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Host rating
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Last replied
6 Aug 2024
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Description
***We Are Booked For The Remainder Of The Season***
Hello! We are a forested farm located on Vancouver Island in BC Canada.
We are a large family farm growing food and learning to live with nature in harmony. We do not grow for market but for self sufficiency and connectedness to nature.
We are a dynamic group and engage in many activities such as cooking, musical jams fireside, kayaking, climbing and nature walks. Some among us are practitioners, meditation guides, counsellors / coaches. There is a collective interest in personal health, wellbeing, and spiritual development. (Unfortunately no fires till the fall due to forest fire risks)
We mostly eat a plant based diet, that is both delicious and nutritious.
The Farmers Market and Diner down the rd. offers delicious items for your cravings and treats.
We are looking for folks that are self motivated and self reliant, we will supply your accommodations and food for making all of your meals. We do not supply meat or dairy except for eggs from our chickens. (Read our profile for more detailed information)
We have 2 bicycles for your use and the occasional car ride when needed.
***What works best for booking dates with us is to arrive on a Sunday and depart on a Saturday***
That way it gives you time to settle in and a chance for us to wash bedding etc.
*We have a 2 week minimum but prefer longer stays*Types of help and learning opportunities
Art ProjectsHelp with Eco ProjectsGardeningDIY and building projectsAnimal CareFarmstay helpCreating/ Cooking family mealsHelp around the houseGeneral MaintenanceUN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We live in an area called the Cowichan Valley, which is lush with mountains, rivers, lakes and waterfalls. Spring, Summer and Fall are the best times but winters are quite mild and enjoyable. You can learn about wild plant medicine and wild food plus growing food and making delicious plant based meals.
We are all very knowledgeable about natural health and wellness, using herbs and food as medicine. With some occasional juicing and intermittent fasting.Help
We need help with the daily chores of the farm such as: helping in the gardens, orchards and tending the chickens - small watering, weeding, planting, perhaps some grass mowing, hedge trimming and collecting eggs.
We would like help with small building & repair projects. Each day and week will differ but some things will need to be done regularly - it’s all in flow with nature!
New projects this season will be building another Hügelkultur bed for growing in (I invite you to look this up)
Water catchment and establishing garden bed protection against evaporation and erosionLanguages
Languages spoken
English: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
We understand a wee bit of French, German and Spanish but would love to expand on those and any other languages. We admire people that speak more than 1 language.Accommodation
#1 The Caravan is a built-in converted extended camper, completely covered with a roof and surround deck. It is located in a wonderful forest serenaded by the sounds of the rushing creeks
The Caravan includes: Queen size sleeping platform a small fridge, propane stove, clothes closet, storage cubbies and a small kitchen sink with only cold water. It is outfitted with all your cooking tools including fixings for breakfast and lunch.
***Summer Only***
#2 Gypsy summer cabin located in the forest with a double bed, big comfy chair, a small sitting table and shelf for personal belongings. Space underneath bed to store suitcases etc.
***Summer Only***
#3 The rustic open air kitchen cabin is outfitted with all your cooking tools including fixings for breakfast and lunch. Fridge, freezer cupboards and large dining table. Cold water only
There are 2 outhouses close by. The shower is located in the Farmhouse and there are laundry facilities.
Dinner will be a combination of just with me, sometimes a family potluck or on your own. Your kitchen will be supplied with dinner fixins for your weekends off and for evenings that we don’t do a group meal.
***plant based meals and supplies***What else ...
There is so much to see just walking out of our driveway, bike to the waterfall or walk to the nearby farmers market with deli and diner. The ferry terminal to go to Saltspring Island is very close, we’d be happy to drop you off and pick you up. Search the Cowichan Valley and you will find many wonderful sites to see and events to attend. We are not on a bus route but will provide bicycles and the occasional lift into town (Duncan or Chemainus).
***Getting to Vancouver Island***
There are various ways to get here on Vancouver Island, one way is to take a BCFerry to arrive at the Duke Point Terminal in Nanaimo, I can pick you up from there. Catch the ferry from Twsaassen Terminal to Duke Point Terminal.
Or fly over on a small plane “Harbour Air” and arrive in Maple Bay for me to pick you up.
If you take the ferry I can only pick you up from the Duke Point Terminal, the other Nanaimo ferry is too far for me to drive. There might be a bus from there to Chemainus, where we live and I can pick you up there or pick up in Duncan.A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (7)
They have excellent work ethic and are so kind and peaceful!
They came for 2 weeks when we really needed help and worked on their own a lot, the blueberries and garden beds are very happy now !
Thank you !
I can highly recommend to everyone to visit this beautiful farm with its beautiful people! We are going to miss them...
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Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(4.4)
Communication:
(4.7)
They have excellent work ethic and are so kind and peaceful!
They came for 2 weeks when we really needed help and worked on their own a lot, the blueberries and garden beds are very happy now !
Thank you !
I can highly recommend to everyone to visit this beautiful farm with its beautiful people! We are going to miss them...
Their positive energy and curiosity made it a joyful experience for us and they quickly became like family.
Their sense of humour was playful and uplifting, making each day more lighthearted.
Any host would be lucky to have them, they are hard working and in… read more
First of all we arrived pretty late in the season, it was harvest time, so I would like to take the chance to thank all the previous workawayers, for their great job ! we really appreciate to taste all the delicious fruits and vegetables of this season !
The spot is really nice, the farm is surrounded by… read more
We highly recommend Maile, you would be lucky to have her help !
Safe Travels !
K
If you’re not use to working outside, farm work can feel hard but is great exercise, makes you strong and healthy !
I’m glad you enjoyed the food, I put a lot of love and gratitude into it.
Safe Travels !
There are a number of different characters on the farm and it was a pleasure to meet and get to know them all.
Thanks again!
They are fun and energetic, every task they endeavoured was done very well with an eye for details !
They are a little modest about they’re amazing skills and knowledge.
We found them to be excellent at self directed chores.
You’d be lucky to have them… read more
I recommend them highly as helpers !
Karla (Host)