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Work Opportunity at Semilla Besada |
Thank you for your interest in this position. We have tried
to be as comprehensive as possible, and the following subjects are covered
in the text below:
- About Semilla Besada
- About Aspen and David
- For the more esoteric minded
- The vision
- Job description
- Terms and conditions
- Application form
About Semilla Besada
Semilla Besada is a 16 hectare research conservation farm set at 1300m above the town of Lanjarón, in the province of Granada, in southern Spain. It is the first farm in Europe to use a synthesis of Permaculture and Holistic Management® to manage for social, environmental and economic sustainability.
It currently comprises 200 mixed fruit and nut trees, 100 grape vines, 50 fodder trees, 6 annual vegetable growing areas and grazed pasture. It also has a flock of rare breed Andalucian Blue chickens, a warren of 20 mixed breed rabbits, a small herd of mixed breed sheep, geese and bees.
All the land and animals are managed holistically where the wellbeing of both is given priority. Holistic Management involves testing every decision in seven different ways and careful planning and monitoring to ensure ongoing sustainability. As part of this work sustainable small-scale farming practices are being researched and developed. Out of this focus is the use of grazing animals to re-establish perennial grasses and reverse desertification.
Grazing animals have been given bad press over the years, and environmental degradation has been directly attributed to their presence. However, it is how they are managed, rather than the animals themselves, that have created denuded landscapes. Animals are a natural and essential part of the dynamic of life.
About us
David and Aspen Edge have over twenty years training and experience of working towards social, economic and environmental sustainability. Aspen is a certified educator of Holistic Management® accredited by Holistic Management International, and David is a Permaculture designer, who trained with Patrick Whitefield, and is a trustee of the Agroforestry Research Trust.
Attendant to this, Aspen has commercial experience through management accountancy, small business consultancy and lecturing in business studies. Through the world of human resource development, she also gained experience and training in psychotherapy. David was also a software designer for a systems company in London, and later trained as a cabinet maker.
They live and work at Semilla Besada with their 17 year-old son, who has been home-educated throughout his life, and is now beginning his own small business as a website designer.
For the more esoteric-minded
Semilla Besada in numerological terms represents four, which has the following qualities.
The essence of four is security, the four elements, the four sacred directions, self-discipline through work and service, productivity, organisation wholeness and unity.
Four has a stable and secure energy. It is the number of building and form, but as it carries the memory of three, it can hold a vision. It symbolises solid foundations and protection. It is very grounded and connected to Mother Earth. Here will be found certainty, strength and stability. Qualities, such as commitment and focus are fostered. The fruits of labour are relished, as work is love made visible. This energy lends itself to steady employment and building foundations for the future. Excellent for a group of people who are working together towards common goals, particularly in the areas of earth energies and land stewardship.
The vision
All land-based work is hard, and we know no one who is dedicated to hard work for its own sake! So what is it that provides the inspiration to keep working and developing Semilla Besada, through all its ebbs and flows? It is a vision. It is a vision of a world that we would like to work towards. It is crafted by all the decision-makers at Semilla Besada and presented in the form of a three-part statement. It is written in the present tense to provide power to the process.
We are dedicated to sustainable land stewardship and are passionate about providing opportunities for others to learn how to create a sustainable life, land and livelihood. We are inspired by our pioneering work with Holistic Management® within the context of small-scale-farms in brittle environments. We are committed to fostering wholesome and responsible relationships in our local and international community and are supported by those relationships. We are nurtured by a natural environment which exemplifies the balanced and healthy relationship that can exist between humans and the planet.
In order to move towards this quality of life within the management of Semilla Besada we are committed to acting in the following ways:
- creating an environment that fosters and maintains the health of the ecosystem processes,
- managing the farm in a way that consistently leads us towards our holistic direction,
- ensuring that we make equal opportunities for supporting study, family, paid and pro bono work,
- making time for ourselves,
- developing our land management in an open-minded way,
- offering the results of our research for the benefit of others,
- creating and fostering a local and international network of supportive colleagues,
- treating every situation as an opportunity for learning, and
- fostering the attitude that our work is one of service to future generations.
This statement acts as a guiding light and inspiration. All our decisions are tested towards this outcome, as well as the seven tests for sustainability (under the Holistic Management framework). This statement is the foundation of the policies, strategies and objectives that are created. For example, our current strategies are:
- Short-term: sustainable tourism, residential seminars, local services and publications
- Medium-term: sustainable tourism dropped ... e-learning, publications, local services and research
- Long-term: cottage industries in sheep's cheese, organic Costa wine and organic dried produce, e-learning, publications, local services and research.
Job Description
This position involves the maintenance of the existing landscape in
terms of the land, the animals and the produce, as well as the development
of the design structure of Semilla Besada. More specifically, it includes:
- maintenance of the vegetable producing areas, including such tasks as
sowing, planting, weeding, composting and mulching
- clearance of decadent plant material, including strimming, shredding
and cutting to re-use elsewhere
- maintenance of animal wellbeing, including movement, feeding and
cleaning out stable and warren yards
- developing design structure through stone-wall building, terrace
reclamation and tree/shrub planting and fencing
- developing design structure through installation of wind generator
and fencing.
This is a pivotal position in moving all those who live and work at
Semilla Besada towards a sustainable future, and towards a model that can
serve as inspiration for others.
Terms and Conditions
This position is initially for a three-month period commencing March 2007, with a view to extending for a year or more.
Hours of work: 36 hours spread over a six day week.
Accomodation: a caravan or a single-room dwelling, with access to the common room in the family farmhouse. There is a composting toilet and solar shower block.
Facilities: access to a washing machine. Reference video and book library covering the field of sustainability. Opportunity to come to town with us on a once a week basis to shop, access banks or internet. Opportunity of attending any of the residential seminars at a 40% discount.
Meals: full board of organic omnivore wholefood is provided.
Stipend: Their is a stipend of 20euros per week worked. The entire value of this package, based on local rates for comparable facilities, services and salaries is 14,220 euros per annum. In other words, this is what it would cost you to live in this part of Spain under the same conditions. There is no payment for time spent on holiday or when sick.
Sickness: in the unfortunate event of you becoming ill, we are happy to support for a period of not greater than 14 days. Therafter, you will need to make other arrangements for your care and recuperation.
Semilla Besada has public liability insurance, but it is recommended that additional insurance is taken out to cover medical expenses in the event of an accident or illness, together with repatriation for treatment and/or convalescence.
Please do not hesitate to ask if you have any questions about this position. If you would like to make an application please complete the following form and submit it to us.
Best wishes,
Aspen and David
Work Opportunity at Semilla Besada - Application Form
In order to help us find out whether we are going to be a great match, please would you fill in the details below and submit it to us.