Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
20 Aug 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
15
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Details
Description
THE PROJECT: Help us re-design and maintain our urban permaculture forest-garden and vegetable/herb gardens right here in downtown historic Charlottesville VA. This urban permaculture project is not just about gardening! It includes developing a community and neighborhood network which we have been doing for close to twenty years now. Previously, my partner and I have lived in intentional, income-sharing communities, where we began learning the skills of permaculture networking and building self-sustaining systems to conserve energy and support ourselves and others living in our local communities.
THE TASKS: Bed preparation and maintenance, planting, weeding, mulching, harvesting, pruning, designing/building spiral herb garden, creating swales and paths, making trellises & garden structures, food processing.
OTHER HELP: Since helping in the garden for more than a couple hours a day can be exhausting, you will be welcome to help with your choice of cooking, cleaning, pet care and other ongoing house chores. Other options include joining me in various community volunteer projects, hanging out with the grandchildren, helping me with and learning about food processing and prep.
LENGTH OF STAY: We prefer that people stay no longer than a week, although that time could be extended if the arrangement is working out for all concerned. There is no minimum length of stay. We really do enjoy meeting lots of different people and the cultural exchange encouraged by WorkAway!
WHO WE ARE: We are two women and 1 cat living within walking distance of Charlottesville's historic downtown pedestrian mall. We're on the city bus line and are close to Greyhound & Amtrak stations. We are non-smokers & live simply. We have solar panels which provide about 80% of our electricity needs, and solar-boosted hot water. We dry clothes on lines & racks, use energy-efficient cooking techniques, recycle, compost, and practice water-conservation measures.
MEALS: We tend to eat most anything, but concentrate on fresh, wholesome, homemade food. We have homemade yogurt and granola, fruit, farm-fresh eggs, veggies and grains, bread, coffee and teas available for breakfasts which you can prepare for yourself. DIY (unless you want what I'm having) lunch is usually leftovers, wraps, salad or soup. Dinners usually include lots of veggies, protein (poultry, fish, eggs, cheese, tofu, tempeh, legumes), salads, grains. We don't eat desserts much, but usually have digestive biscuits around. Sometimes we go out for pizza!
HOUSEHOLD ROUTINES: We usually go to bed early (by 9:30 or 10:00 pm) and get up early in the mornings (6:00 - 9:00 am). You're not expected to keep those same hours! Help hours are flexible but somewhat determined by my schedule, your preferences, and the weather. We usually have dinner around 6:00 or 6:30. EVENINGS: We sometimes watch BritBox or PBS, but also do a lot of reading, planning, taking walks, gardening, hanging out with friends, and other social activities that come up. Sometimes we just meander downtown to people-watch or get an ice-cream. You're welcome to join us in any of our leisure-time activities! Oh, our grown children and 4 local grandchildren (6, 9, 13, 16) often pop over for a meal or hang-out.
ABOUT ME SPECIFICALLY:
Originally from Buffalo, New York, I moved to VA in 1983 to live in an intentional community ("hippie commune") called Twin Oaks. I lived there for 16 years, doing economic planning, hammock-weaving, forestry, cooking, child-care, and many other activities to fulfill my work quota. Since moving to Charlottesville in 1999, my primary money-making occupation has been nonprofit accounting for a few great local organizations, the most recent being our local Tai Chi dojo. I am currently "working" very part-time; about 10 hours per week.
PHILOSOPHY: Live simply and fully, be kind to all (including myself!)
INTERESTS: People, community, permaculture, Alexander Technique, reading, growing our own food, food processing (yogurt, butter, cheese, jams, dehydrating ...), Tibetan Buddhism, meditation, learning new things, spending time with friends & family, Hospice volunteer help, strategies for simple living.
One Amazing Thing I've Done: "Caught" my own granddaughter when she first came into this world!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Sustainability
Self development
LGBTQ
Politics / Social justice
Charity work
Books
Gardening
Cooking & food
Outdoor activities
Hiking
Yoga / Wellness
Nature
Dancing
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Opportunities to learn about permaculture, gardening, food processing, energy-efficient cooking, community-building, intentional communities (20 years experience living in an income-sharing community), Alexander Technique, the Transition Movement, non-profit accounting, Tai Chi, meditation, Tibetan Buddhism, the Hospice movement.
You will also be welcome to join us in family activities which can include most anything! Games, hanging out with the grandchildren, visiting with family, walking downtown, watching Brit Box or PBS, planning various projects, visits to vineyards, hanging out with friends, going to free concerts and local events.
We live in an area rich in history, culture (music, art, theatre), educational opportunities, and social activities! Since we are right in town, you will have access to all this within walking distance or by public transportation.
Help
May through October in the garden usually involves a lot of weeding, planting, mulching, watering, and harvesting. We definitely could use some help with pruning small orchard trees, and I'm happy to share these skills.
Since doing physical tasks outside for 4 hours a day is weather dependent and can be a bit strenuous, you will be invited to help me with my daily activities. These are all optional:
There are all sorts of projects that I like to get into such ask building trellises from tree prunings, designing various features for our gardens, creating artsy features from found materials, and figuring out new systems to lighten our impact on the land.
And, of course, I can always use help around the house with cooking, cleaning, pet care, food processing, and fun projects I like to attempt.
We will really appreciate your help with any of our daily tasks and special projects. However, we are not into all work and no play! We want this to be a fun cultural exchange and will therefore welcome your input as to the activities you would like to participate in while you are here. We hope you will feel welcome to share your special skills too!
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
Private room with Queen-size bed, dresser, closet, desk, chairs, and it's own heating/cooling unit (mini-split). Bathroom is shared with our friends who visit. (We have our own bathroom ensuite.) Access to the more "public" rooms in the house including living room, kitchen, and a wonderful screened-in porch.
What else ...
We live in one of the historical neighborhoods in Charlottesville. We are a short walk from the historic downtown area and the Downtown Pedestrian Mall, "A dynamic place where history is intertwined with a thriving city center, this vibrant historic district is full of live theater, music and cinema. Enjoy the limitless dining choices and shops, all located along seven blocks of brick- and tree-lined streets once strolled by Jefferson, Madison and Monroe." The oldest house in Charlottesville is right around the corner and the land on which our house is situated used to be part of "The Farm".
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Katie
Curious and shy around new people. Very sweet once she gets to know you!
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (7)
Charlottesville is a wonderful town. I enjoyed wandering about and lounging at a coffee shop.
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Feedback
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Cultural exchange:
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(5.0)
Charlottesville is a wonderful town. I enjoyed wandering about and lounging at a coffee shop.
