Damian and Simona's Smallholding

Location: Písek u Jablunkova, Czech Republic

We (Simona and Damian) are part of an extended family, living in 4 houses on the same plot. We grow some of our own food, and keep 2 horses (soon to be 3), 7 sheep and poultry. We don't sell anything, just for our own needs and for friends. We brew our own beer, wine, and press our own juice. Sometimes distill harder stuff.

I grow the veg, and own the sheep. My Wife had one horse, sold it, but when the foal is born, we will have a horse again, her sister has two. Her father looks after the poultry and grows crops in the fields with me. Her Mother has a small veg plot.

We are not afraid of making our own tools, and have a home made tractor, and a soil trommel. The Open Source Ecology organisation / website is very interesting for me right now.

Accommodation is in a 2 bedroom cottage we have built in the garden, Food:- you can either eat with us in the evenings, or cook for yourself (the cottage has a kitchen). Breakfast and lunch you will have to make yourself (we provide food). We are meat eaters, but have no problem cooking vegetarian if you are that way inclined.

Internet:- We have Wifi in the cottage, and can lend you a laptop or computer for use in the cottage if needed.

We keep a google spreadsheet of jobs to do, you can look at it here:- https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AgvSe_nNQLBydEJfTm10VW95c0c0SVhBVkNaVExRT0E&usp=drive_web#gid=1

We live in a village with several pubs and shops, there is a small town 3km away, where you can get everything you need. The area isn't too spoilt (yet) although there are 3 small (international) supermarkets in the local town. We are surrounded by national park, so hiking 5 minutes away from the village. Mushroom foraging 3 minutes away.

There is a strong regional identity to this part of the world, which contributes to the strong tradition in folk music / dancing and self sufficiency

Our land (aside from our gardens) is @ ~1Ha Horse grazing, ~1Ha Sheep Grazing, ~1Ha Forest, ~0.5Ha crops.

In our Gardens we have veg plots, a greenhouse, and very soon a passively heated/ cooled poly-tunnel.

I work 9-5 in a nearby town, so are usually not around during the day (on weekdays), so this time is your own - although if you are happy to work on your own at these times, then I can give you stuff to do. We work in the garden/fields in the evenings/weekends.

We have bikes which you can borrow. Occasionally a car.

If you are a native English speaker, then we may be able help you to find you a few hours a week of paid work - Teaching English / Looking after Kids. Not for us, but people we know make a living teaching English.