Hello beautiful people,
We are a family of four creating a more connected, nature-based and self-sufficient life on a beautiful piece of land in Almere, the Netherlands. Here, you’ll experience the best of both worlds: peaceful countryside living surrounded by nature, while still being close to inspiring cities like Amsterdam, Utrecht and the sea.
We are Mara, Arthur, and our children Ivy and Arbor. Together, we are slowly shaping our little homestead into a place where people, animals and nature can thrive together. We believe in learning by doing, living with the seasons, and taking small meaningful steps toward a more regenerative and grounded way of life.
We grow vegetables, purify our own water, and are continuously creating systems that help us live more off-grid and in harmony with the land. There is always something growing, blooming, building, or evolving here.
Arthur runs a unique ecological grazing business where pigs help restore ecosystems by naturally managing invasive species such as Japanese knotweed. It’s muddy, fascinating, and deeply connected to working with nature rather than against it.
Life on the land
Life here follows the rhythm of the seasons and no two days are exactly the same. Depending on the moment, you might help with:
🌱 Caring for the garden and vegetable beds
🐷 Helping with pig care and checking fences in nature areas
🔨 Small building or maintenance projects around the land
🌾 Creating and improving systems that support a more off-grid lifestyle
🔥 Seasonal projects, harvesting, preserving food, or simply being outdoors
We enjoy hosting people who are curious, open-minded, practical, and who appreciate simple living, nature, meaningful conversations, and occasionally muddy boots.
Staying with us
We have space for two WWOOFers, who can stay in our comfortable camper surrounded by greenery and quiet.
We provide ingredients for breakfast and lunch, and in the evenings we often enjoy a shared dinner together — though we also value freedom, rest and personal space, so nothing is expected or mandatory.
Our home is family-oriented, relaxed, and still very much a work in progress. We are not a polished eco-retreat — we are simply building something meaningful, step by step, with our hands in the soil and our hearts in the process.
If you feel inspired by gardening, regenerative living, sustainability, animals, off-grid dreams, or simply want to experience a slower way of life in the Netherlands, we would love to meet you and share this journey together 🌻
Besides life on the land, there is plenty to explore in the area. We enjoy spending time outdoors, making things with our hands, cooking, growing food, being around animals, campfires, good conversations, and creative projects. We love simple pleasures and a lifestyle that feels connected to nature and community.
Our location is quite special: although we live in a peaceful rural setting, we are still close to vibrant cities and beautiful nature.
In your free time, you can enjoy:
🚲 Cycling through the Dutch countryside and nearby nature reserves
🌿 Exploring forests, lakes, beaches and beautiful walking routes
🏙 Visiting cities like Amsterdam, Utrecht, or nearby Almere for cafés, culture and events
🛶 Swimming, paddleboarding or relaxing near the water (there are many lakes nearby)
🛍 Exploring local markets, eco initiatives and unique Dutch places
🔥 Relaxing on the land, enjoying sunsets, campfires or simply slowing down
We want your stay to feel like an exchange — a balance between meaningful work, learning, rest, and enjoying the experience of Dutch countryside life.
Read more
Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Poultry farming
Pig farming
Raising of other farm animals
Meat processing
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Beer, cider, wine, or juice making
Natural cosmetics fabrication
Mechanics / tools / technology
Methods or systems
Rotational grazing
