Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
23 May 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
35
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
Hi, We're Marlene and Peter Lewis. We have a lovely 69 acre farm nestled in the valley in Cedar on Vancouver Island. We're located 20 minutes south of Nanaimo, 5 minutes from the Nanaimo airport and 15 min from the Duke Point ferry terminal.
We're growing mostly vegetables and some flowers, and we have about 100 laying hens. We're also growing 5 acres of Empress Splendour trees. These trees are a source of sustainable lumber and the leaves are an excellent source of carbon draw-down.
At a few times each year, people have their weddings or other events here and this already beautiful farm is beautified even more!
We are close to the ocean, many rivers, lakes, streams, mountains, provincial and regional parks. There are endless spectacular outdoor activities right here at our door step.
We're looking for help with ongoing tasks on the farm with our laying hens, produce and trees as the seasons require. We have travelled a lot in our lives and understand the needs of travellers and backpackers. We love to encourage travelling and support people who love to travel and explore the world.
We can accommodate 1 or 2 single travellers or a couple with your own large bedrooms in our lovely farmhouse.
We are looking for non-smoking Workawayers and don't accept any kind of drug use.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
Farmstay help
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We are experienced travellers who have travelled much of Canada and numerous other countries and continents in the world. We're happy to provide tips of fabulous sites and experiences for travellers. Peter is a professional photographer who is happy to give photography tips and support to those who share the same passion. Most of the photographs on our website (empressacres.ca) were taken by him.
Help
The work varies a lot with the season. Currently, we're looking after the appox 100 laying hens and 1 happy rooster, collecting and washing eggs, feeding the chickens. cleaning their chicken house, clearing up things still left from the earlier farming season and laying down silage tarps to prepare the fields for the new growing season. In the spring, we'll start seeding for the growing season and laying out irrigation. During the summer, we'll be watering the crops, planting new crops, weeding the produce gardens, spreading mulch, mowing lawn, harvesting crops, pickling cucumbers, selling farm products, preparing the farm to host a few weddings and other events and generally looking after things as tasks and opportunities arise. We would love to have people here who are interested in learning about and contribute to our beautiful farm. We're happy to teach and provide support to those coming here and be part of our life. We are happy to encourage people to work on their own time schedule.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
You'll have your own large bedroom and bathroom with tub and shower on the upper floor in a large farmhouse on 69 acres of farmland with fields and trees. If both upper floor bedrooms are being used, you'll be sharing the bathroom. Peter and I live on the main floor and have our own ensuite bathroom. There is a large kitchen and dining area to make meals and share dinners together. We work from home and would like everyone to respect one another's time.
What else ...
If you love nature and being outdoors, you couldn't find yourself in a more perfect location. Hiking, fishing, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, cycling, walking, photography...there is so much to explore and discover all around the area. If you need transportation, we can help make arrangements for that.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have reliable wi-fi around much of the farm.
Space for parking camper vans
We have space on the farm to park your campervan and possibly a motorhome.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Feedback (16)
Photos
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
They are so generous, always appreciate the help and laugh a lot.
Thank you so so much for giving me support and a good memory. Thank you for sharing the beautiful farm, nature and culture.
I did all the "work" with my heart because can always feel… read more
Marlene and Peter were exceptionally generous—Marlene prepared delicious dinners, the fridge was always well-stocked, and they made sure I had everything I… read more
During this time I helped Simon and the others with the daily work. For example, washing eggs, sowing seeds, harvesting flowers or greens, ect. On the weekends we went to the markets and sold the fresh produce.
Marlene always made sure I had everything I needed.
I had a really good time there,… read more
Cooking with all the fresh vegtables and… read more
