Development of Organic Farm in Provence

  France

Marseille

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: See program dates.

Description: The association "La ferme de Noé" has purchased in 2003 a property of 4 hectares in the village of Trets en Provence, to create a social and organic farm. The association has 50 members. Friends and family members give a hand regularly for the development of the farm. The objective is to develop the economic aspect of the activity to achieve financial autonomy (visits of the public, restaurant, selling farm products).

The volunteers will participate in agricultural work, planting and harvesting, removing of weeds, maintenance of the buildings, installation of folds for animals in the pinewood in front of the house, taking care of farm animals. The farm also receives visitors; volunteers may (if they wish) participate in the preparation of meals for the visitors.

Possible free time activities during the project: 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.

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.

Highlights: The project dates are as follows:

October 31, 2009
November 4 - November 21, 2009
November 25 - December 12, 2009
February 3 - February 20, 2010
February 24 - March 13, 2010
March 17 - April 3, 2010
April 7 - April 24, 2010
April 28 - May 15, 2010
May 19 - June 5, 2010
June 9 - June 26, 2010
June 30 - July 17, 2010
July 21 - August 7, 2010
August 11 - August 28, 2010
September 1 - September 18, 2010

Qualifications: Volunteers should be interested in contributing to the development of the project; to work at different tasks according to the needs; be ready to do agricultural work and work with farm animals.

Cost in US$: USD 290

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.