then later berated us for not working. When I tried to gently remind her of what she had said, she reacted aggressively saying not to quote her because she has a “high IQ and a photographic memory”.
There were also frequent derogatory comments about local “humble” and “negative” Portuguese people, which made the environment even more uncomfortable. Tasks were often not aligned with the stated environmental mission; We spent time moving personal furniture and worked 6 hours when the profile said 5.
I left the experience feeling emotionally drained and unfairly targeted when I was trying my best to help. I would not recommend this host, especially to BIPOC volunteers or anyone expecting a respectful and collaborative exchange.
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Jule
Germany
•
March 2025
Die 2 Wochen (03/25) auf Rachels Farm waren das, was ich gerade in meinem Leben gebraucht hatte.
Rachel ist eine wundervolle Person mit einem riesigen Herzen für Tiere und für Menschen. Ich habe seehr gerne mit den Ziegen gearbeitet und die kleinen Babies behütet. Ich habe die erste Ziegengeburt meines Lebens miterlebt, die zwei gesunde Zwillinge hervorgebracht hat.
Es ist rührend, dass alle Tiere auf der Farm gleichwertig behandelt werden und zu Rachels Familie gehören. Die 6 Pflegehunde sind sehr liebevolle Wegbegleiter.
Der Tagesablauf war strukturiert, mit langen Pausen sowie super leckerem Essen versehen. Die Vormittage habe ich den Ziegen gewidmet, nachmittags selbiges, Gartenarbeit, Zaunreperaturen etc. erledigt. Rachel hat mich auch hin und wieder zu Besorgungen in die Stadt mitgenommen. An einem regnerischen Wochenendtag waren wir sogar mal zusammen in einem Schwimmbad. Ich war die erste Woche allein mit Rachel auf der Farm, die zweite Woche kam noch eine weitere sehr liebe Person die bereits das 3. Mal auf der Farm war.
Rachel war immer sehr bemüht, mir eine wunderbare und einzigartige Zeit auf der Farm zu bereiten. Das hat sie auch geschafft.
Ich bin ihr unfassbar dankbar für die Zeit, die Gespräche und das tolle Essen!!
Die Farm ist ein schöner Ort, um seinem grauen und festgefahrenen Alltag zu entfliehen und viele neue Eindrücke für seinen weiteren Weg zu bekommen.
Ein bisschen wie im „Cafe am Rande der Welt" (nur mit Tieren) :)!
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Christine
United States
•
October 2024
This is a beautiful farm overlooking the Douro River. WWOOFers get to herd the goats to aother beautiful surrounding farmland. Rachel owns the farm herself so it runs a bit like a homestead, with house repairs sometimes included in addition to traditional farm tasks. Rachel takes time to explain what it entails to begin working in forsetry and goat meat production. You really gain a deep undestaing of what it entails and what the local challenges are. She also takes great care making sure WWOOFers are well fed. She is an amazing cook!
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