Hi, my name is Andréa. I’m 22yo and from France (Paris). I’ve taken part in the 2023-2024 ESC volunteering project in Denmark.
Lorenza 
ECS Project : working in a farm
Going to Denmark to attend an organic farming school and work on a farm with my best friend Lorenza Quentin, whom I met at university, is…
Spend special, timeless moments with animals as part of the “animal team”. Observe how respectful organic animal production is, and how it ensures a good quality of life for the animals.
It means taking care of them every day, so that it’s easy to understand their needs, but also to observe their funny behaviors and different personalities. It also means, realizing their high level of intelligence and learning.
It means being present at the first calvings of the year, and being able to help get the young out of their mothers’ wombs. But also have the chance to name your own calve ❤
as well as the births of other farm animals…
Working on a farm in Denmark means helping the “veggie team” workers in the fields and greenhouses to plant, water and harvest the many seasonal fruits and vegetables.
Volunteering abroad for a year on a farm also means discovering Danish culture, making friends and sharing life with new people aged 18 to 66.
Living in Denmark in an organic farming school means discovering the abundance that nature has to offer. Which comes in many forms not found in supermarkets.
Working in Scandinavia means having to deal with all kinds of weather: -11°C in winter, having to get around in 20cm of snow, dealing with wind and precipitation, as well as seeing the sun rise at 8.30am and set at 3.30pm in winter…
Working on a farm also means realizing just how time-consuming and physically exhausting the job of farmer is, and just how much these workers, most of whom live in precarious, lonely conditions and face economic hardship, deserve more recognition and support from the state (both in Denmark and France).
Taking care of a farm also means not being afraid of getting your hands dirty, working in mud, dust and excrement, falling over, but also getting up at dawn to milk the cows.
Doing 35 hours of voluntary work a week means you’re entitled to unusual activities such as: weeding a field by HAND? Driving big machines and feeling like transformers, discovering beekeeping, trying your hand at welding…
Living 1 year in Denmark also means discovering new landscapes and beautiful sunrises.
Doing a gap year abroad through the European Solidarity Corps gives young people like me the chance to create unforgettable memories, acquire skills, adaptability and autonomy, improve their English (in Denmark) and gain self-confidence… It’s an experience that leaves a lasting impression, and one that has changed my future choices.
My solidarity Project : Instagram account
With Lorenza we decided to open an instagram account named : @farmlifeindk :
https://www.instagram.com/farmlifeindk?igsh=MTV2OWQ0aHl4b3B4OA==On this account, we publish our daily life, work and tasks on the farm. You can find videos, photos and interviews with people we’ve worked with. The aim is to share our experience in the farmschool thanks to ECS and encourage other people to volunteer.
ESC Solidarity Projects 