Help needed with sheep and other tasks

Location: Børselv, Finnmark, Norway

We are a Christian couple who are interested in the organic idea. We have sheep and grow vegetables, potatoes and some berries. Our plan is to build a sustainable organic sheep operation. We have around 70 adult sheep as of today. Here the work will consist among other things in fencing, basic carpentry, chopping wood, preparing dormant fields for organic cultivation, forest clearing, and herding sheep. We have some problems with predators (lynx) and want to do what we can to protect the sheep and go for zero losses. Our plan is also to grow organic vegetables and potatoes for daily use during the whole winter. We have vegetable fields, a potato field, and four greenhouses in various sizes. We grow most of the short season/cool climate vegetables, and also try to grow exotic things like figs, melons and sweet potatoes despite our arctic climate – besides tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, peppers and beans in the greenhouses. To start organic farming is demanding. It is important that you understand it will take time before we can do this in the most rational way. Our desire is that those who want to come to our farm are positive to the organic idea, are honest, industrious, flexible and enterprising with good spirits and rejoice in the fact that we can grow so many varieties in the arctic climate. We appreciate that you do not smoke, we do not want drunkenness or any kind of drug use. We can provide light 24 hours a day and midnight sun during summer, northern lights and polar night during winter, good experiences in a wonderful and quiet nature, good simple food, lodging in houses, interesting and educational work hours. We prefer that volunteers to stay for at least three weeks though it is not an absolute requirement. However, what is an absolute requirement is that you know how to take responsibility and understand that you come to us because we need help on our farm. What we can offer for sure is a pleasant and inclusive atmosphere, wild and beautiful nature and changeable weather.

WORKING ARRANGEMENT

We as farmers work a lot. The volunteers we have here in our home and farm are normally happy to follow the plan for the day.

LIVING ARRANGEMENT

You will get the opportunity to stay with us and in one of our guest rooms. I will provide all the bedlinen and towels. Hearty home cooked meals typical Norwegian farming food but we can cater for other needs vegetarian, vegan ect. Some days you may help in kitchen too, and learn to make a Norwegian dish to bring home, and if you like to make a cake or something special from your home, please do. Please let us know before hand of any dietary requirements