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Min stay requested: at least a week
Details
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Description
We live in a peaceful area in the highlands of Michoacán, Mexico, supporting a small regenerative farm and community space surrounded by forest. The property combines gardening, tree care, natural building, caring for animals, and general farm maintenance; giving volunteers a chance to connect with the land and learn practical skills for rural living.
The community is on a 70-hectare property divided into 13 sustainable off-grid plots. Currently, three families live here, with more homes completed and families gradually moving in. Several charming, climate-adaptive adobe houses are built, with others in progress. The larger community project often employs one to three local workers who specialize in building the traditional adobe houses. The forest is full of native plants and wildlife — armadillos, coyotes, rabbits, raccoons, skunks, eagles, and many small birds. In the evenings, crickets fill the air, and tall oaks host seasonal orchids.
What we love most about this place is the feeling of being immersed in nature and away from the noise and pace of city life. The forest, the wildlife, the enormous night sky, and the changing seasons are part of everyday life here. For people who enjoy being outdoors, living simply, and learning by doing, there is something special about waking up each day surrounded by land, animals, and the people who are building this community together.
Prior to 2020, the main house ran a small farm supplying organic vegetables to the restaurants. Today, two greenhouses and outdoor garden areas provide hands-on learning in gardening and small-scale food production.
A special part of the project is the ongoing construction of traditional adobe homes. Workawayers can participate in different stages of natural building, from preparing materials to seeing these beautiful, climate-adaptive houses come together.
Workawayers have the opportunity, depending on the season, to live and work alongside two families. One is a Mexican couple and their two adult children, and I am a Canadian who lives on my own property further up the hill. Both family homes share the land with farm dogs, cats, and chickens.
At the heart of the project is a vision to develop the land in harmony with nature through gardens, trees, animals, and simple rural living. We welcome curious, self-motivated volunteers who want to experience everyday life on a working property while contributing to the ongoing development of the land.
Nearby Activities & Experiences (Mexican Family Ranch side):
At the Mexican family ranch, volunteers can participate in horse care and possibly riding, and immerse themselves in Spanish language practice. The surrounding area is a ranching community, producing much of the region’s meat, so you’ll have the chance to explore rich regional cuisine, learn about natural cultivation, and discover how local ingredients are grown and used. Star-gazing and nighttime nature observation are spectacular here because the ranch sits on the side of a hill in a valley basin, creating an enormous night sky. -
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Light gardening
Creative DIY projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Help around the house
Light maintenance
House & pet sitting
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Interests
Politics / Social justice
Self development
Pets
Farming
Writing
Plant care
Languages
Gardening
Carpentry
Cooking & food
DIY & crafts
Books
Animals
Winter sports
Water sports
Outdoor activities
Hiking
Adventure sports
Cycling
Mountain
Sailing / Boating
Yoga / Wellness
Nature
Fitness
Camping
Beach -
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
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Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Workawayers have the opportunity, depending on the season, to live and work alongside two families. One is a Mexican couple and their two adult children, and I am a Canadian who lives on my own property further up the hill. Both family homes share the land with farm dogs, cats, and chickens. Speaking for myself, as a Canadian, I very much enjoy sharing life experiences, playing cards and other games in the evening, and sharing my love for nature and animals.
Cultural trips nearby include Pátzcuaro — famous for Day of the Dead in November — and Morelia, which offers a wide range of restaurants and cultural experiences. Occasional short trips to beaches such as Troncones, Zihuatanejo, and Ixtapa provide opportunities for surfing, bodyboarding, and relaxing by the sea. There is also an expat community in Pátzcuaro with regular monthly meetups, so volunteers can see how others live and connect with people in the area. -
Help
A typical day begins with a relaxed breakfast before heading out for the morning’s shared projects: natural building, organic gardening, and general maintenance of the property. Work varies with the season and the land’s needs. Volunteers may plant, weed, mulch, and harvest vegetables in the gardens, care for orchard and forest trees, or participate in forest stewardship activities such as trail building, clearing brush, gathering firewood, and restoring native habitat. Small building or maintenance projects — light carpentry, fence repairs, or work on property structures — are often underway as well.
Volunteers also have the opportunity to participate in constructing traditional adobe homes, gaining hands-on experience with time-honored techniques under the guidance of master builders. Depending on the season, activities may include food preservation (fermenting, drying, freezing, or canning), composting, seed saving, and general farm chores.
Most days include about 4–5 hours of shared work, typically in the morning and early afternoon (adjusted for heat), five days per week, leaving two full days to relax, explore the forest, or enjoy the surrounding area.
Every day of the work week is slightly different — some tasks are more physical, others more creative — but the goal is always the same: working with nature while learning the skills of sustainable, off-grid living. This program is ideal for volunteers who enjoy hands-on outdoor work, connecting with nature, and experiencing life in a traditional Mexican community. -
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
Japanese: Intermediate
Maori: Beginner
Portuguese: Beginner
Thai: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
I’m currently in my 3rd year of learning Mexican Spanish and enjoy the process very much. Having lived in Japan, Brazil, Thailand, and New Zealand, I’ve experienced firsthand how much immersion can help when learning a language. I enjoy sharing what I’ve learned about the process and helping others feel more comfortable practicing and communicating. -
Accommodation
Workawayers will be hosted inside one of two large homes on the property. Each volunteer has a comfortable bed, private space, and access to amenities. Both houses have two bathrooms, allowing for shared living while maintaining personal privacy. Because we host only a small number of volunteers at a time, the environment is relaxed, respectful, and welcoming. Evenings often wind down quietly, offering time to relax, read, enjoy the surrounding countryside, or catch up online with reliable internet available in both houses.
Meals:
Meals are usually prepared and shared together, reflecting local cuisine in the Mexican-style house and a wide range of foods in the Canadian-style home. Volunteers are welcome to help plan and prepare meals, which is also a time to share stories, cultures, and experiences around the table. We typically shop for groceries about once every two weeks and accommodate dietary preferences.
We appreciate volunteers who enjoy communal living, are comfortable sharing spaces, and are happy to contribute to daily life, including helping with meals and keeping shared areas tidy. -
What else ...
Hobbies & Nearby Activities:
In addition to managing the house and garden work, I enjoy hiking, yoga, exercise, meditation, Spanish study, and my online work. I am actively training my two young, active farm dogs. Although they are full of energy sometimes, they also love to cuddle up on the couch with anyone who’s willing. I also enjoy spending time around campfires and having fun playing board games and cards.
Because we live directly in the forest, surrounded by wildlife and with dogs and cats in the house, keeping shared spaces clean is especially important. We appreciate everyone pitching in with simple daily household tasks such as sweeping or vacuuming, shaking out blankets, caring for the chicken coop, and washing dishes each evening. Sharing these small responsibilities helps keep the home comfortable and enjoyable for everyone.
The nearest town is about a 20-minute drive away, so we generally go into town when needed rather than making frequent trips. We usually make a larger trip to Morelia or Pátzcuaro about once every two weeks, which is also when we stock up on groceries and other supplies.
Additional Note on Families with Children:
I am happy to host families with children, drawing on my experience as a Montessori and Waldorf teacher in Canada. This ensures that young visitors can enjoy their stay safely while engaging with the farm and surroundings. -
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
Digital nomads should have plenty of time each day to work on their own projects. Based on the experience of previous volunteers, the daily schedule leaves sufficient time for a substantial amount of personal work alongside helping with the property. We have Starlink, so the internet connection is fast and reliable, making it easy to work online from either house.
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Space for parking camper vans
There is a large, level parking pad on the property that can accommodate a camper or campervan. Larger motorhomes may not be suitable due to the access road and the rural, mountainous setting, so please check with us about the size of your vehicle before arriving.
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Can possibly accept pets
As a pet lover myself, I would like to be open to welcoming Workawayers who are traveling with their animals. However, because there are already dogs and cats living in the homes, any stay with a pet would need to be discussed by phone beforehand to make sure it is a good fit for everyone. Animals can need time to adjust to a new environment and to each other, and while my two dogs are friendly once properly introduced, I know from my own experience with dog training that not all dogs find it easy to live together. A little planning and a careful introduction can make all the difference.
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How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
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My animals / pets
Bibi
Puppy (3 years)
Street dog mix
Estella (2 years)
Belgian Malinois female
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