Help with growing herbs and flowers while exploring İzmir, Turkey (2024)

Details

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  Our homestead is tucked away on a hill called Beylik, about 600 meters above sea level surrounded by trees and forest. There is a pine forest right next to us that is perfect for walks and nature viewing and peach, cherry, and plum trees on the neighbouring farms. Our location is ideal for someone who wants to be in nature and enjoys working with their hands and plants. My mother and I live in a stone house with an available room for someone who would be willing to come and give their time in exchange for a taste of Turkish village life and the nearby tourist attractions. I am a Turkish Canadian who loves growing and creating things but also works freelance as a translator. My mother is a retired guidance counselor and we moved to this area 2 years ago. We are in the beginning of setting up our place and we have vegetables, olive and nut trees, a few fruit trees and our main interest which is growing herbs and flowers. We are implementing regenerative farming practices that I am adapting from my experiences working and volunteering on farms in Europe. Our goal is to grow and process various herb teas, oils, salts, and flower products to sell locally and within Turkey. We are located in the hills near Şirince, a historic and popular mountain village. Şirince has drawn visitors for its beautiful old houses, wine, and gastronomy. We are also 15 minutes by car to Selçuk- an area rich with historical sites such as the Ephesus historical site, The Temple of Artemis and House of The Virgin Mary. We are also 1 hour from the İzmir Adnan Menderes international airport.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Farmstay help

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  What's this?

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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We hope to make you feel at home as an international duo. My mother and I have lived and worked in Canada and have moved many times so we are open and adaptable to different cultures. My mother speaks English and Turkish and I speak English, Turkish and some French that needs improving :)

  Social activities that we would like to share with our volunteer can include : going to the nearby beach in Selçuk, visiting historic sites in Ephesus and the surrounding ruins. Also going to Şirince- the mountain village nearby and having food or enjoying music. There is also a famous mathematics and philosophy organization that we can visit. There is also the possibility for mountain hikes and walks and spending time with locals and us.

  We are also happy to share skills and knowledge. We can undertake art projects, building projects, and herbal or horticultural ideas are all welcome depending on how much time we have together.

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  A typical day would include waking up quite early because this is a hot region and if you are coming in the summer we get up around 5-6 am most days and work for several hours before the summer heat becomes too intense. Then there would be a relaxing afternoon siesta time where you are free to do what you'd like or just relax inside. Then depending on our plans maybe some help in the evening as it gets cooler. You would be working alongside me and I am happy to share any skills that I have regarding growing, preserving, cooking and creating things with you.

  When we moved here, the land had been untended to and there was a lot of weed pressure. Since we don't use herbicides we have a lot of weed management to do by hand. However I will try to make our activities varied and we will switch through tasks to keep things interesting. The main tasks would be weeding, harvesting vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers. Also drying the herbs and flowers - making oil infusions, herbal products such as teas or salves and floral wreaths or crowns with the dried flowers. I also have a keen interest in fermentation and food- we also sometimes make things like kombucha and vinegar. Other possible activities can depend on your skillset- if you are good at building there can be some small building and repair projects or if you like cooking you can also help mum in the kitchen. Additionally we have two energetic kangal mixed breed rescue dogs who love to go on a walk and sometimes we go for foraging walks with them.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent
  Turkish: Fluent
  French: Intermediate

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  The accommodation is a private room in our house with a double-sized bed and you can use the household amenities. The 2 bathrooms are shared with us. We will be living together in our family household so you have access to the whole place and we hope you will care for it and love it like we do. Also I would appreciate if help is needed in the house that you would be willing to lend a hand.

  As for food- we eat a fairly Mediterranean diet. We are not vegan but we love vegetables and try to eat our homegrown produce whenever possible. Typical meals would include things like salads, bulgur, beans, eggs, yogurt, small meze olive oil dishes, vegetable stews and some meat dishes. Breakfast and dinner will be provided and we don't usually eat lunch but if you want lunch or a snack there is always something available for you to prepare for yourself.

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  What else ...

  For your days off- there are many things you can do and if we have time we would love to do them with you. Since we are a bit remote my mother or I would be dropping you off to areas nearby where you can either spend time or get public transit to go further exploring.

  By car: there is the Şirince village 5 mins away , nearby selçuk beaches 15 mins away, ephesus ancient site (20 mins away), Kuşadası (a very touristic beach town nearby) 30 mins away. Also 1 hour from Izmir which is a huge metropolis like Istanbul if you want to see the city sights. Again walking there is lots of nature and forest and many paths that we can explore as well.

  The way we divide labour is usually my mother takes care of the house/cooking and I do the outdoors work. So her wish for the house is that you treat it like your own and keep it tidy and use common sense. We would also love to have clear and open communication in the house - please talk to us about any concerns and let us feel comfortable talking to you about expectations, sharing duties etc...Also if you do smoke please do so outside and use an ashtray.

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  One

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  5 hours a day, 5 days a week with weekends off.

Host ref number: 438762834561