Podere La Miniera

The house has two large bedrooms in a Tuscan style, with terracotta floors and exposed wooden beams. There is also a large living room with a huge fireplace that is very useful in winter, then there is a bathroom with a small bathtub, a hallway and a lovely kitchen with a wood-burning oven. From every window of the house you can see the sea very well, with breathtaking sunsets. The person who comes to collaborate with my farm project by offering their help will obviously be able to have their own private room. The bathroom is shared with me, because there is only one bathroom at the moment, but in the future I would like to create a second bathroom, perhaps a dry one. In addition to the rooms in the house there is a huge terrace to see the sea, and also a small annex currently used as a laundry and craft room. I can offer food and I can also cook; a help in the kitchen is not necessary. I am a vegetarian and I would like to underline this. I honestly eat eggs and dairy products, and I also cook excellent pizza. I don’t require many hours of help a day (about 5 hours per day), and you can adapt according to the needs of the things to do at the moment, without stress. Feeling good, cheerful and in company is very important, in addition to being industrious.

If you come by train to Gavorrano or Follonica, the station is very close: there is a public coach-like bus that will take you directly from Follonica (or Gavorrano) station, conveniently to the centre of Gavorrano. I can pick you up at the Gavorrano Centro bus stop, which is close to my house. There is the train station of Gavorrano slightly closer to the farm, or there is the station of Follonica, which may be better connected, depending on where you come from. The land is over one hectare, planted with olive trees (about 120 olive trees), and is located 15 minutes from the most beautiful beaches in Tuscany (Cala Violina, Cala Martina, Cala Felice, Punta Ala etc), furthermore there is also a splendid lake very close by (Lago dell’Accesa), and there are also natural thermal pools (Petriolo, Saturnia) and other splendid places of the surrounding area called Maremma Toscana (Massa Marittima, Castiglion della Pescaia, Grosseto, Follonica, etc). I’m waiting for you at my farm overlooking the sea! The philosophy that inspires this place is that of loving-kindness, what in Buddhist tradition is called metta. The Buddha taught: “Like a mother protects her child, her only child, so may there develop a boundless heart toward all beings.” And: “Hatred never ceases through hatred; hatred ceases through love. This is an eternal law.” These principles guide our way of life, work, and welcoming people. For this reason we are sincerely surprised to read a comment that mentions almost nothing of what characterizes daily life on our farm in Gavorrano. Those who have been here know that activities are not limited to simple agricultural volunteering. Over the years we have shared cooking lessons, making bread and pizza with ingredients from Ethiopia; we have organized moments dedicated to foreign languages, to music, to beginner guitar, to astronomy, to literature, to the history of religions, and to many other cultural passions. Many volunteers have also visited with us Rocce Park, Theatre of Rocce, the historic mining area and the nature trails of the territory. Those staying here live immersed in nature. They share spaces with turtles, cats, foxes, wild birds and, at times, even wild boars that cross the surrounding woods. On the clearest days you can even glimpse Corsica on the horizon. In recent years we have hosted many people from many different countries. The vast majority left positive and sincere testimonials about the experience lived here, not only for the work done, but above all for the human, cultural and convivial climate that characterizes this place. Naturally volunteering is not a vacation. It is based on reciprocal exchange: on one side food, lodging, sharing, teachings, cultural activities and support; on the other, collaboration, responsibility and participation in the agreed tasks. For this reason we always look for people truly interested in the spirit of cultural exchange and volunteering, people who wish to participate in the life of the estate and contribute constructively to the temporary community that forms during the stay. As the Gospel teaches: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” And again: “Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them.” These values, though coming from different traditions, express the same ideal of mutual respect, responsibility and benevolence. For this reason we do not wish to respond to criticisms with more criticisms. We simply prefer to tell what we are and what we do every day. Anyone who comes here can expect a calm, respectful and collaborative environment. We strive to treat every guest with care, generosity and consideration, offering not only a place to stay but also opportunities for learning, dialogue and mutual growth. We are proud of the path we have built over the years and we will continue to cultivate this place according to the principles of loving-kindness, moral discipline, respect and gratitude. We conclude with one of the most beautiful exhortations attributed to the Buddha: “Cultivate a boundless heart toward all beings. Above, below and all around, without obstacles, without hostility and without enmity.”