Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
26 Jun 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
32
Email verified
Badges (4)
Details
Description
Our three generation family farm is a bustling and special place on Gabriola Island! Situated next door to the BEST hiking and biking trail network on the island, our 23 acre property is a quiet and peaceful space for you to rest your head, help us out for few hours and then launch from for your island adventures.
We have a large food garden for the family that we appreciate help with as well as a four acre nut orchard with annual and perennial cut flower crops. We are passionate about invasive plant species removal; building and restoring soil; renovating and maintaining our old farm house and buildings; keeping the 91 yr old seniors on the property happy and healthy; playing board games and road hockey with the 15 yr old; recycling building materials into helpful farm improvements; taking good care of our dogs and flock of chickens and cooking healthy and nutritious vegetarian meals! Some of the adults on the property are fluent in Slovenian, Dutch and getting better at Spanish! We have a piano we'd love to hear you play on; a small sailing dinghy at the local marina and love to step away from the farm for a sail around Saturnina Island in the evenings. We have bikes, fooseball table, ping pong table, archery and pellet gun rifle shooting range to help us unwind after our chores!
We are not selling produce or looking for business help, the crops are for personal/family use in 2025. The focus this year is on expanding the hazelnut orchard and invasive plant species control.
We would prefer to host experienced travelers who are mature, independent, non-smokers, comfortable eating vegetarian food and value simplicity, self-care and healthy choices!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Elderly Companionship
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Sustainable agriculture practices; vegetarian and Ayurvedic diet/lifestyle; local ecology and identifying flora and fauna; habitat restoration; birding and nature appreciation; sharing our experiences in adopting/fostering children; small boat sailing and living simply and fully.
Help
Plan for 4 hrs of help per day sometimes with the hosts and other times independently. Invasive plant species removal; splitting wood and kindling; stacking firewood; clearing fence lines; minor home renovation or maintenance; general tool and building maintenance; baking, cooking and seasonal gardening with of course includes WEEDING! :)
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
Slovenian: Fluent
Spanish: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
Dutch, Spanish, Slovenian
Accommodation
loft bedroom above workshop with queen bed OR private forested campsite (bring your own tent/van)
and outdoor hot water shower and composting toilet. Limited wifi access, spotty cell service. Access to indoor bathroom in main farmhouse.
What else ...
We are next door to hundreds of acres of trails suitable for hiking, biking and nature appreciation! Short bike ride to Silva Bay marina and 7km to village centre/ferry On the community bus stop route which runs regularly during weekdays. Ferries to Nanaimo (main city on Vancouver Island) run every 30 minutes.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
We have a lovely forested camping spot for bike or car camping or a recreational vehicle!
Can possibly accept pets
Must be well behaved around chickens and other dogs
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
Feedback (14)
Our main task was picking the hazelnuts Sonja and Jeff are growing in their amazing orchard, but we also helped with blackberry weeding, and making… read more
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(4.9)
Communication:
(5.0)
Our main task was picking the hazelnuts Sonja and Jeff are growing in their amazing orchard, but we also helped with blackberry weeding, and making… read more
Thank you Sonja, Jeff for making me feel like at home. And big thanks to Hunter for… read more
The schedule is laid back, my 4-5 hours per day could be taken at any time, else I was free to explore the island or just hang… read more
These hardworking young travelers are fun, engaging, enthusiastic and easy going. Perfect fit for our busy little household. Our dogs miss their attention and the blackberries are dripping… read more
Sonja and Jeff were wonderful hosts and they have a beautiful farm on Gabriola island. I worked mostly outdoors, and the work I did included mulching in the greenhouse and garden, weeding, cleaning as well as helping with dinner preparation. Usually I worked around 2-3 hours in the… read more
