Description

The association "La ferme de Noe" 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

"I participated in a program through CADIP in Trets, France. Honestly, I had an amazing time with the other volunteers on the farm. The work was hard but satisfying. Usually I would trim the grass, plant seeds, weed, harvest vegetables, transport compost and other garden duties. Lunch was always great. If it was sunny, we'd eat outside next to the garden. We did get to go on some great day trips by train and bus to Marseilles and Arles. The market in Trets was really interesting, too. We visited a 1000 year old monastery built into the side of a mountain about 45 mins away, went to the tops of some nearby mountains to get some amazing views. We also got to help out with a huge party that was a fundraiser for the farm and join in and meet some of the locals and supporters of the organization.

All in all, I really had an amazing time. I grew up on a farm and really loved getting back to it. Oh, forgot about the chickens. They added a lot to the experience, even if the roosters would never shut up :). I recommend this program to anyone who isn't afraid of getting a little dirty and working hard for 6 hours a day."

- Jesse Hilburt

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.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD 290

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• Registration fees
• Written materials pre-departure

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

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.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living

Participants Travel

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.