Organic farm for growing fruits and vegetables and reforestation
Castelo Branco
If you dream of living close to nature, working with your hands, and being part of a meaningful community, I invite you to join me in building a unique space in central-eastern Portugal by the Serra da Estrela mountains.
My name is Hanan, and for the past two years, I have been creating a sustainable farm that blends ecological living, movement, and creativity. This place is still growing, and there’s an opportunity for enthusiastic, hands-on people to help shape it.
The vision is to:
🌱 Develop a self-sustaining farm using permaculture principles
🛠️ Build infrastructure with natural and locally sourced materials
🍄 Launch a gourmet mushroom business to support the project
💃 Host dance, movement workshops and residencies, with a focus on Contact Improvisation (but open to other movement disciplines!)
🌿 About the Farm & Location
The farm is located near Covilhã, on the edge of Serra da Estrela National Park, an area known for its breathtaking landscapes, rivers, forests, and hiking trails.
🍏 What’s on the land?
Fruit trees and vegetable gardens
A natural spring providing fresh water
Small ponds for cooling off in summer
A recovering pine forest (previously affected by wildfire, now in regeneration)
A newly built dance studio-yurt where we host a weekly Contact Improvisation jam for the regional dancers
The farm is in a peaceful, wild area, great for people who love mountains, fresh air, and simple living. While it is a bit isolated, I have a car for occasional trips. Having your own vehicle is a plus if you like exploring, but not necessary if you enjoy a remote lifestyle.
The region is full of alternative projects, so if you’re interested in eco-living, permaculture, or community networks, there are many inspiring people and places nearby!
🛠️ Daily Life & Activities
Mornings begin with caring for the gardens, fruit trees, and forest. Work is varied and depends on the season.
In the afternoons, the time is yours! You can:
Explore the mountains (great for hiking and biking)
Swim in the river in summer
🌱Join weekly Contact Improvisation jams
🌱Come rock climbing with me
🌱 Relax & connect with the community
🌱 Tasks & Opportunities
This project is still in its early stages, so we’re looking for people who are motivated to build something from the ground up.
You can help with:
🏗️ Construction – Using natural materials (mainly pine wood from the land) to build infrastructure
🌱 Gardening & Agriculture – Planting and maintaining the vegetable garden & food forest
🌳 Forest Regeneration – Helping the land recover after the wildfire
🔧 General Maintenance – Fixing, organizing, and improving spaces
No prior experience is needed—just a willingness to learn and contribute!
🏡 Accommodation & Food
Where you’ll stay:
Old stone house (rustic but livable)
Caravan
Tent or van space (plenty of room for those bringing their own)
More eco-structures are being built!
Meals & Kitchen Use:
We share dinner together as a community
The kitchen is open for self-prepared meals the rest of the day
The diet is mainly vegetarian, but we are flexible
WWOOFers work 4-5 hours per day, 5 days a week, in exchange for accommodation, food & farm experience.
🌍 Who We’re Looking For
This place is great for people who:
✅ Love working outdoors and contributing to an eco-friendly project
✅ Are interested in movement, dance, or creativity (especially Contact Improvisation, Acroyoga, Circus Arts)
✅ Have skills (or are eager to learn) in construction, gardening, or sustainable living
✅ Enjoy community life but are also happy in a quiet, natural setting
✅ Appreciate the simplicity of rustic, rural living
✅ Are comfortable being in a remote location and connecting with nature
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Viticulture
Forestry
Beekeeping
Aromatic or medicinal plants, teas
Seed saving or production
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Green Building
Mechanics / tools / technology
Methods or systems
Biological pest control
Biodynamic agriculture
No-till farming
Permaculture
Regenerative agriculture
Host type
Self-sufficiency property
2.5
Hectares
|
6.2
Acres
Hanan
Member since 2025
Languages spoken:
English, Hebrew
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 87%
Response time: typically within 1 day
Castelo Branco
Covilhã
Reviews
Rom
Israel
•
November 2025
Here’s the translation:
Quinta Fonte dos Pasos
I volunteered at the farm for two weeks and it was an excellent experience. Hanan, the owner, is smart, interesting, and always full of good energy. I learned a lot — permaculture, woodworking, and off-grid living. The atmosphere is calm, pleasant, and surrounded by nature. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a meaningful and enriching volunteering experience.
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