Permaculture & Wellbeing farm developing regenerative activities for the Earth and people.
Évora
Hello WWOOFers, we are Anni & Miguel. We're a Finnish-Portuguese family living in out beautiful homestead in Évora, Portugal. Our Quinta Shiva project, that fully started about two years ago, focuses on permaculture and wellbeing. We develop our farm by permaculture principles, organize events and workshop, and during the summer weekly yoga classes. Currently, we have only a few farm animals; cameroon sheep and kunekune pigs as well as our friendly farm dog.
Our current volunteering needs are focused on construction on wood. We are hoping to hear from applicants with some experience in building/using tools and a physical strength to work on such tasks. In addition to building, the daily tasks may include:
- animal care
- gardening/garden care
- building (wood structures)
- composting and mulching
- cooking
- maintaining the common areas neat & clean (shared responsibility)
We will offer breakfast (sefl serve), lunch (together) and dinner (self serve). Anni, your host, is the main responsible for cooking the lunch. She has had great reviews from our previous volunteers thanking for the nourishing and delicious meals she serves. Occasionally, we can also agree that one of the volunteers cooks the lunch.
The housing is in a caravan (suitable also for couples), and shared (max 4 pp/tent) glamping tents during the summer season. In the common areas we have a fully equipped kitchen, bathrooms with hot shower and dry toilets, hot outdoor shower, little pool, sauna, and a hangout area.
You can swim in our pond, go out for a walk in the native forest path, cycle to Évora through a car-free route (6-7km), swim in the pool and enjoy the nature. Évora is a vibrant city (UNESCO heritage site and European Capital of Culture 2027) with lots to offer. You can reach the town by a local bus, cycling or uber taxi.
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Aromatic or medicinal plants, teas
Seed saving or production
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Green Building
Methods or systems
Biological pest control
Holistic management
No-till farming
Permaculture
Regenerative agriculture
Rotational grazing
Host type
Nonprofit / Community
2
Hectares
|
4.9
Acres
Anni
Member since 2025
Languages spoken:
English, Finnish, Portuguese
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 93%
Response time: typically within 4 days
Évora
Évora
Reviews
Bruno
Portugal
•
May 2026
Volunteering at Quinta Shiva was much more than I expected. At first, I mainly wanted to get away from the fast pace of the city, breathe properly, and slow down for a while. But it became a really enriching experience in many ways.
I learned a lot from Miguel and Ani, from using a brush cutter and taking care of animals to learning about plants, soil regeneration, and permaculture. Every day brought something new to learn, always in a peaceful and welcoming environment.
What I appreciated most was the sense of community. I met amazing people with values very close to my own and a genuine desire to help create a better world. There were also many special moments outside the work itself, like the saunas and the yoga classes with Ani, which I definitely recommend.
I am really grateful for this experience and I hope to come back in the future.
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Stefania
Portugal
•
May 2026
The week I spent here felt like a much-needed break from fast-paced living. Every being here - human or not - taught me important lessons. Miguel gently guided us into the rhythm of the farm and helped establish the foundation for a healthy routine. It had a lasting impact on me because even after returning home, I can still feel the benefits of how it helped me become more disciplined and live a more meaningful life. Anni heals you with her smile - and with her nourishing food. I’m grateful for the yoga classes she facilitated, as well as for her serenity, kindness, and openness. Being surrounded by nature and the animals brought me the peace of mind I needed and reminded me once again that we are all part of the same whole. It also made me more aware of the environment and inspired me to be more mindful of the impact I have on the Earth. It was truly a memorable experience, and I will definitely come visit you again someday. Greetings from Romania!
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Kateřina
Czechia
•
May 2026
Quinta Shiva was my very first WWOOF experience and I truly couldn’t have chosen better. From the first moment, I felt welcomed, safe, and at home. There is something truly special about this place – beautiful nature, peaceful energy, and people with huge hearts.
Anni and Miguel are incredibly warm, kind, and inspiring people. They generously shared their amazing knowledge about permaculture, composting, caring for the land, and also about caring for yourself: body, soul and mind. I learned so much during my stay!
The work is varied every day, so it never feels repetitive. Miguel and Anni always explain not only how to do each task, but also why it matters, which makes the work meaningful. If you ever need a change, they are very open and flexible.
Anni cooks delicious lunches, and there’s a well-equipped kitchen for other meals. She’s also a wonderful yoga teacher with a calming voice and a great approach: definitely join a class if you can.
Afternoons and weekends are free, so you can swim, explore the magical forest, go for a bike ride, visit beautiful Évora, or simply rest in a hammock under the pine trees and enjoy the peace.
My month at Quinta Shiva was unforgettable and I’m deeply grateful for this experience.
Thank you, Anni and Miguel, for everything – sending love to you, the girls, Panda, and everyone there.
Hope to see you again soon!
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MAURO
United Kingdom
•
November 2025
Working with Anni and Miguel at Quinta Shiva was a truly remarkable experience. Guidance, support and level or organization were excellent.
It was also a great opportunity to learn, practice, and ask questions about permaculture and rural life.
Overall it was an exciting, enjoyable, and enriching experience. I definitely endorse their project with the highest possible degree of recommendation.
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Saskia
Germany
•
November 2025
The time I spent at Quinta Shiva was profound and more than just a volunteer experience.
It was two weeks of luminous intensity that allowed me to grow inwardly. Anni and Miguel are two wonderful people filled with love and care, not only for themselves and their family, but also for animals, nature and their fellow human beings. From the very first moment, they made me feel welcome and at home.
The start of the day was something very special. We started together with some exercise, recharged our batteries with fresh energy and shared with each other. This has changed something wonderful in me that will last🙏.
After that, our day was filled with various tasks. We cut back trees, sifted bark, planted palm trees and I was introduced to the world of Composting inaugurated (🤪👍) and much more.
The tasks varied, and if I felt like a change from one activity, I was free to move on to something else. The great thing was that everyone looked out for each other. If something was too difficult or you didn't feel confident about something, it was no problem at all to skip it and do something else.
Miguel has an incredible amount of knowledge, which he passed on to me with ease, and taught me about permaculture and its philosophy.
I really enjoyed looking after the pigs and goats at lunchtime and then eating Anni's magical lunch!
Yes, she is a really good cook and a wonderful yoga teacher.It's a shame she doesn't teach around the corner from me! My journey was full of growth, depth...
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Hugo
Germany
•
October 2025
Our stay at Quinta Shiva was, without exaggeration, an incredible experience.
My partner and I learned a lot about a fascinating project involving permaculture. We received a very warm welcome from Anni and Miguel, who welcomed us with open arms and did their best to make us feel at home. Surrounded by animals and lush nature, we felt useful, and it also gave us lots of ideas for future projects. We came with the idea of taking a break from our daily lives and helping out, but we left with so much more after this experience. Thank you to them!
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