Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
7 Apr 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
8
ID verified
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
Hey everyone! My name is Jonathan and I'm a 36-year-old, LGBT-friendly, retired Air Force Veteran. I have a 5-acre ranch in the high desert of Apple Valley, California. I plan on creating a self-sustainable regenerative community and I need your help, experience and knowledge! I am just in the beginning stages of this process.
I am currently working on building structures around the ranch for workawayers to utilize (dorm rooms, bathrooms, camping space, etc.). This year I'd like to build a greenhouse for my vertical garden towers. I'd like to grow 90% of the food we eat here at the ranch. If you’re experienced with construction, please reach out!
Please read through my entire profile to make sure this experience is right for you. Whenever you reach out, I'll send a short questionnaire, and whenever I receive your reply and decide it's a good fit for us, I will schedule a video chat and confirm your dates and accommodations. If you are flying here, you must coordinate your travels to arrive at the Victorville Bus Station (16838 D St, Victorville, CA 92395) and confirm a pick up date/time with me.
Types of help and learning opportunities
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
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You can learn more about taking care of farm animals, ranch experience, helping with vertical garden towers, and exploring California.
Help
Our schedule here is Monday through Thursday from 9am-2pm with a break for lunch at 12pm. You can expect any of the following combinations of tasks during your stay:
-Animals (feeding, refilling water dispensers, cleaning up the cat house/barn stalls/pens & chicken coop)
-Gardening (planting, pruning, propagating, watering, cleaning pots, etc.)
-Yard Help (weed eating/spraying, mowing the lawn, insect/pest control)
-Ranch Maintenance (mostly handy-man type work like fixing things around the ranch or putting together equipment)
-Organizing Materials (organizing tools, supplies, labeling, etc.)
-Construction (building sheds, greenhouses, outhouses, etc.)
-Caretaker (My Mom is in her 70's and is a breast cancer survivor who has early onset Alzheimer's. She is self-sufficient but forgetful. She loves to play card games, go to the diner for breakfast, play bingo on Wednesdays and Thursdays and smoke/share her weed, lol.)
I will most likely assign tasks based on your skills and preferences; however, you must be flexible and willing to work any of these tasks if needed.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
I am interested in learning more Spanish
Accommodation
If you need accommodations I have converted my 1,200 sf garage into a dorm for workawayers. This includes:
2 Queen Sized Beds with Curtains for Privacy, Storage for Clothes & a Night Stand
Living Room w/ a 50" TV
Wood-Burning Stove for the Winter
Air Conditioning for the Summer
2 Computer Desks
Small Kitchenette w/ Hot Plates, Fridge, Sink, & Cooking/Dining Materials
You will be sharing this space with another workawayer (2 if they are a couple). The garage doors can sometimes be noisy if it is windy out so please keep this in mind. I have also provided ear plugs to use when sleeping. This space is to be kept clean at all times since it is a communal environment. This means washing, drying and putting away your dishes after you eat, wiping down tables and countertops, vacuuming when necessary, and putting your things away.
If you have your own accommodations like an RV, camper, van, or bus, I have an RV hook-up with septic, water, and electricity. If you plan on setting up a tent, we have plenty of outdoor space for you to choose a location. Keep in mind the desert gets extremely windy. You will have access to a shared bathroom as well as the kitchen and other common areas. For workawayers with their own accommodations, I don't require as many work hours (10-12 hours per week vs 20 hours) and I do not provide food, however you're welcome to grab fresh eggs from the chicken coop and help yourself to shared meals that I prepare.
There is also plenty of outdoor space with firepits, hammocks, and lounge chairs. I have a small outdoor workout area with CrossFit equipment and a small indoor area with workout equipment.
We have Tesla's Starlink for internet which is fast and reliable.
Please make sure you have funds for food. I will provide organic ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, fresh water, canned items, rice, cereals, snacks, spices, and oils, etc. You're also more than welcome to grab fresh eggs from the chicken coop.
Please note that laundry must be done off the premises. We can schedule a trip to the laundromat where you can wash and dry your clothes.
What else ...
There are lots of really good restaurants in my area. I'm 5-10 minutes away from Super Target, "The Gym", Walmart, Starbucks, CVS, local eateries, and a health food store. There's a Farmer's Market every Wednesday and Sunday 5 minutes away from the ranch. And a Sprouts Farmers Market 20 minutes away.
I am centrally located between Los Angeles and Las Vegas (about 2.5-hour drive to both). I'm an hour away from Joshua Tree National Park and Big Bear Lake in the mountains, 1.5 hours from Palm Springs, and 2.5 hours from San Diego. I have an event calendar at the ranch and we usually take group trips/hikes about 2x a month. Let me know what you're interested in exploring during your stay!
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Digital nomads are welcome! We have Starlink internet and it's fast and reliable. There's plenty of indoor and outdoor space where you can set up your laptop and work.
Space for parking camper vans
I have 1 spot for an RV hook-up. There is septic, water and electricity available.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
4 hours a day, 4 days a week
Feedback (5)
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)
There aren’t powerful enough words to depict just how amazing of a host Jonathan is and how serene the ranch feels. Jonathan and his ranch have provided us with both healing we didn’t know we needed and opportunity to grow our skills and passions in a safe and inclusive space.
The Host:
Genuinely kind hearted and a great… read more
