Volunteers Welcome Guide
Introduction
Welcome to Dio Pigadia farm. Dio Pigadia is an permaculture eco-project established as a non-profit organization with the objective of implementing and exploring an alternative and sustainable ecological model. Permaculture is more than an agricultural technique; it is a philosophy rooted in local production/consumption, aiming to envision a new sustainable paradigm.
We are a self organised project, we live in a community, for this reason we as everyone joining the project to respect others, help to create an environment of trust and cooperation, where everyone feels safe and valued.
Bring along your open-mindedness, good vibe, and motivation! Help us to prove this alternative possible. We are looking forward to meeting you at our permaculture farm!
What to bring
- Natural biodegradable soap, as the water is use for our garden and the food that we eat. You can buy it also in the farm shop.
- A personal water bottle.
- Trainers or hiking shoes for working in the farm.
- We offer sheets and towels, but if you want white pristine sheets you are welcome to bring yours, ours are clean but might have stains.
- A headlight is recommended.
Seasonal specifics:
- Summer: hat to cover from the sun, sun cream and mosquito product.
- Winter: woolen hats and socks and rain boots (available in town for 10 euros).
Work routine
4 to 5 working hours, usually in the mornings, but schedule could change depending on the weather and projects. Weekends free.
Every day there is a meeting to split tasks, and you will be able to choose which feels better for you.
Moreover, you will be in charge of one or two routines per day. As feeding animals, taking care of the greenhouse, watering plants, etc. Your routine will eventually be passed on to you from leaving volunteers. Make sure when you leave (even for the weekend) to pass it on to another volunteer.
Cooking and dishes work on a rotation base. The cooking teams of 2 are set the day before by a lottery system.
We also have a suggestion box and a weekly feedback session where we discuss the way things are going.
The older volunteers show the new ones how things are done and how they can help. Spot them and don’t hesitate to ask questions. Don’t be shy to ask more general questions about how and why we do this and that. This is a place of knowledge exchange!
Accommodation
Tents and caravans, depending on availability, are the main accommodation, with all the main assets provided (mattresses and blankets). Also if you prefer, there is a place for your own caravan or tent.
If you would like a more comfortable accommodation, we also have a special program for active guest staying in our Nectar Cottages, contact us at nectar@dio-pigadia.com for more information.
This is a self-organised system so when you leave make sure that the space is clean and ready for the next one (vacuum cleaner, put the sheets in the washing machine, put the trash in the bin, prep the bed…)
Promoting the permaculture movement
We are using Instagram to promote permaculture and share our way of living and ideas. For that we are constantly creating content as pictures or videos of our daily activities in the farm, including volunteers work. We encourage you to help us creating some content if you are into social media, that really help us to promote and spread the word. Here the link to our Instagram page, don´t hesitate to tag us.
In case that you don´t want to take active part or being filmed let us know in advance.
Internet & Internal Communication
- .We have an internet connection at the Farm and Nectar. Just connect to “OliveNet” wifi and insert the password: chickendonkeyhorse
- Signal is our internal communication tool, download it here and feel free to ask to join the group invitation. All the relevant information, such as teams for cooking and cleaning and outside activities are planned and communicated through this channel.
Food & Drinks
We are eating mostly vegetarian although in special occasions we eat meat from the farm or local production. Homemade eggs and local cheese can be on the menu. We can’t guarantee vegan meals since we are a farm that produces some animal products and it is difficult to organise two separate meals every time. Most of what we eat comes straight from the garden dressed with our delicious homemade olive oil.
- We have a rotation system where 2 people (sometimes 1 if we are not many) are cooking lunch, 2 others dinner. As well there is a rotation system for dishes. It will be communicated by the signal group.
- Harvest and cook veggies that need to be in priority. Go look for them a bit further where others have forgotten them. Look at what has already been harvested. Check out for leftovers from the previous meal.
- Don´t worry if you are no expert chef, we are always glad for food and you will be cooking with somebody else so no pressure! If you really don´t know what to cook you can check out our recipe section.
- Weekends are free and we have no organisation for meals, but feel free to organise some food with the people staying at the farm and feel free to use the available goods.
Friday night is baking day, it’s a gathering time, and we all prepare delicious homemade pizza together and bake the bread for next week.
In terms of alcohol, often we have beers in the fridge and wine, every beer or glass of wine is 1 euro, serve yourself and write your name in the list with the number of drinks you consume. At the end of the week we will collect the money. We trust you on this, please remember, it´s for the project!
The kitchen
- Maintain the kitchen clean. Don´t hesitate if you see some dishes to clean in the sink/table or drying dishes that need to be stored.
- When cleaning the dishes, watch water and soap consumption. Many techniques there, not using any soap (might seem hardcore but many pans or knives actually benefit from a little grease, plates sometimes deserve just a good rinsing…), rinsing with your hand first, and one drop of soap mixed with water to clear the extra grease.
- Never put anything that can’t take heat on top of the oven.
- Everyone cleans their own plate.
- The team preparing food should make sure that the kitchen and table are clean after cooking.
- The person on dishes duty prepares the dishes washing buckets, cleans the shared food pots/pans and stores the leftovers.
The shower
- Check the red valve for hot water in the fridge room(we will show you when you arrive!).
- Save water in the summer. For real.
- Don’t use too much soap. Organic/green soap is highly recommended. Bring your own or we can provide you with natural olive oil soap.
- Pick up your hair!
- Clean it after use.
The dry toilet
A dry toilet is a toilet which, unlike a flush toilet, does not use flush water. Dry toilets do not use water to move excreta along or block odours. They do not produce sewage and are not connected to a sewer system or septic tank.
As soon as you arrive you will be trained in how to use it properly, but remember:
- Paper and non-organic stuff goes in the bin.
- When it’s full empty in the big poo box, clean well with brush and water, toss the water in the poo box, put some wood shavings, ready for the next one!
We have a pee separation system, pee is collected separately for fertilising by the “fertility person” on duty who will use it for trees that love it!
Energy consumption
Watch your consumption. We are an eco-project. We don’t live in city comfort and should set an example.
Use heaters WITH MODERATION.
Solar panels take over in a sunny afternoon so free electricity at this moment – use it. Take advantage of this for heavy loads (oven, washing machine).
Safety
Tools and protective equipment are provided and have to be used properly: if ever you feel uncomfortable or you don’t know how to use a tool, a workshop or demonstration will be provided.
Always make sure to bring back tools in their proper place, and take good care of them.
Community life
Animals on the farm
The cats are extremely cute but invasive. They will try to eat any kind of unprotected food and will annoy you when you cook. Watch out!
The donkey Vouno had a bad story before. He is now less afraid and friendly but try to be gentle, no hasty moves, no shouting, also he doesn’t like people passing behind him…
Things to do around
There are different things to do around here on weekends (chill/eat in town, beach days, hiking or relax at the farm). The car won’t be lent for going around for safety reasons. We go to town from time to time so you can get a lift. Hitchhiking is easy, people around here are usually nice. You can also grab a taxi from Mesochori fuel station to Pylos for 10 euros. Sometimes volunteers who come in car/vans can also be an opportunity to move around if they are willing to.
We have 4 mountain bikes! You are free to use them with care. We ask for a 10e for use as much as you want. This will cover the occasional maintenance. Don’t forget please, you can use the donation box! In the summer make sure to leave them in Nectar since the guests will have priority on them. Thanks!
Check the must do/tips section if you want to know more!
Having a Website or Social Media Channel?
If you value our work it would help us to grow if you write content about us and link back to our Website or Instagram Channel (@diopigadia). Every mention will help the project!
Are you ok to appear on social media? Please remind us if not it’s totally cool.
Please also help produce and share media content on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
Please remember to leave feedback on WWOOF and Google for Dio Pigadia here and for Nectar here.
Also support us by likes, comments, and shares! Help us out with 1 click!
It’s all about the algorithm, we need the visibility to support the permaculture movement! Let’s make it trendy!
Thanks guys! You are now a member of the Dio Pigadia family!
