Sunseed - Frequently asked questions

It all depends on the energy of the group of people currently at Sunseed and their interests. It’s a friendly and tolerant community – there are always people to talk to and frequent fiestas, but plenty of space for solitude, too. There are often evening activities. Some nights we have a ´Green Speak´ event covering an environmental hot topic. Last week it was a debate about population control. Sessions in the past have included biofuel, genetically modified agriculture and sustainable travel. Other evening activities have included the weekly jamming night at the Agave Museum down the road, circus workshops and of course the solar powered cinema. We live in a beautiful place for walking, bird watching, sunbathing, etc. There´s also the Rio de Aguas river and pools to swim in (together with the terrapins); and excellent caving and climbing nearby. We have a big selection of technical and non-technical books and games such as playing cards, chess, etc. There are lots of good bars in our nearest town, Sorbas (7km away) for beers and tapas, as well as the excellent visitors’ centre. There is no bus into town, but it’s a lovely walk (about 1 ½ hours) or cycle (25 minutes). There are sometimes people driving to and from town who will be happy to give you a lift for a petrol contribution.

How is the work decided?

Everyday after lunch, jobs are allocated for the following working day. Full time working visitors work mainly in their chosen department and on their own projects, while part time working visitors can focus on one department or chop and change – we try and find a balance between what needs doing, and what visitors want to do. For those involved in mucky work we have a free store of old clothes.

What kind of jobs are people given?

We have a rota for cooking and cleaning duties; normally everybody is asked to choose two rota duties a week. In addition to this, examples of typical jobs across the departments are:

* Preserving products from the Sunseed gardens, and wild products, in a variety of ways, including in the solar dryer and on the parabolic dish solar cooker

* Experimenting with solar cookers – solar cooking a cake, for example, when it’s your turn to cook

* Creativity and beautifications such as making mobiles or lampshades

* Irrigation line clearing

* Maintenance of water supply

* Sowing and transplanting seedlings

* Turning compost heaps

* Assistance on specific projects e.g. roof repairs

* Work in tree nursery and tree maintenance

* Work on dryland terrace renovation, for example helping with dry stone walling

* Lab work as part of the mycorrhizal research project

* Maintenance of our 4 houses which could include repairing cracks to walls, decorating rooms, experimenting with ecological products – roofs, straw bale houses

* Soil care and maintenance including the use of compost, animal and green manure, hoeing and weeding

* Writing an article, or translating material into other languages

*Researching and, if you'd like to, presenting a 'Green speak' session. In the past these have included discussions about biofuels, genetically modified food, population control, sustainable travel, sustainable childcare and micro hydro. Is there an environmental issue that you think everyone should know more about?

Do I have to arrive on a particular day of the week?

No, you are welcome to arrive on any day of the week, although if you can avoid arriving at the weekend that would be appreciated. This is because people often go away at the weekends and there is only one staff member on duty so we cannot always guarantee that someone would be there to welcome you.

We’ll send you full details of what you need to bring; communications at Sunseed and with our local town, etc, when we receive your booking form (click here to download). An important thing to realise is that the living and accommodation here are simple. It's a bit like indoor camping with more comfortable beds.

Any other questions? Please contact us if your question is not answered here.

Why is Sunseed different to a WOOFing farm?

Firstly, Sunseed does not farm for generation of income it is an educational charity. The rates for staying at Sunseed cover accommodation and food. In Sunseed volunteers can chose the area they would like to work at in the mornings. The FTVs chose a project that interests them from the project pack, or devise their own with consultation from the staff. The staff will then support and mentor the FTVs. Every department has a budget that is available for its projects. This can be spent on books, equipment, materials etc. FTVs are encouraged to be ambitious and innovative, experiment and take risks. Experimentation and innovation is the essence of Sunseed. Pushing projects forward is one of Sunseed’s main objectives. As long as the methods are being thoroughly documented and assessed, we believe that learning comes from both failure and success. Lastly, Sunseed offers workshops and small courses run by the staff for both FTVs and PTVs.

What are the eating arrangements?

We have a vegetarian diet, with limited dairy products - cheese or eggs usually only a couple of times a week. Please also note that we sometimes aren't able to buy eggs and we don’t provide milk for drinks etc. We ask that fish and meat are not brought on to the project. Some of our food is organic (the food from our gardens and some of the bought food), but not all.

All staff and volunteers eat together. There is a rota for cooking – preparing a meal for 15 or 25 people is a new experience for many visitors, but most people enjoy it. Help is always on hand when needed.

What's the accommodation like and how is it organised?

The life at Sunseed is fun in part because it is simple. The accommodation is basic, if you imagine indoor camping with slightly more comfortable beds that will give you some idea of how we live. In the winter it can be cold and not all the rooms are heated. The nature of the local habitat (semi-arid) means that there is a lot of dust around and it can be difficult to stay clean. If you prefer to stay very clean and in northern European style comfort you might prefer to chose a different project.

Staff have their own rooms. Depending on the number of visitors we have, other rooms are shared – most between 2 or 3, and a couple with up to 5 (all same sex). If you want a room on your own, or a double for a couple, we’ll try and arrange it if you ask well in advance, but it can’t be guaranteed. Accommodation, and all communal living spaces, are basic, and we work hard to keep them clean in our dusty village.

What are the sanitary arrangements?

We have a toilet and shower block by the main house, with urinals, and 2 compost toilets in the gardens. We use river water for washing (brought to the houses by our water powered ram pump), some of which is solar heated, you should be aware that in winter hot shower water is often limited and in bad weather the water can sometimes be quite chilly!

Are there many opportunities to speak Spanish?

Due to the international nature of Sunseed the operating language of the project is English. But one of the coordinators is Spanish and those wishing to practice Spanish will find friendly neighbours in the village to chat to. Also you are welcome to help with the Tuesday and Thursday shopping trips - very few of those living in the centre of Sorbas speak English.

How do I get to the project?

You will be sent some travel information when we've received your booking form. Sorbas is one hour by bus from Almeria where there is are train and bus stations and an airport. We encourage overland travel - those flying pay a 10% surcharge.

Yes, Sunseed operates as a non-profit organisation and we rely on the contributions and donations of volunteers and friends to fund the project. We run a very low cost project and staff (except the project manager) are expected to subsist on a weekly allowance of 40 Euros.

What if I want to work in one particular department?

We will be very happy to put you in touch with the appropriate coordinator if you would like to discuss details before you come.

If I wanted to become an FTV after 1 or 2 weeks of being a PTV, how would I do that?

If this involves extending the length of your stay, as long as there is space available this shouldn’t be a problem. If you are interested in doing this you would need to talk over the practicalities with the Project Manager and/or Administrator and the Departmental Co-ordinator of the department in which you wish to work.

Is it more group- and teamwork, or is it more individual?

It depends on the number of visitors, time of year and the work being done. Visitors often work in small groups, and usually work alongside the co-ordinator of the department they’re working in. Department co-ordinators always supervise work.