Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
7 Apr 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
12
Facebook verified
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
We are a non-profit land trust organization that runs: outdoor education programs, a natural-burial conservation cemetery, and a conservation program that manages 1,263 acres of pine/oak forest and grassland on the eastern edge of the Columbia River Gorge in south central Washington state. The ranch is also home to a community of people and animals year-round. There are currently six full-time residents at the ranch, and always other wonderful guests, volunteers, and program participants coming and going.
What we do:
• Outdoor education (spring, summer, and fall)
• Manage our 20-acre, natural-burial, conservation cemetery
• Care for many animals - we share the land with about 20 horses, a flock of chickens and pigeons, seasonal pigs, several cats, and a few dogs. (Not to mention all the wildlife!)
• LOTS of gardening (April-October) – we produce a lot of food!
• Forestry (October-February) – wildfire-fuels reduction and forest health management, designed to be fire-wise and climate-resilient
• Conservation projects, including invasive species removal, native plantings, etc.
• Live off-grid, and manage the off-grid systems
• Various ranch projects, including building and fixing things, fencing and unfencing, trail maintenance, moving objects from place to place, and cleaning… so much cleaning.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
General homesteading skills, animal care, help with kids, living with off-grid systems, gardening and landscaping, conservation practices like invasive species ID and forest health basics... Other possibilities (but not guarantees) also include chainsaw safety and skills, driving a tractor, occasional horse rides or horse connection time, driving a stick shift, power tools, etc.
Help
Volunteers have the opportunity to come as a general ranch volunteer, or to focus their service in our garden, forestry project, or lodge-keeping (although *everyone* helps with the various kinds of general tasks and chores, and volunteers should always expect to be involved in hosting visitors).
We aim to have two-six volunteers at a time, depending on the season, and ask that folks stay at least a month. Internships generally require a longer stay (2-6 months). Volunteers will be directly supervised by our volunteer coordinator – and will often work alongside other amazing staff members as well, depending on need and interest.
Some things you might be involved with in your stay:
- Gardening
- Leading activities with kids
- Forestry
- Cleaning & organizing
- Animal care (mainly feeding chores)
- Cemetery care
- Cooking
Qualifications for a volunteer are:
• Genuine interest in ranch life and sustainable living
• The physical capacity to help in all types of weather and lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to receive directions and work collaboratively, and also to work independently and be self-motivated to take initiative
• Willingness to engage in non-violent communication practice as part of the team
• Experience or education in permaculture, horticulture, farming, gardening, forestry, outdoor/environmental education, or community living is a bonus!
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
Volunteers will be provided with either a room in the lodge, bunkhouse, or a trailer. There is also plenty of room to camp if that is preferred. We provide all basic food. During programs, meals are shared, but during the off-season most meals are cook-for-yourself or cook-for-each-other. There are also 1,263 acres to explore!
What else ...
We are located outside of Goldendale, WA – a small, rural town with a population of around 3,000 - a 2.5 hour drive from Portland, OR. We are on the eastern edge of the Columbia River Gorge, which has vast trails, rivers and waterfalls galore, and extremely interesting climate variations. It’s beautiful here!
A note about the horses: we love to take our volunteers out on the trail when time and weather / ground conditions allow, but this may only be once during your stay. Riding possibilities can be limited by conditions and program demands of the horses. But there are other ways to connect with horses that we may be able to facilitate as well.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
25 hours a week
Feedback (4)
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
This was our very first WorkAway opportunity, and it was such an incredible introduction. Michelle was very incredibly accommodating and helpful from Day 1, and everybody else at the ranch, through every task and chore we helped with, was friendly and so generous with their time and expertise. We have only great things to… read more
I suppose we'll start at the beginning! I spent 7 months on this beautiful land from mid March to early October. The place was covered in snow when I arrived so I got to see it through a few seasonal transitions and let me tell you, that itself would be worth the opportunity. But it doesn't… read more
