Smallholding, Family farm
Kalmar
Our farm is located 15 km from the Baltic coast, 30 km southwest of Kalmar. Coming from Hamburg we took over the farm in November 2006, when the biodynamical farming had been practiced here for 32l years. We added our family of 8, our animals (some sheep, a couple of chickens and ducks, 2 dogs and 2 cats) and our dream of permaculture and the development of an eco village.. We are growing a number of different vegetables, berries and fruits and trying to becoming as self sustainable as possible. .
In summer we are hosting a permaculture design course (PDC). We - that are Bo and Katrin with our son Anton with his partner Florence.
As the teacher and certified permaculture designer she is, Katrin teaches handcraft skills (felting/ willow projects/making creams and soaps/medical herb skills/textil upcykling and more) and organical vegetable growing, harvesting, storing, preserving and processing. She is familiar in leading womencircles and other talkingcircles.
Bo is a carpenter, builder and constructor and specialized in ecological and sustainable building and insulation. He is even responsible for building and constructing at the farm (houses/tiny houses/urin separating toilet systems...) and is happy to share his knowledge. Anton(30) is a certified permaculture designer and a builder and constructor of traditional timberhouses, working together with Bo with building an construction outside of the farm.
Florence works side on side with Katrin with the growings and animals.
We are normally accepting up to 8 volunteers at the time, but are making sometimes even space for more to come. A minimum stay of 2 weeks is required. Working time for volunteers is 6 hours a day, five days a week, divided in 4 hours morning shift and 2 hours in the afternoon. Depending on wheather conditions, material stock and man power the work can be everything from working on the fields, taking care of the animals and there housing, chopping firewood, helping with housework, building and renovating up to creating new growing-areas or helping with preservation of food. That requires a handy person that is used to work physically and does'nt mind to get hands and clothes dirty.
There are 6 beds (2 rooms and a loft with 2 beds each) in the volunteers house, 2 beds in the tiny house and even a big military tent can be set up if we are many. Beddings are provided. It is also possible to set up an own tent. Some bicycles for volunteers are available but unfortunately often in a bad condition.
We are cooking and eating 3 organic meals together in the main house or outside. Please respect that snacks, nuts, bought fruits and foodsupplements are not catered.
Our toilets are non-flushing separation compost toilets, solar showers outside are available. In very dry periods we are short in water and showers are very limited. In that times we are regularly going to a lake or river for washing ourselves.
IMPORTANT: Please bring your own working gloves and bring organic shampoo and soaps only!
Welcome to share our lifestyle!
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Poultry farming
Sheep or goat farming
Wild foraging
Aromatic or medicinal plants, teas
Seed saving or production
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Natural cosmetics fabrication
Traditional crafts
Methods or systems
Biological pest control
Biodynamic agriculture
Holistic management
Permaculture
Host type
Self-sufficiency property
20
Hectares
|
49.4
Acres
Accommodation
Katrin
Member since 2009
Languages spoken:
English, German, Swedish
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 58%
Response time: typically within 8 days
Kalmar
The farm is located 13 kilometres from Nybro station and 30 kilometres from Kalmar station. Coming by train, we will pick you up in Nybro, coming by bus we will meet up in Kalmar.
Reviews
Eloise
United Kingdom
•
December 2025
As my first Woofing experience Katrin and Bo were so extremely accommodating and lovely, I can see myself going back again and again! Their permaculture farm respects nature and it’s natural systems plus the sheep love you and will give you a cuddle. It was so interesting to sheer a sheep, see the composting systems in place and share knowledge of cooking with all the people I met - whom I’m still in touch with! Ekbacka attracts the loveliest of people 🌿✨ bit of a belated review but wanted to say Thank you Katrin!!!
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Elisa
Germany
•
June 2025
My first WWOOFing experience was truly special—I spent two wonderful months at Echbacka Gård.
Watching the farm slowly awaken from its winter sleep felt magical and nourishing.
I learned so much and was encouraged to try all sorts of new things: sowing seeds, planting, weeding, preparing garden beds, putting up fences, building a structure for the beans, baking bread, and even making soap. I also helped with taking care for the animals—one memorable moment was bringing the sheep out to the pasture where they’ll spend the summer. Katrin even invited me to join her weaving class, which was a real highlight!
What touched me most was the warm and welcoming atmosphere. I truly felt like being a part of the big Echbacka Gård family. We shared long nights filled with laughter and good company. Growing closer by overcoming challenges. I felt deeply human and truly seen.
Adapting to the rhythm of the farm was essential—each day brought something new. That’s why everyday life here is sometimes unpredictable. But Katrin always ensured the work was varied, interesting und fair.
This experience was much more than farm work—it was a journey of personal growth and inner healing for me. I can wholeheartedly recommend it!
Don’t forget to stop and smell the flowers—and give the sheeps a cuddle while you’re at it!
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Raphaël
France
•
June 2025
I spent an incredible 8 weeks at Ekbacka Gård… and honestly, I didn’t expect it to be so hard to leave. 🐑
A huge thanks to Katrin and Bo for their warm welcome, generosity, and kindness. Ekbacka Gård is a perfect place to discover permaculture in a beautiful setting.
I especially enjoyed all the tasks in the fields: preparing planting beds, planting, fences…
The food is exceptional, and I’m leaving with plenty of recipe ideas! 😁
The atmosphere is warm, simple, and filled with many shared moments. I met wonderful people, enjoyed a peaceful and inspiring environment, and it’s also a place where you can learn so much about farm life.
Thank you so much again for these unforgettable 8 weeks… and I truly hope to come back someday...🌿
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Felicitas
Germany
•
July 2024
I spent four weeks at Ekbacka Gård and it ended up being an amazing experience that I would love to repeat!
The sense of community at this farm is incredible and I enjoyed working there with all the other wwoofers & workers, preparing meals together and sitting outside with everyone at the big table in the front yard having lunch. After some time of adjustment I eventually felt warmly welcomed and at home. Also you really get used to using a compost toilet and an outside shower, so you don't have to worry about that :D I admire Bo and Katrin for their lifestyle and their hospitality. They treat their wwoofers as valuable helpers that are willing to learn instead of just workers and are very interested in everyone's story. Katrin is a very good teacher and all your questions about permaculture will get a helpful answer. I learned a lot here, not only about permaculture, but also about being content with a less materialistic lifestyle and about putting more thought into the little things.
The work was sometimes pretty tough and physically demanding, but it also felt great looking back on what you've achieved during the day. The day of the hay making was definitely the most draining but also the most fun one for me! The midsommar-evening and playing kubb until dusk is also something that I won't forget.
I'm already missing the feeling I had at Ekbacka and could write so much more about it, but I think you should just give it a try and make your own Ekbacka-memories :)
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Patricia
Germany
•
July 2024
We had two great weeks at Ekbacka Gård this June. The whole Ekbacka Gård family is very welcoming and caring. The tasks at the farm are diverse (e.g. we planted, weeded, watered, fertilized and collected hay) and we learned a lot about permaculture and how to live responsibly with the nature. Working hours were 6 per day, 5 days a week. Our freetime we enjoyed cuddling the cats, dogs and sheeps, going swimming in the river, or playing Kubb. And for sure, we spend lots of time enjoying the delicious (mostly home-grown) food Katrin prepared. Great thanks to Katrin, Bo, Arizona and Patrick!
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Jule
Germany
•
September 2023
This wwoofing experience was better than I could have ever imagined it.
I highly recommend a stay!
Ekbacka Gård is a place we're I felt so welcomed, safe, integrated and loved.
On this farm my tasks were very diverse and I was able to learn so many things about permaculture, self-sufficiency and an environmental friendly life in an with nature.
I helped with a variaty of tasks such as harvesting potatoes, carrots, apple, pears, tomatoes, beans, ... ,clear out a sheepfold, sheep shearing, making jam and hay, collecting nuts, ...
but of course the tasks are different during everyone's stay.
The food is truly amazing! It's all organic, mostly grown in their own jard and preperaed together (wwoofers and family) with love. They can prepare meals for any kind of diet: vegan, gluten-free,...
Don't forget to coudle their sheep, cats and dogs. All their animals are so adorablebe! And be there on a sunday as well for their excellent sunday brunch!
The Family is very kind and welcoming. You can learn a lot from them atalk with them for hours even if problems my occur.
It is possible to visit close city's like Kalmar and even Vaxyö and Kalskrona via train. If you ask there is most likely the possibility for someone to drive you to Nybro train station or Tvärskog bus station.
When you are coming during a warm season make sure to bring swimwear, as there are beautiful swimming spots by the river you can reach by bike or car.
I love the farm and hope to be back soon!
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