Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
18 Apr 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 6 days
Feedback
26
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Details
Description
Hi there! Welcome to our small, non-commercial farm, located on 5 beautiful acres in the countryside! On our small farm there are several raised beds, a greenhouse, summer vegetables, a blueberry and raspberry patch, and a swimming pond. Strider the farm dog is our beloved 3 year old English Shepherd. This means we cannot have pup visitors during your experience here. Most of the farm is a fenced pasture for 6 to 8 sheep, 30 to 40 chickens and several varieties of fruit trees. There is a symbiotic relationship between the sheep, chickens, fruit trees, and the small lake. Think sustainable living and farming. Our home and garden are surrounded by perennial plantings of herbs and flowers. Much of the food and herbs we eat are grown here. We share excess harvest with neighbors and Workawayer guests! Sustainability is our philosophy, and permaculture is our approach. The farm is nestled in the central Willamette Valley, close to the cities of Salem, McMinnville, and Corvallis; Portland and Eugene are not far. Eastern Oregon is a beautiful high desert with lava fields, forests and ski resorts.
David has a wealth of knowledge and experience, and has stories to share. With a masters degree in psychology he has worked as a social worker with Children's Services, developed a vineyard and then a winery, constructed his home and winery, then remodeled and developed this diverse and sustainable homestead.
With a wealth of information and experiences, there is here sources and resources of information on farming, permaculture, gardening, irrigation, marketing, and food preservation. Your presence is helpful as I am of an age where a desire to share this with others is important to me.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
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
Whether from the USA or another country, we value, respect and provide an open, receptive and supportive environment for the exchange of culture and knowledge.
In this quiet setting, you can be a part of a cohesive community, while also feeling recognized as a unique individual. Guests who spend time here generally leave having gained knowledge, knowing their work and contributions have been valued, and an expanded skill set, better equipped to continue their journey. Your happiness is our reward! (Feel free to check out the reviews left from past guests.)
I enjoy sharing as well as learning from you, welcome your experiences and knowledge. This exchange is mutually beneficial. Here, exists the opportunity to feel appreciated, grounded and connected, while exploring your relationship with Nature.
Learning to live in balance
Takes time.
Patience and perseverance.
Nature is our mentor.
We are all stewards of the earth.
Through listening,
Observing nature,
We grow and learn,
Cultivating wisdom.
Help
First of all, you must be fully vaccinated, boosted and updated with the latest covid strain. A photo of your card is required.
Currently, there is a need is for help feeding the sheep, collecting eggs, stocking the farm stand and helping in the main house. Seed propagation will begin in March. From the 19th of March to May 3rd, you will also be house sitting while I'm away.
Winter is pruning time. Grapevines, perennial plantings and fruit trees. Raised beds are cleaned up, 200 wire cages are removed and dead plants are composted. March and April is seed starting time. April and May we are direct seeding and transplanting starts, weeding flower beds, weed whacking with a weed eater, addressing irrigation needs, brush removal. Landscaping and maintenance projects are ongoing throughout the Summer when there's time. Food preservation and processing occur mostly in June, Sept, Oct. and Nov. We dry apples, pears, spearmint and other herbs. Freezing and canning veggies and fruits, making jams, salsa and hot sauce. Roasting peppers and eggplant. Planting of Winter greens and garlic happens in August and Early Sept. In the Fall we may make cider.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
Accommodation
You can stay in the main house or the tiny house. The tiny house is for rent. In the meantime, it's available to you. In the main house, you will have your own fully furnished bedroom with dresser, bed, desk, small refrigerator and closet. You will have access to shared living and dining spaces in the house. The kitchen is very large, 6 burner stove, granite countertops, large refrigerator, pantry, two ovens, grain mill, two mix masters, and most everything you will need.
The tiny house is also well equipped. Located behind the main house next to a seasonal stream, it has a sofa, a small dining table and desk, well equipped kitchen, bathroom with shower stall and composting toilet. There is a full sized electric stove and oven, full sized refrigerator, two beds in separate lofts, and high speed internet. There is also an outdoor table and chairs, a grill, chaise lounges, and a fire pit. The tiny house overlooks the garden and pond!
There is no smoking in the house. Smoking outdoors is OK. I am 420 friendly.
What else ...
From here, it is about an hour to the ocean ( the cities of Newport, Lincoln City, and Pacific City) It is 30 to 35 minutes west of Salem, North of Corvallis, and South of McMinnville. Portland and Eugene are one hour and 15 minutes away. Wineries surround us up and down the valley. The Willamette river is 7 miles away. The Cascade mountains are an hour to the East. The high desert, obsidian fields, and rock climbing are further to the East. Skiing at Mount Hood, Mt Jefferson and Mt Bachelor, white water rafting, and many other adventures await you. Rivers are abundant. Monmouth University is just 5 miles away.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
There is a router in the main house and tiny house with speeds up to 60 mbs. Cell reception is spotty.
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
Hours expected
25 hours a week.
Feedback (16)
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:
(4.9)
Hay dedicación y cariño en cada rincón...hay que ayudar sin que te lo pidan,siempre se puede hacer mas...y respetar el lugar..ellos lo merecen tienen un paraíso.
We stayed in the tiny house, which is very well built and fits a surprising amount of storage space and facilities. It feels a lot bigger on the inside than it looks on the… read more
During my stay, I mended fences, fixed irrigation/pump leaks, weeded, planted, baited for rodents, filled in gopher holes, and did all the morning and evening chores (walking Strider, feeding sheep/ chickens, and getting them out for the morning and in for the night, watering… read more
Both David and Suzanne are delightful people. I felt very welcomed, respected and cared-for throughout my entire stay. (One week)
If it’s food and… read more
On the day I arrived I dug out potatoes and weeded the garden beds. Suzanne gave me a zucchini… read more
