Sustainable Community Farm in Northern Germany – Building a Sheep Barn

CODE:

Work:

At the heart of this two-week volunteer camp is the construction of the new wooden sheep barn. Together with experienced Posthof residents, volunteers will take part in a variety of practical, hands-on tasks involved in building the barn.

Examples are:

Construction of the wooden barn structure and wooden walls
Laying out paddock slabs on the sheep pen
Setting up enclosures and fencing
Paving the stable floor
Sanding, painting and varnishing
In addition, there will be odd jobs and other outdoor tasks around the Posthof, such as animal care (chickens and sheep), gardening work and pasture maintenance (e.g. weeding, mowing, harvesting fruit and vegetables, creating new garden beds) as well as helping in the food cooperative (e.g. cleaning and stock shelves).

The study part of the volunteer camp focuses on sustainable and community living and reconnecting with nature. There will be a welcome and farm tour to get to know the Posthof project and your hosts and to gain insights into sustainable and communal living. The volunteer camp will also include environmental education activities such as sheep yoga and nature awareness exercises held in forest and meadow settings.

Accommodation:

• A yurt (rainproof) will be the shared sleeping accommodation. Anyone who prefers a more private/gender-separated accommodation can bring their own tent or borrow one free of charge on request; one caravan is also available on request in case tent accommodation is not possible for you or if someone becomes ill
• Outdoor kitchen with covered seating area
• dry, warm common room
• Good sanitary facilities with toilets, an indoor shower and an additional outdoor shower option
• good internet

Food: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided throughout the camp. Cooking will be shared among participants on a rotating basis

What to bring:

• Sleeping bag and sleeping mat
• Sturdy closed work shoes/boots and appropriate work clothes (for both sunny and rainy conditions)

Requirements:

• Interest in organic farming and sustainable living. Participants should be comfortable with moderately physical outdoor work in variable weather conditions.
• A big plus: Craft skills and previous hands-on or construction experience.

Location:

Northern Germany (Schleswig-Holstein, near Rendsburg, 100km North of Hamburg) We encourage to use green travel options to arrive to the camp. If you have to take a flight, the closest airport is Hamburg. You will have bikes at your disposal, so you can explore the surrounding area. On the weekends, you can take trips to the North Sea island close by (Sylt, Föhr, Amrum).

About the Organisation:

This workcamp is organized by the German branch of Service Civil International (SCI). SCI Germany was founded in 1946 and is approved as a non-profit organisation. As the German branch of Service Civil International (SCI), we are part of one of the oldest globally active peace and volunteer networks worldwide. SCI Germany aims to promote peace, non-violence, international solidarity, social justice, sustainable development and cross-cultural exchange through international voluntary work. We cooperate with a network of branches and partners in more than 90 countries. Every year, SCI Germany organizes about 20-25 international workcamps in Germany.

Fees: 50.00 Euros