Learn about gardening on our organic property in the beautiful Cowichan Valley, Canada
Last activity
: 18 Apr 2025
Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks
Workawayers needed
Possibility that workawayers are needed
No availability
Details
Host ref number: 338268622361
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Feedback (7)
Left by host for Workawayer (Bettina & Richard)
Betty and Richie were amazing guests. They had a wonderful work ethic, were a pleasure to be around, helped out in many small ways even when they were "off duty". They did so much work around my property that its a pleasure to walk around now, and take everything in without making a dozen or two mental "To do" lists.
They shared life stories and
… read more were interested in learning about me and my family and life in this part of Canada. They have a very flexible attitude towards food, work and life in general. They explored the region on their off time and really knew how to make the most of each day. They more or less took over the dinner preparations which was a bonus as they are very good cooks and like to experiment with recipes from the countries they visited before coming to Canada. They are sensitive people and took cues from what was happening at the moment. There are always people coming and going it seems, and my two small grandsons are often here. They engaged positively with the 3 year old who would have been happy to follow them around most of the day!
I wish them all the best on their journey! Safe travels!
Left by Workawayer (Bettina & Richard) for host
We couldn't believe how fast our two weeks at Ramonas farm went by.
We enjoyed our time so much and are very grateful for the opportunity to stay with her and to meet her lovely family.
The property is beautiful and we got our own cute little hut behind the herb garden.
After our breakfast we normally worked for 5 hours with a lunchbreak in
… read more between.
We helped Ramona mostly with weeding, planted vegetables and discovered how much fun it can be to mow! (With the right tools)
Ramona always explained everything well but we could still work independently most of the time.
After work we went to a wonderful river spot to cool down. Duncan and it's surroundings are gorgeous with a lot of nice hiking trails (Ramona can give you many tips).
In the evening we always had a delicious meal. Ramona allowed us to experiment in her amazingly equiped kitchen which was nice after such a long time of travelling. But she is also a great cook herself!
Another highlight was the family dinner each Sunday. Her son Jeremy and his wife Jessy have two super cute little boys who made us laugh so many times.
Jeremy has his gin destillery on the same property and you will meet him also almost every day. By the way: their gin is absolutly the best we ever tried!
On Saturday Ramona sells the gin at the Duncan Farmers market which is also a nice place to walk around.
Ramona and her family are wonderful and inspiring but also hard working people. We wish them all the best for the future!Hope to see you again,
Betti & RichiYou can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by Workawayer (KajaGermany) for host
Excellent, all-round, well organized workaway for everybody who enjoys harvesting, gardening and spending time in nature! Ramona, Steven, the whole family is super welcoming and fun to talk to. Lots to see and learn from their various, organic vegetable patches, the distillery and the family’s general, impressing DIY attitude. During my time at
… read more their place I had very tasty, self grown food together with the family, experienced different markets, went to the beautiful river swimming spot after work or enjoyed some quiet time in the tiny house... everything just perfect! :ok_hand_tone2:You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by Workawayer (Alexander) for host
Probably the best first workaway experience I could have asked for.
I spent one month on Ramona's and Stephen's organic farm in June and had a really great time. Could have easily stayed the whole summer. They had a lot of different projects (weeding, mulching, setting up a bird protection system in the blueberries, painting, some carpentering,
… read more bottling in the distillery,...) going on during that time and I definitely learned a lot from both of them. The workdays were very divers and I was usually done by 3pm, unless I wanted to finish of with a project and kept going for a little longer.
The meals they provided were amazing, with lots of fresh vegetables from their garden or products from the area.
I stayed in their lovely little cabin, which is located in the garden a couple of steps away from their house. You got your own private space and a comfy bed. I loved this little tiny house.
Thank you so much again Ramona and Stephen for letting me be part of the family and showing me so many things on your farm and on the Island. I hope the tayberries are doing better now.
See you in Austria one day!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Photos
At the Duncan Farmers Market
At the Duncan Farmers market with my son
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Left by host for Workawayer (Bettina & Richard)
Betty and Richie were amazing guests. They had a wonderful work ethic, were a pleasure to be around, helped out in many small ways even when they were "off duty". They did so much work around my property that its a pleasure to walk around now, and take everything in without making a dozen or two mental "To do" lists.
They shared life stories and
… read more were interested in learning about me and my family and life in this part of Canada. They have a very flexible attitude towards food, work and life in general. They explored the region on their off time and really knew how to make the most of each day. They more or less took over the dinner preparations which was a bonus as they are very good cooks and like to experiment with recipes from the countries they visited before coming to Canada. They are sensitive people and took cues from what was happening at the moment. There are always people coming and going it seems, and my two small grandsons are often here. They engaged positively with the 3 year old who would have been happy to follow them around most of the day!
I wish them all the best on their journey! Safe travels!
Left by Workawayer (Bettina & Richard) for host
We couldn't believe how fast our two weeks at Ramonas farm went by.
We enjoyed our time so much and are very grateful for the opportunity to stay with her and to meet her lovely family.
The property is beautiful and we got our own cute little hut behind the herb garden.
After our breakfast we normally worked for 5 hours with a lunchbreak in
… read more between.
We helped Ramona mostly with weeding, planted vegetables and discovered how much fun it can be to mow! (With the right tools)
Ramona always explained everything well but we could still work independently most of the time.
After work we went to a wonderful river spot to cool down. Duncan and it's surroundings are gorgeous with a lot of nice hiking trails (Ramona can give you many tips).
In the evening we always had a delicious meal. Ramona allowed us to experiment in her amazingly equiped kitchen which was nice after such a long time of travelling. But she is also a great cook herself!
Another highlight was the family dinner each Sunday. Her son Jeremy and his wife Jessy have two super cute little boys who made us laugh so many times.
Jeremy has his gin destillery on the same property and you will meet him also almost every day. By the way: their gin is absolutly the best we ever tried!
On Saturday Ramona sells the gin at the Duncan Farmers market which is also a nice place to walk around.
Ramona and her family are wonderful and inspiring but also hard working people. We wish them all the best for the future!Hope to see you again,
Betti & RichiYou can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by Workawayer (KajaGermany) for host
Excellent, all-round, well organized workaway for everybody who enjoys harvesting, gardening and spending time in nature! Ramona, Steven, the whole family is super welcoming and fun to talk to. Lots to see and learn from their various, organic vegetable patches, the distillery and the family’s general, impressing DIY attitude. During my time at
… read more their place I had very tasty, self grown food together with the family, experienced different markets, went to the beautiful river swimming spot after work or enjoyed some quiet time in the tiny house... everything just perfect! :ok_hand_tone2:You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by Workawayer (Alexander) for host
Probably the best first workaway experience I could have asked for.
I spent one month on Ramona's and Stephen's organic farm in June and had a really great time. Could have easily stayed the whole summer. They had a lot of different projects (weeding, mulching, setting up a bird protection system in the blueberries, painting, some carpentering,
… read more bottling in the distillery,...) going on during that time and I definitely learned a lot from both of them. The workdays were very divers and I was usually done by 3pm, unless I wanted to finish of with a project and kept going for a little longer.
The meals they provided were amazing, with lots of fresh vegetables from their garden or products from the area.
I stayed in their lovely little cabin, which is located in the garden a couple of steps away from their house. You got your own private space and a comfy bed. I loved this little tiny house.
Thank you so much again Ramona and Stephen for letting me be part of the family and showing me so many things on your farm and on the Island. I hope the tayberries are doing better now.
See you in Austria one day!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by Workawayer (Isabel Leontina) for host
I spent 3 weeks at Ramona’s and Stephen’s place and enjoyed every minute of it! They are both incredibly warm and welcoming and the farm/garden is like a piece of paradise. The accommodation is excellent! I stayed in a tiny cabin with a huge and comfy bed set in an herb garden. There I would have breakfast on my own with the food/coffee & tea they
… read more provided. Ramona loves nature and takes great care of her lovely garden and greenhouse full of veggies, flowers and herbs. She is very clear (but still flexible) with what she needs done around the house and farm. I was very happy about the fact that I knew exactly what she expected from me every day! Working hours normally are from 9 – 12:30/1 followed by another 2 to 3 hours after a relaxed lunch break with the whole family. They are all incredibly hard workers and Ramona definitely likes to finish projects. I was looking forward to be active, so I really enjoyed working outside and I didn’t mind to stay in the garden and greenhouse a bit longer than 5 hours on some days. I planted a variety of different vegetables and herbs, did a lot of weeding (a meditative task that I personally really like), cleaned the floor in the house three times and helped out in the distillery for one day. In the evening I usually had dinner together with Ramona and Stephen and helped them with a quick clean up afterwards. Stephen’s cooking is absolutely amazing and he always took the time to share his thoughts and knowledge about farming and food with me.
If you’ve had enough of the often hectic, stressful and loud city life… if you are looking for a peaceful place surrounded by incredible nature… if you love to be and work outside and if you’re a foodie – then that’s the place to be! And their gin is amazing too!
I can highly recommend staying with Ramona and Stephen!
Thank you so much for this wonderful time I could spend on your beautiful property!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by Workawayer (AgneMich) for host
We spent 3 weeks at Ramona’s farm and since the day we arrived we felt like home. Ramona, Stephen, Jeremy and Jessi are an amazing family. We considered them the most Italian people we have ever met in Canada, this means great food and great company! The time just flew and there are not enough world to thank them! Work-wise we mostly helped Ramona
… read more in the farm and at the Farmers Marker. One or two days per week are dedicated to help Jeremy and Jessi at the distillery, which we loved. Volunteers have their own cabin to sleep, the most comfortable bed we have ever had. The place is private and very cozy. Ramona and Stephen are just fantastic, their food and their gin is incredible. We will never forget THAT Panzanella salad. Miss you already! CiaoYou can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by Workawayer (Andrea) for host
Hi Ramona and Stephen, thanks you so much for the stay,even if it was so short, the farm and the area round it is very nice, as for the food, oh my! Love the times that we were able to cook together, there is nothing better than eating fresh, that and loved that we were able to make freesh tortillas, but you have almost all the ingredients needed
… read more for mexican food, keep the good work and good look with all your proyects with the distillery and farm keep your selfs in good health, hope to see you any other time, AndreaYou can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by Workawayer (Martin & Emma) for host
We stayed with Ramona and Stephen for three weeks, in this time we helped in the garden weeding and spring planting, Lawn mowing and weed eating in the orchard and in the berry fields. We also spent a small amount of time in the distillery, helping move and bottle stock. Ramona and Stephen were wonderful hosts and they made us feel very at home.
… read more We ate like kings and particularly loved Stephens passion for food and Ramanoa's love for flowers and her amazing vegetable garden. The farm/distillery/where you will stay, is located near an awesome swimming river which is great for a post work summer swim. Duncan town is a 5 minute drive or 20 minute bike ride away, or public transport is available. We had an amazing time here and wish we didn't have so much of Canada to see so we could have stay longer.You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
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