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Min stay requested: 1 month or more
Details
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Description
A developing flower farm, wildlife-filled land, and a family story in motion, welcoming volunteers to help build it from the ground up. My name is Val, and together with my 10-year-old daughter Maya, I am building a flower farm and creative homestead in beautiful rural Ontario, Canada.
I was born in Cuba and speak both Spanish and English. Throughout my life I have loved flowers, art, music, dance, nature, design, and creating memorable experiences for people. Before starting this project, I worked in event and wedding planning, and many of those creative passions are now finding a new home on the farm.
Maya is a bright and wonderful autistic child who keeps life interesting, adventurous, and full of surprises. Alongside us are our beloved animals, including our dog Dony and our cat Lucy, who are always happy to welcome visitors.
Our farm is a peaceful 10-acre property that is still in its early stages of development. We are creating flower-growing areas, garden beds, tunnels, landscaping projects, and many future ideas that will continue to evolve over the coming years. It is exciting because volunteers become part of the story and can see the difference their work makes.
The flower farm is currently a personal project and future goal rather than an operating business. There are no employees, no commercial flower sales, and no active flower production at this time.
One of the things we love most about this place is the wildlife. We regularly see many species of birds and wild animals. We have a heart-shaped pond with fish, and every year painted turtles return to lay their eggs on the property. There is always something beautiful happening in nature, whether it is a colorful sunset, birds singing in the morning, or flowers beginning to bloom.
The property includes a barn, a silo, sheds, open green spaces, flower fields in development, and plenty of room to enjoy the outdoors. It is a wonderful place for people who enjoy nature, photography, gardening, farming, and peaceful country living.
We are located near the friendly town of Smithville, Ontario. During the summer months, the surrounding Niagara region becomes one of the most visited areas in Canada, with wineries, festivals, farmers' markets, conservation areas, beaches, hiking trails, and many attractions to explore. Smithville is also known for its welcoming small-town atmosphere and community events, including popular line dancing gatherings.
Life here is simple, real, and connected to nature. Some days involve physical outdoor work, while others offer opportunities to be creative, learn new skills, enjoy the countryside, or simply share stories over a meal.
We welcome kind, respectful, positive people who enjoy meaningful projects, open spaces, cultural exchange, and helping build something beautiful from the ground up. Whether your interests are flower farming, gardening, photography, nature, construction projects, or simply learning a different way of life, we hope you will feel at home here.
We look forward to meeting you and sharing this adventure together. -
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Light gardening
Creative DIY projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
Help with Computers/ Internet
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Interests
Carpentry
Blogging
Writing
Culture
Movies & TV
Self development
Fashion or beauty
Pets
Sustainability
Technology
Videography
Events & social
Photography
Art & design
Books
DIY & crafts
History
Music
Cooking & food
Languages
Gardening
Outdoor activities
Dancing
Beach
Nature
Animals
Plant care
Farming -
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
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Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Cultural exchange and learning
For us, hosting Workawayers is not only about help on the farm, it is about sharing life, culture, and experiences in a meaningful and human way.
We love meeting people from different countries and backgrounds, and we enjoy the natural exchange that happens when people live, work, and share daily life together. Our home is relaxed, multicultural, and full of conversation, music, and creativity.
As part of life here, Workawayers will share meals with us, exchange stories, and become part of our daily rhythm. We often enjoy simple moments together such as cooking, listening to music, talking about life, learning new words in different languages, and sharing traditions from our cultures.
I am originally from Cuba, so Spanish and Latin culture are part of our everyday life. Music, dance, and expression are always present in our home, and we love when people bring their own cultural influence to share as well.
We are happy to share knowledge about flower farming, gardening, building garden spaces, working with seasonal plants, organizing outdoor spaces, and creating a homestead from the ground up. I also have experience in event and wedding design, so there is often a creative side to what we do, especially when thinking about flowers, aesthetics, and future projects.
In return, we are very interested in learning from the people who visit us. We love hearing about different countries, farming styles, ways of living, languages, food traditions, and creative ideas. We are especially curious about how people organize life, work with nature, and express creativity in their own cultures.
We hope this is a place where exchange goes both ways, where we teach and share what we know, but also grow through the people who come here. Every volunteer leaves a real mark here, and we also carry something from each person who passes through. -
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
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Help
How can Workawayers help?
As our farm is still in the early stages of development, there are many different ways volunteers can contribute. Every season brings new projects, and no two weeks are exactly the same.
Much of the help involves outdoor and hands-on activities such as building and preparing growing beds, planting flowers and crops, mulching, weeding, watering, harvesting, mowing, landscaping, moving soil, organizing farm materials, and helping improve different areas of the property.
Flower farming is one of our main focuses, so volunteers interested in flowers will have opportunities to learn about growing, caring for, harvesting, and preparing flowers for future projects and events.
There may also be opportunities to assist with greenhouse and tunnel projects, simple construction tasks, painting, property maintenance, and creative projects as the farm continues to grow.
We especially welcome people who enjoy photography, videography, social media, or storytelling. There are many beautiful moments on the farm that deserve to be captured, from flowers and wildlife to sunsets, turtles, birds, and the progress of the farm itself.
Some tasks can be physically demanding and may involve lifting, digging, moving materials, or working outdoors in different weather conditions. A positive attitude, willingness to learn, and flexibility are often more important than previous farming experience.
We are looking for people who enjoy being part of a meaningful project, who are not afraid to get their hands dirty, and who take pride in helping create something beautiful from the ground up.
In return, we are happy to share our knowledge, culture, meals, stories, and the experience of life on a growing flower farm in rural Ontario.
Most importantly, we hope Workawayers will leave knowing they contributed to something real, growing, and meaningful, something that will continue to bloom long after their visit. -
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information. -
Accommodation
Where will Workawayers stay?
We offer a private bedroom in our family home, providing a comfortable and secure place to rest after a day on the farm.
The bathroom is shared with the family, as this is a shared household. We aim to keep the space clean, respectful, and organized so everyone feels comfortable.
Meals are shared with us. Workawayers will eat the same food we eat daily, and we usually enjoy simple homemade meals together. We see mealtimes as a nice opportunity to connect, talk, and share stories from different cultures.
Our home is a welcoming and lived-in space, surrounded by nature and the rhythm of farm life. It is simple, clean, and comfortable, a real family home surrounded by nature.
We ask for mutual respect in shared spaces and appreciate people who are considerate, tidy, and easygoing in a communal living setting. -
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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How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
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My animals / pets
Doni
Photos
