An Oasis in the Heart of Istanbul: Embracing Sustainability and Nature

Istanbul

13 reviews • Updated 1 month ago

Announcement! We are going to start a new orangery, glasshouse project in February. Any kind of help will be appreciated 😇 Living Farm is a permenant family house settled in 1 acre. In the farm, there are several fruit trees, berries, veggy garden and also there is a landscape area which contains annual and perennial plants. We make our vinegar, preserves and liqueur by using the plants that we grow. We also make our own bread. We live with a dog called Haşmet, chickens, sheep and the bees. We have meals together with our guests and our foods are delicious. But if you have a special diet or picky about meals pls consider other farms. ***** Türk kültürünün, yaşam tarzının, geleneklerinin deneyimlenmesi açısından yabancı konuklar seçilmekte ne yazık ki yurt içinden konuk kabul edilmemektedir. Anlayışınız için teşekkür ederiz. Yaşam Ormanı, 4 dönüm arazide yerleşik ailemizin evidir. Çiftliğimizde pek çok meyve ağacı, üzümsü yemişler, yazlık bostanla birlikte tek yıllık ve çok yıllık bitkileri içeren peyzaj alanları yer almaktadır. Bahçemizde yetişen ürünleri konserve, sirke, likör gibi farklı ürünlere dönüştürmekte kendi ekmeğimizi de yoğurarak şifasından yararlanmaktayız. Sürekli misafirlerimiz olan kuşların yanında köpeğimiz (Haşmet), tavuklarımız, kuzularımız, arılarımızla birlikte yaşamaktayız.

Learning opportunities

Vegetable farming

Fruit or nut farming

Poultry farming

Sheep or goat farming

Beekeeping

Flower farming

Beer, cider, wine, or juice making

Bakery

Mechanics / tools / technology

Methods or systems

No-till farming

Permaculture

Regenerative agriculture

Host type

Self-sufficiency property

0.4 Hectares | 1 Acres

Accommodation

1 WWOOFer

Bedroom

Children not accepted

Pets accepted

Meals

Omnivore

Length of stay

1-2 weeks

3-4 weeks

Over a month

Fatih

Member since 2023

Languages spoken: English, Turkish Response rate: 95% Response time: typically within 2 days

November 2025

Open

Planned visit

Closed

MapLibre | Protomaps | © OpenStreetMap

Istanbul

Sabiha Gökçen Havalimanı

Reviews

Anna

Finland • November 2025

Fatih and his mother took good care of me. The room provided for the volunteer is excellent and food is plentiful and healthy. There is enough space for everyone to have privacy. Fatih is generous with his knowledge and the tasks were varied. I was very happy with my stay.

Efe

Türkiye • May 2025

I had such a great experience at this farm that words aren't enough to express my gratitude. Fatih and Emriye Teyze were so welcoming, warm, and kind that I felt at home immediately like I was a part of their family. The food was awesome. My room was clean, cozy, and very comfortable. I had my own private bathroom. Everything was set up in a way for a guest to feel comfortable. And, everything was of high-quality too :) I learned about gardening, plants, and trees but the main project was building the orangery. Fatih is like a Swiss Army knife in human form. He is very knowledgeable yet humble. I learned a lot from him and would like to visit again in the future. It's nice to know that there are still people like Fatih and Emriye Teyze roaming this planet. I wish them the best and hope to see them again.

HINANO

Japan • March 2025

I had a wonderful experience at this garden. I learned the joy and richness of living in nature. It was also a wonderful experience to taste delicious Turkish home cooking. Thank you very much.

Marte

Norway • October 2024

This was our first time woofing and it was a lovely introduction. We mainly spent the week chopping wood, weekding, planting seedlings, feeding animals, harvesting and making lots of jams and juice. The grapes from the neighbour's garden are without a doubt the best grapes we have ever tasted! We've been for a walks almost every afternoon and it's been nice to have some time to explore the surrounding areas. We've definately made memories for life during our time here, and would like to thank Fatih and Emriye for their hospitality. To Fathi for teaching us ore about plants and how to experience them - touch and going close being of importance here. And to Emriy for being a kind and enthusiastic host who we got to know better through Google translate. And thank you for teaching us different recipies that we can share with our loved ones at home. Than you both for your generosity and kindness, for everything we've learnt and for the produce we were given to take home so the rest of our family could taste. Last but not least, thank you to Hasmed for being the sweetest dog ever. Thank you again for having us.

Bardia

Türkiye • September 2024

Fatih and his mom were gracious hosts and welcomed me into their home and hearts. I quickly found a routine while living there; feeding the animals in the morning, cutting trees, weeding, watering the garden, and helping Emriye teyze with her chores. I am happy to have met them, and will definitely go back one day.

Songül

Germany • August 2024

Yaşam ormanında, büyük bir hayal kırıklıĝına uĝradım. Fatih beyi ĝittiĝim gün ve ertesi saba 2 defa gördüm bir haftada. Önce tatile daha sonra çalışmaya gittiĝini duydum annesinden. Benimle hiç bir biçimde muatap olmadı kendisi. Iki haftalık süremi bire düşürmek zorunda kaldım, koşullardan dolayı. Konaklama harikaydı fakat, camlarda tel olmadıĝı için ve aşırı sıcaktan açmak zorunda kaldıĝım için, bütün vucudum sinek şokuna uĝradı. Annesi 74 saşında titiz ve herşeyi kontröl eden kişiydi. Su șişesinden çalışırken ,su içmeme dahi. Kaldıĝım katın Balkon kapısını açdıĝımda sürekli müdahele ediyordu. Bir haftada sadece üç gece uyuyabildim, oda alt katta salonda(girişde) Fatih bey gittikten sonra, üç gün aynı yemekler masaya konuldu. Çalışıp geldikten sonra, birde masayı hazırlamak zorunda kalıyordum. Ancak tabaĝını bile kaldırma gereĝi görmiyen oĝlu olduĝu zaman, özel yemekler yapıldıĝı gibi, masa kurulu oluyordu. Daha ilk günümün akşamaı tarlada çalışıp mutfaĝa girdim ve annesi elime soyacaĝı sıkıştırdı, salatalık soymak için. Fatih bey ise(43 yaşında) televizyon izliyordu. Biz gönüllüler erkeklere hızmet etmek için bu tür çiftlikleri seçmiyoruz. Bunu türkiyede ziyaret ettiĝim 5 çiftlikten 4 de yaşadım. Nasıl bir zihniyet? Laf ebeline gellince mangalda kül bırakmıyorlar. Fatih beyin böyle kurnazca işe gitmesi , beni haberdar etmemesi, annesiyle yalnız kalmam, hiç bir sosyal aktivite yapamamam, konuşacak insanın olmaması:( Kesinlikle tafsiye etmiyorum.