Learn about regenerative non-profit farming with a small family on San Juan Island, Washington, USA

Details

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  Description

  We are a family of three on San Juan Island, Washington State. Our family is composed of a Father; Professional Wetland Scientist with a Master of Landscape Architecture, a Mother; Tour Guide, Flower Farmer with a degree in Finance, and the center of our world is our daughter born on the first day of Spring. Together we operate a bicycle tour business, a small family flower farm (on a separate property in Friday Harbor), work in environmental consulting, marketing, and design.
  
  We are lifestyle driven and plan to share our skills and interests with travelers of diverse backgrounds. Our land on San Juan Island was part of a historic homestead and we are breathing life back into the land. With our vision leading us to regenerative land management, growing perennial crops, and trees for ecological restoration.
  
  Last year we renovated the 100 year old house and planted a hazelnut orchard. We weave the homestead approach toward land management with our own vision of sustainability using permaculture design as our guide. Thinking about the movement of water, nutrients, critters, and our own path toward balance. Our project scope for 2022 is to work on land based projects to enrich the soil, grow food, medicinal herbs, and flowers for our family. We have a vision to have sheep and alpaca but first we need to improve fencing, field, and fodder. We are pursuing our plan but also enjoy getting out into nature to enjoy biking, paddling, and wandering so a workaway guest or three would be a great addition to our efforts in both work and play. To assist with projects and add the human element to our larger goal of creating a place for community. We will be living and helping alongside Workawayers.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Farmstay help

  General 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

  Regenerative farming practices and principles rooted in Permaculture ethics (People Care, Fair Share and Earth Care). General carpentry, metal work, natural building. Learn English, Lao, and Thai languages. Natural healing and health with Traditional Chinese Herbalism.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  Creating a place for creativity and healing. We strive to provide a balance of work/ life ambition with project work (gardening, building, maintaining the land) complimenting personal projects. Our primary focus is regenerative land management, growing perennial crops, and trees.
  
  Since we are still in the early phase of our regenerative land management efforts there is a mixture of projects from construction (high tunnels/ raised beds/ irrigation systems) to planting (perennial, annual gardens, and agroforestry), and maintaining (watering, weeding, fencing). We also have our vision list of tasks that include building a tree net/ house, forest trails, a bath house, an outdoor kitchen, and maybe even a tiny house.
  
  Regenerative land management help will be blended with personal interests that may include artistic installations with wood, metal, and earth. Learning English, Lao, and Thai languages. Most importantly we would like to create a space for open communication, learning, and adventure. Our project is completely non-profit and no produce will be sold.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Lao: Fluent
  Thai: Fluent
  Spanish: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  We can offer English, Lao, and Thai language instruction. We are interested in learning Spanish and Mandarin.
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  Accommodation

  Spring: shared farmhouse with other volunteers.
  Summer (May-Sept.): self contained camper or A-frame shelter.
  Fall/ Winter: shared farmhouse with other volunteers.

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  What else ...

  The San Juan Islands in the Pacific Northwest are an adventurers jewel to explore by bike, kayak, paddleboard, and foot. We have all of the equipment needed to enhance the local sights. We also have a vehicle for volunteers to share. Join a birding group, run the trails, cycle the quiet backroads, paddle miles of shoreline, explore trails, beaches, and coves, or mediate in peaceful forests.

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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

  We have fiber internet in the farm house and working on expanding fiber to other locations on the property to allow self contained digital nomads.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  We have several locations suitable for camper vans.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  Well behaved and cared for pets are welcome.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week