Chestnut Brae Farm is 70 idyllic acres of mature organic sweet chestnut forests that were planted biodynamically in 1985, mushroom crops, heirloom vegetables and heritage animals that are all farmed sustainably using regenerative agriculture and holistic management. Located just 40 minutes from the Busselton Margaret River Airport on the Blackwood River Valley Farm Trail, Chestnut Brae is 15 minutes south of Nannup (off Vasse Highway and Chalwell Road) and 55 minutes inland from Margaret River. Chestnut Brae’s rolling hills, pastures, permanent flowing springs and mature chestnut forests give a feeling of being in Europe as you arrive at the farm.

About the program

Chestnut Brae is a mixed permaculture, holistic management and organic farm. They focus on sweet chestnut production and chestnut added value products as well as chestnut fed meat production for restaurants.  The farn also has vegetables, fruit, chickens, ducks, geese, quail, guinea fowl, marron, pigs, sheep, alpacas, cattle and a maremma.

You will leave your volunteer residency with a working knowledge of the way how to run a farm.

The work is seasonal, but generally involves the following areas… in Autumn it is harvest season and you will be busy picking chestnuts and producing chestnut products, in winter the season is about taking farm products to markets and continue making added value products, in summer the focus is on irrigation and watering, in spring the focus tends to be on animal activities.

What type of work will You be doing?

• Work is seasonal, but can include pruning suckers and trees
• Vegetable garden – planting seeds and seedlings, weeding, watering, harvesting
• Feeding and watering animals and moving them from area to area
• General farm duties

What hours will I work?

The average working day is 6 hours a day for 6 days a week

What should You bring to the farm?

• In winter (June – August) you will need warm working clothes, rain / wet weather gear, working boots.
• In summer (December – February) you will need hat, sunscreen, working boots, long sleeve shirts and insect repellent.
• In between seasons you can check weather conditions on http://www.weatherzone.com.au/wa/southwest/nannup and bring appropriate work clothing to suit the weather, which could be a mix of both of the above.
• A sense of fun
• Your own WIFI internet device as there is no WIFI available

Telstra provides the best telephone connection in the country and you will get good mobile phone coverage if you are with Telstra. Other providers do not have good coverage in the country and you will not get phone coverage on the farm unless you are with Telstra.

Volunteers Accommodation

You may be living with other work exchangers in  a shared room or in one of the caravans which has double beds. There is a separate bathroom and toilet. Helpers eat withthe host as part of the family and all meals are provided. A separate kitchen area is available with a fridge if you want to make a drink or a snack for yourself.

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Map

Accomodation offer

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