Nature & Culture in the North of Iceland

WORK/PROJECT: In this project SEEDS volunteers will have the opportunity to get to know the traditional Icelandic country life in a farm that is taking its first steps into being able to welcome guests and travellers. Our hosts are a family that are trying to develop new work opportunities in the area; they intend to run diverse facilities and start offering services for visitors.

The project takes place in an agricultural area in the North of Iceland, rich in culture, history and famed for its beautiful landscape, so tourism has been one of the most visible alternative industries getting special emphasis after the socio-economical crash that Iceland suffered in 2008.

The volunteers will have the chance to get to know the local family and work with them. Our jobs will be mainly outdoors and depend on the weather, so it is hard to pin them down.

Big part of the project will go into general gardening works, as planning, designing and making a flower bed, tree bushes and other related tasks. We will also have the change to prepare and start a vegetable garden. Additionally, we will build fences and tidy up the surroundings of the farm after the winter season. Other tasks might be making or maintaining hiking paths among others.

Volunteers with artistic talents are encouraged to use their joy of creation when designing and making the garden. Those interested in animal husbandry can be in touch with some of the animals in the farm, around 100 horses and 760 sheep that run freely in the nature during summer.

ACCOMMODATION: We will stay in a well equipped apartment with access to kitchen and bathroom, in shared rooms in a sleeping bag accommodation. Please bring your own sleeping bag. Please note that the apartment is attached to the main farm house, so volunteers are expected to show consideration to the family who lives there. Volunteers will take part in cooking and cleaning activities and sometimes they will have meals with the family.

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

LOCATION: Much of the northwest gives the feeling that you have reached the end of the world. Little villages try to survive in a modern world with a decreasing population in the countryside.

Although the area around Húnaflói is sparsely populated and scattered with only few tiny villages it is rich in wildlife. The region receives many visitors because of its fishing opportunities, but there are also good opportunities for bird watching, canoeing, golfing, hiking, kayaking, and river rafting. The region is a paradise for people who like beautiful nature and outdoor activities.  

The farm is about 13 Km south of Blönduós, a town with around 810 inhabitants, standing where the river Blanda, runs into the ocean. It is a quiet town with a couple of museums, shops and a church.

From the farm is a short distance to the sea, mountains and fields; the best way to appreciate the area is to be off the main road, discover spectacular scenery and experience the surroundings.

LANGUAGE: English will be the official language in the camp; high proficiency is not a requirement.

TERMINAL: Closest International Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF).

SEEDS organises the “minibus option”, a shared transport from Reykjavík to the camps and vice-versa, 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 200, (Euros). Please note that these fees are to be paid to SEEDS on arrival in either Euros or Icelandic krónas.

Volunteers should have a motivation for getting to know ways of living in rural areas in Iceland, for working outdoors and be prepared to all kinds of weather (be sure of bringing warm clothing).

SEEDS and/or our hosting partner will organise free time activities in the area. There are countless opportunities to discover the area by foot or to hike in the surroundings.

Age: 18 +