Help on a homestead at the top of the mountain on the edge of Yosemite park, USA

Details

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  Description

  Update September 2026
  We are looking for help with finishing up fire hardening with brush clearing and apple harvesting. Also the possibility of farm sitting from mid November till mid December with the right fit.
  
  Come help build a tree house, learn about permaculture and be ready for wilderness adventures. Learn about the plants & animals on an offgrid homestead high on the mountain at the edge of Yosemite.
  
  The 5 acres of forest land surrounded by national forest has had a lot of tree mortality in the last 3 years, we have been cutting & milling the dead trees and building studios and a barn. Focusing on regenerative gardening, peraculture, deep ecology, sun power, self reliance. We are layed back artists and adventurous living the good life by having the least impact on the earth mother.
  
  There is a camping area, 2 tiny tree houses & hexagon cabin with outdoor solar shower. The barn/grange has a indoor winter kitchen and shower. The garden and orchard area of a half acre are planted with veggies, herbs, apple, pear, figs, peach, apricots, plums, grapes, walnuts and berries. We enjoy the simple free life here on top of a ridge with wonderful views of Yosemite high country. We are currently hosting artist residencies who are constructing tiny houses and structures with the local wood, writers and artists. We host helpers as well with planting out our small garden with herbs, produce and fruit trees, learning the simple living skills with the peace of wild nature.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Light gardening

  Creative DIY projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Light maintenance
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Getting to know the simple life by living, playing, learning and exploring one of the most beautiful places in California.
  
  The finer things in life.
  
  The history of the area, native peoples, first settlers, gold rush, parks, etc.
  
  Time to slow down and unplug.
  
  All about the abundance of nature, learn about the native trees, plants and animals, medicial herbs, Helpers will learn the basics of how to live off the grid, building, composting, permaculture, ecological land use, simple outdoor living skills, solar baking and animal care.

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  Help

  We are getting started, off the grid homestead with plans of goats, chickens, orchards, gardens, guest cabins, for learning, exploring, adventure & play. At the moment we are finishing building the barn/grange and building a tree house, planting out herbs, vegetables & fruit & nut orchard.
  
  We only focus on small scale production to support the family, animals, and guests on the farm. Required work 4 hours a day, 4-5 days a week on a variety of projects that depend greatly on the seasons. Some of the task are helping with the organic garden, tending the amimals, doing forest clearing and cleaning, building projects with the local wood and the many art projects from painting to constuction.
  
  There is ample time to explore, adventure & climb around Yosemite, learn new skills, read, relax, cook, nap or just be.
  
  Work days, Friday-Tuesday, staring in the morning working till lunch, where we gather a huge salad from the garden and eggs from the chickens and enjoy the rest of the day. time for fun and play. Often we go to the river or rainbow pool for the hot afternoons.
  
  Most tasks change day to day, one day in the garden, next day mulching the orchard, art project day or building project, so there are always new tasks, unless we are doing a big project.
  
  We spend about half our time in and around Yosemite climbing & exploring. Yosemite adventures are why we are here is a great base for projects, art, enjoying the peace and preping for the next adventures. Mid weeks are spent in and around the park swimming, climbing, biking, wandering, playing, exploring.....
  
  If interested in helping please respond with dates you would like to stay, this helps us respond.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent
  French: Intermediate
  Spanish: Beginner

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  Accommodation

  We have a small tree house with bed & sink for helpers, there is a communal kitchen where we make meals & gather for projects and music.
  
  We have a stocked kitchen with all the basics, beans, rice, oats, fruits and nuts, eggs, dairy and meat. Helpers can help themsevles for breakfast, lunch is a huge salad from the garden with eggs and rice, dinner is more open depending on what time to eat, planned ahead for solar oven baking during the day. There is plenty of herds for tea, & fruit and greens from the garden.
  
  When adventuring in Yosemite we share the food and take as much from the garden.

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  What else ...

  We prefer if you stay at least 3 weeks as a shorter time does not give the time to fully appreciate the farm and surrounding areas.
  
  Groveland is about 10 miles where there is cafes, museum, food market, etc. Yosemite nat'l park is 20 miles, in the summer there is a bus each day to the park. We go for adventures each week in Yosemite for an overnight or two.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  My animals / pets

  

  Roca

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