Fljótsdalshérað

WORK/PROJECT:

SEEDS volunteers will take part in a project at a family-run farm located in the East of Iceland. Work will mainly be around the potato cultivation at the farm. That means picking potatoes by hand or by using machines; and washing potatoes.

Other projects at the farm could be helping out with the sheep and attending to the surrounding nature; trees and plants.

The work is physically demanding and volunteers shall be motivated to be part of the regular work and different activities in a family-run Icelandic farm.

ACCOMMODATION:

SEEDS volunteers will be staying at the farm, sleeping on mattresses in shared rooms. Volunteers will receive food and be in charge of the cooking and cleaning activities.

Volunteers will have to bring their own sleeping bag.

Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for the international evening.

LOCATION:

The work camp is located in the municipality of Fljótsdalshérað at the east of Iceland. The land area of the municipality stretches from Biskupsháls in the west and Héraðsflói bay in the north to the mountain ranges surrounding the central eastern fjords in the east and to Vatnajökull and Öxi in the south. The massive land ares is among the greates in Iceland. However the municipality only has about 3,500 residents with most of them living in the villages Egilsstaðir and Fellabær, together forming the largest urban centre in East Iceland. 

The wild reindeers of Iceland are found in Fljótsdalshérað, they are about ten thousand and also the biggest forest in Iceland, Hallormstaðarskógur is located within the district.

The lagoon Lagarfljót is situated in the area, it is the home of the mythical creature the Lagarfljót Serpent (Lagarfljótsormur), the Loch Ness monster of Iceland, which was believed to be spotted early 2012 by a local farmer. If you get lucky you might get a glimpse of it and maybe even to be able to get a picture of the much sought after serpent.

The East is one of the oldest region in the country and it has been shaped by glaciers from the Ice age, it is a region of a unique nature and special landscape. Volunteers can experience the vast wilderness, the contrasting beauty of nature and the sense of solitude in the vicinity of Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier. The nature is fascinating from the glaciers to the sea; broad barren sands, valleys with woodland and colourful vegetation all in one glimpse.

LANGUAGE:

English will be the language in the camp; basic conversational skills are needed.

TERMINAL:

Closest international Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF).

The closest bus stop and local airport is located in Egilsstaðir (EGS).

The harbour for ferries from Faroe Islands & Denmark is in Seyðisfjörður, 27 km from Egilsstaðir.

SEEDS organises the “minibus option”, a shared transport from Reykjavík to the camps and back again, which apart from being cheaper and more convenient, allows volunteers to meet fellow campers and have a relaxed trip, while stopping on the way for interesting and tourist sites.

EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS:

Participation fee EUR 180 (Euros).

Volunteers will be given free time to explore the area as well as taking short excursions with the host to the surrounding sights.

The work is physically demanding and volunteers shall be motivated to be part of the regular work and different activities in a family-run Icelandic farm.

Age: 18+