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Host is looking for help immediately
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
13 Apr 2024
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100.0 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
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Details
Description
***We are currently only hosting couples or travel partners. Please message for consideration and if you have no or limited Workaway Feedback yet please include some social media references on both candidates for review. We are looking for careful and thorough workers (coffee picking and processing) through July when 100% of the work will be coffee related. Feel free to message us to introduce yourselves.***
Our property is small-scale one hectare family owned and operated specialty coffee hobby farm located at an ideal altitude of 1675m/5500ft in La Carolina Parish in northern Imbabura Province. Imbabura was the recently approved as a World Geopark by UNSECO. The farm sits along the banks of the cascading Cascajal River on the Western Andean Slope in a cloud forest climate. Visitors will enjoy the soothing sound of the mountain river and waterfall for every minute of their stay.
The coffee is mainly sold to the North American and European expat community in the Cotacachi. We are a family of four and our children are 17 and 18. Please note that though we are just off the main road this is fairly remote farm with all basic services including WiFi but no cellular signal. We now live at the farm full time so will be there with you to assist in coffee training and other projects.
This is an ideal situation if you are looking for an opportunity that offers working in a tranquil retreat close to nature and learning all about the washed coffee process. If you don't have Host Feedback on you profile yet please send us some social media references from FB, IG, Twitter, LinkedIn to help us make a determination when you message us.
Please message with questions!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Learn the complete coffee process from pick to cup while tackling coffee and farm maintenance tasks. You will learn all about the coffee process even if its off harvest season and get a first hand experience of everything that goes into a cup of cafe.
Purchase raw milk from local and small scale dairy farmers that pass by the property every morning. Recommended to boil prior to consumption and make your own butter from the milk fat.
As a former Peace Corps volunteer we value the opportunity to give back and exchange customs and ideas with local communities. Spending time at the Finca is a great way to immerse oneself and learn agricultural tips from the locals as well as teach them about where you come from.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Wide range of coffee farm activities including harvesting and post harvest processing of beans and general farm maintenance activities including weed control, trail upkeep, garden maintenance etc. We also have unlimited ongoing construction and improvement projects that we need help with so carpentry and building skills are a plus especially during off-harvest months.
Our peak harvest season runs March-July.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
Portuguese: Fluent
Accommodation
This is a remote farm that is right off a secondary road 10.5 km from the closest pavement. There is a 1BR farm cabin that offers electricity, WiFi, running water, toilet & electric hot shower, washing machine, dryer, gas stove for cooking, full size fridge and full kitchen utensils. We can comfortably accommodate up to 4 volunteers during peak harvest (April-July) or 1-2 during off season. The cabin is set up with 1 full and 2 twin beds with optional netting to keep insects off you while you rest. Night insects are mostly moths and we seldom see mosquitos at 1650m but this is a subtropical cloud forest climate so there are many more bugs than in the highlands and as in most of Ecuador we have the no see um sand fleas that can bite during the daytime. Lightweight long sleeves are recommended for daytime and light jackets or rain gear at night.
There is a covered porch on the house which has an outdoor sink and counter space with running water making for a great place to lay in hammocks after a day of working . A 2-5 minute, 75-100 meter, uphill walk (130 steps) is required to reach the house from the parking area. All supplies, project materials, food and harvested coffee must be brought up to the cabin.
The climate is subtropical cloud forest so fog and damp conditions can roll in on you at anytime even during the driest months of July thru Sept and especially wetter months of Oct-June. The mornings and early afternoons are typically warm and sunny with clouds rolling in during the later afternoon. The evenings and night can be quite chilly so you will want a fleece type layer and or rain gear at night and sunrise.
Rubber boots are recommended and we keep common sizes at the cabin but if you prefer your own or if we don't have your size they should be purchased prior your arrival.
This is a great situation if you can handle 'glamping' (glamorous camping) conditions, don't mind working independently and love spending time in nature. There are an abundance of beautiful western slope Choco birds to admire and exotic insects will visit you at night being attracted to the shack's lighting. If you have a fear of insects or getting your hands dirty this probably isn't the ideal match for you.
FOOD: We provide potatoes, rice, pasta, bread, eggs, an abundance of fruits/veggies, filtered drinking water and of course roasted coffee from the farm (if in season). This will be delivered at the beginning of the stay and replenished as needed. We also provide basic cooking supplies and seasonings but if you want meat, cheese, olive oil, alcohol, sweets or specialty items/seasonings you will need to purchase and bring those. You can also enjoy an abundance of limes and bananas/plantains usually available for harvest right on the farm.
We have a 1100 liter reserve tank of water that is harvested off a pristine mountain stream which is used for all your needs.
The farm is located on the road from San Geronimo to Buenos Aires in Imbabura Province. San Geronimo is accessed on the road from Ibarra to Lita/San Lorenzo. The climate is very similar to that of mountains around Mindo, Pacto, Nangalito or anywhere on the slopes at 1600-1700m. You can find the road on Google Maps by searching Hosteria San Geronimo and looking for the secondary road that goes south from there. Public transport from Ibarra passes 50m from the farm's entrance.
What else ...
This is an ideal area for those who enjoy being in nature, bird watching or taking exploratory hikes with breathtaking views. The property features 100 meters of uncontaminated mountain stream and a 4m high waterfall so you are guaranteed to hear the soothing sound of rapids throughout the stay and even bathe in the river for those who like a refreshing dip on a warm day. Bus service is available on the main road two times per day in each direction and hitchhiking opportunities are possible but limited. It is 10.9 Km to the paved road where buses pass every 15 minutes to the closest major city of Ibarra. The small communities of Corazon de Guadual and San Geronimo are 5k down the road where you can purchase basic supplies.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
The wifi is via satellite signal but is strong enough to handle phone calls via VoIP and video conferencing as long as others aren't streaming videos.
Space for parking camper vans
We have ample parking for any sized overland van or vehicle. The space is mostly shade and currently uncovered but building a carport is a potential improvement project for future volunteers.
Can possibly accept pets
Dogs preferred. We ask any volunteer with a dog(s) to overnight them outside and do not let inside the cabin or porch are as we have dander allergies. We can provide a kennel.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Peak season March-July- 5 hrs / 5 days a week. Low season 2-5 hrs, 5 days/week.
Feedback (37)
Bill and Jessica are so easy-going, friendly and welcoming. The days pass by too fast. From the picking, to grinding, sorting, washing and drying, all the steps are made within one day at a small scale... such an experience. And all this in an amazingly remote valley, living in a paradisiac small wooden house for yourselves.
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(5.0)
Bill and Jessica are so easy-going, friendly and welcoming. The days pass by too fast. From the picking, to grinding, sorting, washing and drying, all the steps are made within one day at a small scale... such an experience. And all this in an amazingly remote valley, living in a paradisiac small wooden house for yourselves.
It's really just a paradise, the Finca is surrounded by beautiful nature. The cabin is cozy and includes a nice kitchen as well as your own bathroom/shower. Bill & Jessica are really welcoming and nice, and they spoiled us with many fresh… read more
Communication before our stay was brilliant, with recommendations for places to visit in Ecuador before arriving at the farm. During the Workaway, having our own space in the fully-equipped cabin was really appreciated, and the peace and quiet was a really nice contrast… read more
Everything was arranged professionally and organisation of work was excellent. We were extremely glad to be given this opportunity to learn about growing, harvesting and processing… read more
Communication pre arrival was great and super helpful, Bill assisted with our arrival to the farm and even gave us great recommendations for things to do in local areas prior to our arrival.
The work was fun, fair and as described! We were able to learn about the full… read more
Although it was strictly not the right season for coffee, we were able to learn picking techniques, separating beans from cherries and the… read more
I learned a lot from William about the processing of coffee beans from the picking to the drying! It was so much giving to work here!!
Thank you William and Yessica… read more
William… read more
This is a place where you can learn a lot, eat healthy, turn off your phone and connect with the people and the nature around you. The time we spent at the finca was an amazing experience. We tried to contact William in last minute and he quickly respond and accept us! Communication with him was excellent and… read more
William was helpful in every way possible and kept us extremely well stocked during our time there.
This was really the perfect environment for a work exchange. We thoroughly enjoyed the chance to do some carpentry and felt like the work was valued. He gave us a lot… read more
I stayed at the farm alone and I had plenty of time to myself to just appreciate my surroundings and it was a great escape from busy hostels. The work was easy… read more
La casa es hermosa, et se puede ver muchas variedades de… read more
You are deep in the mountains, there is a fantastic view from the house !
Don Billy made us confortable as soon as we arrived, he is very generous. We met as well Don Guido, a very nice guy who lives in the mountains, he knows all about the plants, animals, trek, it is so… read more
