Profile information
Host rating
85 %
Last replied
4 Apr 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
3
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Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
Welcome!
We are Jacob & Fern. We live together with our 2 year old daughter on our small, off grid and very humble farmlet Heartwood in Guildford, Central Victoria. Guildford is home to one of Victoria's largest river red gums. It is over 500 years old. It's a very small town with only a general store, primary school & pub, half way between Castlemaine & Daylesford. We have been on this land for only 1 year & have started using permaculture principals & design. We are still very much in the beginning stages of this undertaking. So far, we have completed the fence line, (to keep the rabbits out) & joyously have begun some planting both in the food forest, a cottage garden & in the 3 large veggie patches.
We always have seeds growing in our tiny green house, & seedlings to plant out. Fern has a background in floristry & plant nursery work and has completed a PDC. Currently a full time Mama, her interest lie in walking softly on this earth, while bub loves watching the abundant birdlife- she knows all the different names! Jacob works as a gardener, is interested in spirituality, and enjoys strumming the odd tune on his guitar. We both love kirtan & are busy immersing ourself in the local community.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We live a simple life & try to get back to basics as much as possible. The property is off grid, so there would be a different experience from a regular home. We are very water wise & have a wood fire heater. Waste is managed by a worm farm compost system. Grey water from the shower is also diverted. We are striving towards community sufficiency and participate in the gifting & swap economies, as we harvest from our garden. We would welcome earth wise discussions for living more in tune with the cycles and seasons of nature & we are happy to share our skill set as well as learn from you!
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
There maybe a project we are currently on, however we would be happy to work with your interests and strengths.
Some examples include
*grey water filtration
*garden art/ features
*upcycle projects
*small construction jobs, an example steps, paths
*mulching & making compost
*harvest & preserving
*breadmaking
*planting seeds, seedlings & plants
*We do not have an internet presence, but would happily start up if that is your skill set!
*no animals as yet but hope to get quails or chickens soon!
*Always grateful for an extra eye on the little one, when we can cook dinner etc
*Sewing / mending
*Interior design- advice welcome!
Send us a message with your interests & we can outline the week / weekend together.
Like any flat mate you would need to help with dinner prep, setting the table & dishes on rotation. This is on top of the 4 hours per day.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
German: Beginner
Accommodation
We live in a small house of two bedrooms. There are a few options for sleeping, either in the living room- on a a comfortable fold out double bed in front of the fire place. We have a small caravan that could sleep 2. There is also half an acre for a double air mattress in a tent if you prefer to spread out. (we can provide)
We would share meals. We are generally vegetarian, though since the arival of our little one we have had some feast day exceptions with locally sourced meat. We shop as much as we can at the local market & bulk food stores.
What else ...
There are some great walking tracks in the surrounding bush & Vaughan Springs. Great for cold plunging or cooling off in summer. We would likely travel to either Daylesford or Castlemaine every second day, & you could come along for the daily activities &/or time for site seeing. If you would rather longer days and whole days off, we are super flexible. There is also a 'V line' bus that operates once a day along the Midland highway. We are happy to offer a hot-spot as do not have a TV or Wi-fi. We also have a great selection of books and a weekly movie night on our projector.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
There is a gravel drive for when there is wet weather & plenty of room to park when the ground is dry.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (1)
Right from the get go, they were switched on & hands on. It was a breeze to share projects, as they had fantastic ideas to share. From gardening, painting & sanding, to delicious baked sweets & jam. The days I had errands with my toddler it was so incredibly easy to leave them with a task and not have a… read more
Feedback
Right from the get go, they were switched on & hands on. It was a breeze to share projects, as they had fantastic ideas to share. From gardening, painting & sanding, to delicious baked sweets & jam. The days I had errands with my toddler it was so incredibly easy to leave them with a task and not have a… read more
