Development of Organic Farm in Provence

  France

• Aix-en-Provence: 
Aix-en-Provence

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: February- September 2009

Description: The association "La ferme de Noe" has purchased a property of 4 hectares in the village of Trets en Provence, to make an open farm with organic market gardening, an educational farm for children and suffering people and a restaurant. The association counts 50 members, principally young people who participate in the development of the farm.

The volunteers will participate in agricultural work, planting and harvesting, removing of weeds, animation activities with children, maintenance of the buildings, installation of folds for animals in the pine wood in front of the house. As the farm also functions as pedagogical farm hosting visitors, volunteers may (if they wish) participate in the preparation of meals for the visitors. Volunteers will work under the supervision of the active members of the association.

Possible free time activities during the project include discovering Marseille, Aix en Provence and the surrounding villages; exchange with the associations working with La Ferme de Noe; horse riding at the farm La Manade, a partner of la Ferme de Noe.

The project dates are as follows:
February 21, 2009
February 25 - March 14, 2009
March 18 - April 4, 2009
April 8 - April 25, 2009
April 29 - May 16, 2009
May 20 - June 6, 2009
June 10 - June 27, 2009
July 1 - July 18, 2009
July 22 - August 8, 2009
August 12 - August 29, 2009
September 2 - September 19, 2009

Located in the Southern part of France, a few kilometers from the center of the village of Tret en Provence, the farm is in the middle of the vines, in front of Sainte Victoire (a preserved mountain). Nearest towns are Marseille (40 km) and Aix en Provence (25 km). The nearest train station is Marseille St Charles.

Qualifications: Volunteers should be interested in contributing to the development of the project; to work at different tasks according to the needs.

Cost in US$: $290 US

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Motivated to work voluntarily within an international team, tolerant, open-minded and cooperative person with adventurous spirit.

Age Range: 20 - 30 years old

This Program is open to American and Canadian Participants.

Participants Travel to France Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

CADIP - Canadian Alliance for Development Initiatives and Projects's Mission Statement: CADIP promotes peace, cooperation, tolerance and understanding in international, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural surroundings. The organization also promotes patterns and examples of civil activities focused on serving others, on building social ties and strengthening communities, on supporting civil society development. Aims and general objectives: * To promote volunteering as an expression of civic contribution * To strengthen the international contacts among young people * To build tolerance and understanding in multicultural and multi-ethnic surroundings *To promote multiunderstanding among youth all over the world * To facilitate the individual growth of the volunteers through the acquisition of work, life and learning skills * To work for the recognition and promotion of non-formal learning * To support the community initiatives and assist in community development.