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Host rating
80 %
Last replied
5 Oct 2024
Feedback
93
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Description
We are a fun loving family of five with lots of creative enthusiasm. We love nature, hiking and working with our hands. Just over three years ago we moved to a beautiful 10 acre property just outside of the town of San Luis Obispo, CA. and need help building our vision and maintaining the property.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We are a semi-international family who have travelled quite a bit and enjoy meeting new people and learning about new cultures. . We love reciprocating by sharing a bit of California life and sharing our traditions and love of food with our volunteers. Lorna, the farm visionary, spends her days envisioning and designing projects, organizing volunteers, hiking with her dogs, running bnb and on weekends, helping build projects along side husband Paul, a Physical Therapist, who has his practice in town, enjoying helping people and is passionate about optimizing the body's potential and always learning more! He loves surfing, his guitar and his little green tractor. We have three children, our eldest (the uber creative and aspiring princess Emrys has been living in Scotland for the past 7 years but returns often for a little more California sunshine, she hopes to build a tiny house here on the farm. Our son Isaac, 25 is a true nature boy, surfer, baker and travel adventurist and is always on the verge of leaving the nest, but somehow loves it too much in San Luis Obispo to leave completely. He has moved to town but spends many hours here with us, he can give you all the best nature spots in our area and bakes a mean loaf of sour dough :). Our youngest, Petra is 22 is currently "vanlif-ing" across the States but heading back to the farm this summer. She spends most of her time with her horses and is thrilled to finally have horses (and hopefully soon small goats and sheep) in her backyard!! She is shy and quiet but thrives being around lively people, they might just bring her inner goofy out!). We have an amazing cattle dog who will hang out with you all day, especially if you throw him sticks and frisbees and the cutest ever boston bulldogge. We are NOT religious and although we do not discriminate against anyone who is, we might offend. It happens, Just being transparent there :-) We live in a beautiful coastal town with a lively downtown and many farmers markets. We also live near many wineries, hiking trails and are just a short 4 miles (7 km) to the beach!
Help
We just finished interior barn and various other building projects in Feburary so March/April will be more hole digging for more fencing and a small arena/pen for smaller barn critters. Possible projects may include more random building projects, concrete poursdemo work etc. Planting season in the garden starts in May, so if you are into that please reach out :)
In General:
If building projects are your thing then fall/winter is good timing for you to come volunteer!! Come Springtime, the garden would love someone who is passionate about getting their hands in the dirt and farming organically. Worm bins, composting, hugelkulture etc. Bring in it on!!! During winter months, we pretty much let nature do the work breaking down the thick layer of mulch, although we would like to start planting winter gardens, so much to learn. We generally spend time in the garden creating top soil by adding mounds of mulch. Most of gardening begins in March-June months and harvest August-October. In return for your hard work...we feed you well, accommodations are stellar and we give you time to explore this gorgeous part of California! Come help us homestead!! :)
For the most part, we aways need help with watering trees, watering compost bins, feeding animals, mucking pastures (these are included in morning chores), weeding, wed whacking, mowing, digging holes, general yard/garage/barn construction clean up, brush clearing, mulching, creek restoration, fence building, irrigation, trenching, digging holes, planting trees, trail maintenance, house cleaning and helping in the vegetable garden. And did we say hole digging?? We also would like to build more compost bins, sheds, horse hay shelter and anything else a homesteader might need. So in short, the farm requires a fair amount of manual labor and we love it if you help with a smile :) Any help with cooking or cleaning and washing windows would also be greatly appreciated, as my days can get busy and cleaning house never makes it to the top of my list. Its not always a super organized day but there is always something to do. We like to adjust projects depending on the skills, passions or interests you bring to the table.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
German: Intermediate
Accommodation
We have a sweet little "guest shed" with comfy bed. It shares the outdoor shower with our vintage trailer guests (when we have them). There is a composting toilet for volunteers and an outdoor kitchen for your use. We will provide ingredients for your meals which you will make for yourselves for the most part. We enjoy having some dinners together if it suits everyone. It is expected that you help clean up after meals. ***Please remember this during your stay :)
We eat mostly vegetable based organic food. We love eating good food, cooking together and sharing laughs and stories at the dinner table or the fire pit. We do eat locally sourced meat as well but are happy to accommodate vegetarians :-)
also please note: This is a farm, peaceful and quiet with limited cell and internet. It is quite a distance (10 miles) to get to town and anywhere basically. The beach is only 4 miles away, most workawayers take full advantage of this.
NOTE: A car is needed to get to most places but we offer up bikes for beaches and hiking trails. We are also happy to give you a ride downtown if you wish. If you feel up to it, downtown is a 40 minute bike ride.
NOTE: We use low to no chemicals here on the farm and do NOT allow perfumes, scented laundry detergents or the like. Please be mindful of this while you are here. You are more than welcome to use our laundry soap :)
What else ...
Having a car is helpful! Downtown San Luis Obispo is about 10 miles away, Avila beach is 4 miles away. there are many beautiful hiking trails, wineries to tour, biking routes, waves to surf and many beautiful beaches to enjoy. We live in a very "outdoorsy" community and value its small town charms and outdoor living. We will have bikes available to ride and happy to give lifts into town on occasion. We are clean and tidy and respectful of others and our environment, we hope to have those attributes in our guests. We work hard and also value down time.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
We are happy to host volunteers with campers or small RV's. Nothing too big! We have electric for plug in and use of outdoor shower and composting toilets.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Host ref number: 761321173366
Feedback (46)
29 Sep 2024
Left by Workawayer (Stacy & Andrew) for host
Kind humans, incredible animals, peaceful property. The work was fair and Lorna always made sure we had what we needed to accomplish a task. She was so appreciative for any project we helped with. The valley was a picturesque setting to do mindful tasks like harvesting beans and mulching the garden. The accommodations were better than expected, a… read more
21 Sep 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Stacy & Andrew)
Stacy and Drew were absolutely lovely volunteers on the farm! They are such hard workers and go above and beyond and take great pride in their work. They helped us clean, organize, weedwack to make things look beautiful on the property. They are a very efficient team! They spent 4 solid days harvesting beans, processing and remulching the garden.… read more
(Excellent
)
26 Sep 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Marianna & Claudio)
Marianne and Claudio were an awesome team! We had such a fun time with them here. They seemed to truly enjoy the morning chores and feeding all the animals. They dug many holes and helped us build the foundation of our stage/soon to be studio. They dug, leveled, set the tubes and helped with the concrete pour. We greatly appreciated their help but… read more
(Excellent
)
28 Aug 2024
Left by Workawayer (Marianna & Claudio) for host
We spent two weeks with Lorna and Paul in our first workaway experience and we couldn't have ask for more.
The place, the location and the hosts are the best of the best, we felt home from the very beginning and the ranch is simply WOW.
We started our morning taking care of the animals while other tasks were planned daily depending on the… read more
The place, the location and the hosts are the best of the best, we felt home from the very beginning and the ranch is simply WOW.
We started our morning taking care of the animals while other tasks were planned daily depending on the… read more
29 Feb 2024
Left by Workawayer (Jesse) for host
Staying with Lorna and Paul was such an amazing and peaceful experience.
They truly make you feel welcome as a part of the family and took great care to make sure their workaways were comfortable and had everything they needed. The accommodations were top notch and I enjoyed the varied tasks that made up the workday. I especially liked the… read more
They truly make you feel welcome as a part of the family and took great care to make sure their workaways were comfortable and had everything they needed. The accommodations were top notch and I enjoyed the varied tasks that made up the workday. I especially liked the… read more
28 Feb 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Jesse)
Jesse was such a pleasure to have on the farm. He is a very hard worker, and best of all he has such a great demeanor and attitude about anything thrown his way. He helped clean our barn to perfection with the other Workawayers as well as cleaning loads of construction dust from our remodel. Jesse endlessly sanded and stained wood boards for our… read more
(Excellent
)
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Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(4.9)
29 Sep 2024
Left by Workawayer (Stacy & Andrew) for host
Kind humans, incredible animals, peaceful property. The work was fair and Lorna always made sure we had what we needed to accomplish a task. She was so appreciative for any project we helped with. The valley was a picturesque setting to do mindful tasks like harvesting beans and mulching the garden. The accommodations were better than expected, a… read more
21 Sep 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Stacy & Andrew)
Stacy and Drew were absolutely lovely volunteers on the farm! They are such hard workers and go above and beyond and take great pride in their work. They helped us clean, organize, weedwack to make things look beautiful on the property. They are a very efficient team! They spent 4 solid days harvesting beans, processing and remulching the garden.… read more
(Excellent)
26 Sep 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Marianna & Claudio)
Marianne and Claudio were an awesome team! We had such a fun time with them here. They seemed to truly enjoy the morning chores and feeding all the animals. They dug many holes and helped us build the foundation of our stage/soon to be studio. They dug, leveled, set the tubes and helped with the concrete pour. We greatly appreciated their help but… read more
(Excellent)
28 Aug 2024
Left by Workawayer (Marianna & Claudio) for host
We spent two weeks with Lorna and Paul in our first workaway experience and we couldn't have ask for more.
The place, the location and the hosts are the best of the best, we felt home from the very beginning and the ranch is simply WOW.
We started our morning taking care of the animals while other tasks were planned daily depending on the… read more
The place, the location and the hosts are the best of the best, we felt home from the very beginning and the ranch is simply WOW.
We started our morning taking care of the animals while other tasks were planned daily depending on the… read more
29 Feb 2024
Left by Workawayer (Jesse) for host
Staying with Lorna and Paul was such an amazing and peaceful experience.
They truly make you feel welcome as a part of the family and took great care to make sure their workaways were comfortable and had everything they needed. The accommodations were top notch and I enjoyed the varied tasks that made up the workday. I especially liked the… read more
They truly make you feel welcome as a part of the family and took great care to make sure their workaways were comfortable and had everything they needed. The accommodations were top notch and I enjoyed the varied tasks that made up the workday. I especially liked the… read more
28 Feb 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Jesse)
Jesse was such a pleasure to have on the farm. He is a very hard worker, and best of all he has such a great demeanor and attitude about anything thrown his way. He helped clean our barn to perfection with the other Workawayers as well as cleaning loads of construction dust from our remodel. Jesse endlessly sanded and stained wood boards for our… read more
(Excellent)
28 Feb 2024
Left by Workawayer (Alexandra) for host
Boy oh boy, staying here was a blessing! I didn’t want to leave, but maybe I will return one day (if they take me back!). Lorna and Paul have to be two of the most hard-working people I’ve ever met. They never take days off—it seems they never rest from their projects! I was inspired by their ambition and how they simply... Make. Things. Happen!… read more
28 Feb 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Alexandra)
Wow! Alex was one of those amazing last minute "yes's" and boy was I stoked to have had her stay with us. She is a perfectionist when it comes to tasks given. She did lots of construction clean up, getting my dust filled pantry back to sparkling clean and she cleaned hundreds of tiles for our bathroom shower walls and sanded boards for hours.… read more
(Excellent)
24 Feb 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Joey)
Joey was such a pleasure to host on the farm. He is the kind of human you can rely on for accountability, whether it be remembering to put the chickens away, details on animal feeding, getting any job done to completion and with great attention to detail. He refinished a cabinet and some small tables for me and did a great job! He also did plenty… read more
(Excellent)
18 Feb 2024
Left by Workawayer (Joey) for host
I had the pleasure of staying with Lorna and Paul in the guest shed for two months. We worked on a ton of projects to finish the remodel on their home. My duties ranged from feeding and cleaning the animals living spaces to mulching, and sanding boards. I also was trusted with cooking meals here and there which I thoroughly enjoyed. Lorna was very… read more
12 Jan 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Bryan & Nele)
Nele and River were an absolute pleasure to have on the farm. Truly a fun couple, great energy, easy going, punctual, hardworking and talented! They spent days working on mulching the garden and did some furniture refinishing for us as well as organizing the barn and giving it a much needed clean up. What shone through as a highlight for us was… read more
(Excellent)
26 Dec 2023
Left by Workawayer (Bryan & Nele) for host
Staying at Paul and Lorna's property was fantastic, I mean A . We got along very well from the get go.
The work we did was rigorous but rewarding. The tasks were varied, although we mainly focused on preparing the garden beds for spring. Others jobs included: insulating a room, cleaning and organizing the barn, feeding the animals, and mulching… read more
The work we did was rigorous but rewarding. The tasks were varied, although we mainly focused on preparing the garden beds for spring. Others jobs included: insulating a room, cleaning and organizing the barn, feeding the animals, and mulching… read more
12 Dec 2023
Left by Workawayer (Hannes) for host
lorna's and Paul's homestead is beautifully situated between the town of San Luis Obispo and the ocean.
it's about a 4 mile walk to the closest beach, 8 miles to the closest surfbeach and 10 miles to the towns centre.
Living in the little shed with my own outdoor kitchen was a true luxury and i realy felt at home there. The food provided was very… read more
it's about a 4 mile walk to the closest beach, 8 miles to the closest surfbeach and 10 miles to the towns centre.
Living in the little shed with my own outdoor kitchen was a true luxury and i realy felt at home there. The food provided was very… read more
11 Dec 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Hannes)
Every once in a while you come across a Workawayer who goes above and beyond and Hannes is one of those people. We were so lucky to have him stay with us. We got so much accomplished during his two week stay. He is a ray of sunshine, big smile, very reliable, sings while he works and has the best attitude no matter the task. He has skills with… read more
(Excellent)
22 Oct 2023
Left by Workawayer (Ryan & Shari) for host
Arriving at Lorna and Paul’s homestead is like waking up in a dream! We did our first workaway here and felt welcomed right away. Throughout our 4-5 months with them, we became very close and built lasting friendships with their family and friends, as well as the other workawayers Lorna invited during our stay (she really knows how to pick ‘em… read more
31 Jul 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Ryan & Shari)
We were so lucky to have Ryan and Shari stay with us for over 5 months. What a dynamic duo! They became part of our family during their stay here and we shared many holidays together, had wonderful conversations around the dinner table and while working on projects together. Evenings were often filled with music and songs. They are both such… read more
(Excellent)
10 Oct 2023
Left by Workawayer (Sara) for host
My stay with Lorna and Paul was one that I'll never forget. They were hospitable, flexible, knowledgable, made great spot recommendations, and were clear with instructions while understanding of mistakes. My tasks included letting out/feeding the animals and mucking the horse pasture every morning, pruning/processing beans for their seeds,… read more
8 Oct 2023
Left by Workawayer (Ilaria) for host
Lorna and her family were really welcoming. There is always something different to do, so chores are never boring. Also, it was nice to hang out with other workawayers.
14 Aug 2023
Left by Workawayer (Jessica) for host
My only complaint was not getting to stay longer. My first workaway experience and although it was only two weeks I feel like I got more out of my stay than I could've imagined. Lorna and every one in her family are some of the most well rounded people I've ever met. Her children are so cool I wish I would've grown up around them. Isaac is the… read more
2 Aug 2023
Left by Workawayer (Kira) for host
When I first saw Lorna and Paul's workaway profile, I felt like I had stumbled on a gem, and boy was I right. Their beautiful property nesstled in the canyon, surrounded by trees, so close to the ocean was exactly the change that I needed. It was so fun to cook in the outdoor kitchen, which was always stocked with fresh eggs (such a treat!) and… read more
31 Jul 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Kira)
Kira is an absolute pleasure to host!! She is a lovely person who is genuinely interested in learning and partaking in the tasks that presented themselves here on the farm. She worked on painting some walls for us in the barn, all with a brush, and she did an amazing job....and I am extremely picky on who gets that job! She worked in the garden… read more
(Excellent)
1 Aug 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Julian)
Julian was nice to start, he clearly has a connection to animals and he adores them as they do him. Early on we agreed to let him stay on for almost three months. He was proficient with the weed whacker and did his chores on time every morning. Unfortunately he lacked initiative, enthusiasm and a happy attitude (which is encouraged around here :)… read more
(Neutral)
5 Nov 2022
Left by Workawayer (Nikoya) for host
I genuinely enjoyed my two weeks at this farm, it went by so fast and I would love to come back. Lorna and her family are very sweet, funny and great conversationalists. Everyone was understanding and accepting of my introverted needs, and they were also there when I wanted some company. I had some great conversations and dinners while there. I… read more
2 Nov 2022
Left by host for Workawayer (Nikoya)
Nikoya was a true pleasure to have around. She is very timely and independent and works well by herself, if you give her a job to do she quietly goes about it and and seems to really enjoy being detailed and meticulous about getting it done perfectly. She patched little holes in the floor where the screws are and pulled out staples for hours and… read more
(Excellent)
2 Nov 2022
Left by host for Workawayer (Katherine)
We all enjoyed having Katherine here on the farm. She has great skills in the garden so we had her spend a lot of time there harvesting, weeding and chopping to prep foods for fermenting, canning etc. I loved her stories, wisdom and general demeanor. She's definitely lovely to have around and welcome here anytime.
(Excellent)
13 Oct 2022
Left by Workawayer (Katherine) for host
Lorna and Paul are very kind and welcoming family, I spend one week with them and was amazing from the space that they have create is beautiful and I love gardening, so most of my time was there. For the afternoon I spend time exploring and going to places that Lorna and Paul recommended.
Thanks so much for open your home and been so kind!
Hoping… read more
Thanks so much for open your home and been so kind!
Hoping… read more
2 Nov 2022
Left by host for Workawayer (VanessaNaomi)
Vanessa was just lovely! We so enjoyed her sweet nature here on the farm. She was very helpful in all the tasks she was given. Vanessa is bubbly and exudes good energy which we really appreciated. We had so many nice dinners and conversations around the fire. She taught us how to make a strudel which she is a wizard at whipping up. The girl has… read more
(Excellent)
2 Oct 2022
Left by Workawayer (VanessaNaomi) for host
I had a great time staying with Lorna & Paul at their farm. I couldn't have asked for a cuter little "nest" to sleep and enjoyed the experience of an outdoorsy life a lot! Lorna, Paul and the family were very welcoming and kind. They took me to the weekly farmer's market, let me borough their bike to go to the beach, took me to a hike and even… read more
14 Sep 2022
Left by Workawayer (Summer) for host
My time at the farm was absolutely magical. I learned how to grow and harvest beans, tomatoes, garlic, and so much more. I also learned about irrigation, how to care for horses, ducks, chickens, and dogs. It was wonderful to wake up, do your chores, and then have the rest of the day to explore/create/chill. The living quarters are UNREAL, like I… read more
17 Mar 2022
Left by host for Workawayer (Isabelle & Alexander )
Izzy and Alex were absolutely wonderful volunteers! They were game for any kind of work and learned quickly. We had them help us put up our T&G walls in the barn and sanded and sealed many floor boards.. They figured out the power tools and went straight to work! Izzy cleaned my rental and hipcamp vintage trailer. She was thorough and took pride… read more
(Excellent)
17 Nov 2021
Left by Workawayer (Isabelle & Alexander ) for host
I would wake up in the mornings on this land, make my coffee, and sit outside to journal before the days work. In many of my entries I reference the deep peace that I found at Lorna and Pauls place. I will never forget magical mornings with the farm covered in fog, the smell of pear butter cooking in Lornas house after a day of pear harvesting,… read more
15 Feb 2022
Left by Workawayer (Jack) for host
I had a great Workaway experience with Lorna, Paul and family. They are accommodating, generous and easygoing hosts who have found a beautiful part of the world to call home.
There is plenty to do, even in the winter, as Lorna has a knack for projects and finding quality materials on Craigslist!
I was tasked with sanding five redwood doors,… read more
There is plenty to do, even in the winter, as Lorna has a knack for projects and finding quality materials on Craigslist!
I was tasked with sanding five redwood doors,… read more
18 Jan 2022
Left by Workawayer (Isabelle) for host
My stay at Lorna and Paul's beautiful homestead was truly an incredible experience. Lorna, Paul, and their entire family were such wonderful and welcoming people. They made me feel at home from the moment that I arrived. Their property is such a special place--a beautiful spot with a lovely garden, orchard, and view of the surrounding canyon. My… read more
10 Jan 2022
Left by host for Workawayer (Isabelle)
Izzy was an absolute delight to have on the farm. She is wise beyond her 18 years, friendly, considerate, intelligent, independent and a wonderful conversationalist. She took great pride in what ever job she was given, even when mucking the horse pasture! It has never been cleaner!! She moved loads of mulch and manure to our garden, restored an… read more
(Excellent)
9 Nov 2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Mathias Rindom & Amalie Rindom)
Mathias and Amelia were absolutely a delight to host! Such friendly people, so full of gratitude and appreciation and willing to work so hard. I loved that they dove right in and took on our barn wall project with enthusiasm. They learned the project quickly and ran with it. They both have an eye for detail and take great pride in their work. They… read more
(Excellent)
4 Nov 2021
Left by Workawayer (Mathias Rindom & Amalie Rindom) for host
How do we even start? Our stay at Lorna and Paul exceeded all our expectations. This was the perfect place for us to be after being on the road for a couple of months. Thank you Lorna and Paul for letting us be a part of your homestead and lives for a couple of weeks.
We were welcomed with great accomodations and Lornas warm and welcoming person.… read more
We were welcomed with great accomodations and Lornas warm and welcoming person.… read more
23 Sep 2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Maxwell & Hannah)
Max and Hannah were an absolute pleasure to have on the farm! Very friendly, outgoing, grateful and inquisitive and seemed to genuinely enjoy working on the farm. They worked extra hours so we could finish canning endless tomatoes and salsas, and curry sauce etc. They are hardworking and most importantly, took pride in the work they did. Whether… read more
(Excellent)
21 Sep 2021
Left by Workawayer (Maxwell & Hannah) for host
Our time with Lorna and Paul was truly extraordinary! When we first arrived we were astonished by our accommodations. It was much nicer than the humbled description of "guest shed." We had our own private dwelling with a full outdoor kitchen stocked with fresh groceries, private composting toilet, and a liberating outdoor shower. Their property… read more
15 Aug 2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Noa)
Noa was an absolute pleasure to host for a month. Her energy radiates and its hard not to feel joy when around her. She is a hard worker, detailed oriented and clearly always wants to do any job to the best of her abilities. I appreciated her willingness to do whatever project was spontaneously thrown at her... with smiles. Her true love of… read more
(Excellent)
14 Aug 2021
Left by Workawayer (Noa) for host
How do you begin to describe magic? That is what this beautiful homestead is! Lorna and Paul have created a home and environment that really embodies the values of living with the land and in community with others. There's so much to do here; whether you're working in the garden, helping with restoration projects, tidying up living spaces,… read more
19 Jul 2021
Left by Workawayer (Ahmed) for host
This was definitely one of the highlights of my visit to US, staying with Lorna & Paul was just great, the whole family and even friends were very warm and welcoming. The work was easy and fun, we had a few small building projects, as well as some gardening, it really is a beautiful place. I spent almost 6 weeks with short trips in between, but it… read more
16 Jul 2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Ahmed)
What can I say?, Ahmed was amazing! His work ethic is top notched he works very hard, almost to his own detriment. He had many ideas for work to be done and ways to do it better. He was enthusiastic to do anything requiring building, which I love, so we found some projects for him to be creative. He was comfortable with power tools and wasn't… read more
(Excellent)
17 Jul 2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Abby)
We enjoyed our time with Abby. She helped us pick about 80 lbs of blueberries, wash, and process them into jam or the freezer stash. We hauled wood piles out of the forest and moved brush. She was genuinely interested in gardening and being helpful wherever she was needed. She is a quiet worker but steady and dependable.
(Excellent)
15 Jul 2021
Left by Workawayer (Abby) for host
I had the best time staying here! Meeting Lorna’s family and the other workawayers was so amazing! The work was super fun and the whole property is just beautiful! It was such a cool experience
16 Jul 2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Jamie)
Jamie is such a sweet gal and a hard worker as well. I enjoyed our conversations, her diligence, her independence, her quirky nature and enthusiasm. a little farm gem :)
(Excellent)
16 Jul 2021
Left by Workawayer (Jamie) for host
I loved my experience staying with Lorna and her family. The kitchen and housing accommodation was incredibly comfortable (and adorably decorated!). The room was located a bit off to the side of the property which provided a lot of privacy, which I enjoyed. The daily work was well structured and she gave enough instruction so that you can be… read more
15 Jun 2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Kenady)
Kenady was a true pleasure to host! She and her friend were so friendly and had a very calm demeanor. They enjoyed being around the animals and weren't afraid of hard work. We put them to the test with poison oak and multiple trips hauling firewood from the forest to the fire pit. They kept their smiles going! Kenady is a great cook, definitely… read more
(Excellent)
30 May 2021
Left by Workawayer (Kenady) for host
My friend and I stayed at Lorna's for just under two weeks and it was such an amazing experience! Lorna and her family were very quick to make us feel super comfortable and right at home. The work was fun, easy to learn and there was always a lightheartedness to each and every moment spent here. Between the community dinners, meeting some awesome… read more
3 May 2021
Left by Workawayer (Mireille & Anya) for host
We stayed with Lorna and Paul for a little under a month and it was such a beautiful place to be! Lorna is very welcoming and generous with her home. We cooked meals together frequently and enjoyed lots of good conversation and food. The accommodations are lovely and there was a wide range of tasks to complete. There is definitely something for… read more
20 Apr 2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Mireille & Anya)
Mirielle is truly a gem, she and her friend Tyrus stayed with us for about a month. They immediately adjusted and became part of the workaway family here. Both of them worked independently, created jobs for themselves that they felt passionate about and took initiative to complete the tasks. Mireille painted the loo with adorable flowers and… read more
(Excellent)
22 Apr 2021
Left by Workawayer (Margaret & Lauren) for host
We stayed at Paul and Lorna's for six weeks, and enjoyed every second of it! Our camper broke down a couple days before our arrival and they provided alternative accommodations while we waited for the repairs. Our dog Vernon made quick friends with the farm dogs, and he misses them dearly! Lorna had a wide range of tasks for us, including… read more
18 Apr 2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Margaret & Lauren)
Maggie and Lauren are quite the duo! They work hard. Tiny but mighty! They both covered a broad range of tasks on the farm from sanding and refinishing a deck, cleaning rooms, clearing poison oak (brave Maggie!) and other brush from the forest, mulching the garden, mowing and weed wacking and basic animal chores every morning. They can handle any… read more
(Excellent)
10 Mar 2021
Left by Workawayer (Sarah & Zack) for host
My stay with Lorna and Paul was incredible. Their homestead is the true Central California coastal experience -- so much nature, so close to the beach, cute animals, a beautiful, artsy home, and a warm, loving family. I felt like a part of the family from the beginning. Our dinners together were so nice, I could always count on good conversation… read more
8 Mar 2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Sarah & Zack)
Sarah was such a lovely gal. I could have let her stay for months. She was willing to help anywhere that was needed. She is smart, mindful and could see what needed to be done without even asking. Worked great on her own and was also great working alongside other volunteers. She did plenty of manual labor; mulching the garden and orchard, dug a… read more
(Excellent)
8 Mar 2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Austin)
Austin was awesome to have around the farm! He worked in the garden, dugs some holes, mulched and did some landscaping. He was helpful and always had a positive attitude. We had great conversations at dinner, truly an enjoyable experience!
(Excellent)
28 Jul 2020
Left by Workawayer (Laura-Anne) for host
My time Lorna and Paul was short but sweet. They are clear and communicative which I very much appreciated, not to mention excellent hosts who showed me around and fed me well. The accommodation was perfect; their property gorgeous and the surrounding area filled with natural beauty. I worked on painting the inside of the barn and built a… read more
12 Sep 2019
Left by Workawayer (Amber & Julian) for host
Had the best time working here! Lorna and Paul really made us feel at home. We worked at our own pace. The property is beautiful, it’s in a great location and the work was fun!
12 Sep 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Helena)
Helena was lovely to have at the farm. She was curious, eager to learn and steadily worked on the tasks we asked of her. She seems to relish each experience, took it all in and took great pride in her accomplishments. She worked hard, mulching our garden and fruit trees.....A lot of trees! She enjoyed her alone time as well as helping cook in the… read more
(Excellent)
31 Aug 2019
Left by Workawayer (Helena) for host
I went to this homestead in hopes of learning more about my field of interest (sustainable agriculture), and left with more than I bargained for. I learned not only how to lay mulch for optimal soil fertility and plant nourishment, but how hard work can be the optimal cure for a chattering mind. I learned not only how to lovingly care for the… read more
8 Sep 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Vincent)
Ok....so this Vincent was an absolute rock star!! He brought along a friend Xavier as well and the two of them dug trenches and layed hundreds of feet or water linesnin the 8 days they were with us. Vincent appears to love working and problem solving. He is super capable with heavy machinery, has great skills, muscles and brains. we couldn't be… read more
(Excellent)
8 Sep 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Rhiannon & Matteo)
Rhiannon and Matteo were so personable and willing to work at any task we ask them. They were enthusiastic, fun and always in a happy mood. They helped build a duck coop, cleaned up the property, dug multiple LARGE holes and excavated plumbing pipes with great precision....and always with a laugh and a willing smile. They helped with cooking and… read more
(Excellent)
20 Aug 2019
Left by Workawayer (Rhiannon & Matteo) for host
Our experience at Lorna and Paul’s homestead was the true Californian dream! Such a great family to work with and spend time with. The work is rewarding and we had lots of free time to explore the surroundings! SLO is a beautiful place and Lorna and Paul were always willing to recommend places and show us around! Would 100% recommend and we hope… read more
8 Jul 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Shlomo)
Shlomo was so awesome to have around. I was gone for a big part of his stay but he helped my husband in various tasks. He is super friendly, smiling, chill and a great human! He was willing to work on anything with a smile on his face which is always an asset.
(Excellent)
8 Jul 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Jakob)
Jakob was a wonderful guy. Super easy going and kind and worked hard at any task he was given. He always seemed interested in learning about farm life and projects we had going. He entertained himself well in his time off, happy to do his own thing out in nature, hiking or enjoying the beaches nearby. Very low maintenance, which we love :-) But we… read more
(Excellent)
11 Jun 2019
Left by Workawayer (Jakob) for host
You could not ask for a better host. Lorna, Paul, Isac and Petra are extremely open, relaxed, kind, generous with their time and space, lots of fun to be around and talk to and just Californian in the best sense of the word. They made me feel at home instantly and are also very willing to share their knowledge and experience of the area. My work… read more
5 Jun 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Antonio & Maria Elisa)
Info notice: Workawayer cancelled stay or there was a no show at the last minute
(No show)
16 May 2019
Left by Workawayer (Emma) for host
Where should I start... Staying at Lorna's was amazing ! It was my first time Workawaying and I loved it. The place is really beautiful and peaceful, if you are looking to get off the grid it is the pefect place ! Lorna and I created the whole garden and she was super curious about my ideas, we worked together as a team and it was super nice. Also… read more
15 Apr 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Emma)
Emma is a feisty little worker bee. So passionate about permaculture and gardening, she mustered up a lot of energy to see that project through. Tiny but mighty. She got myself and another workaway volunteer motivated to get the garden going. We were all learning as we went but emma was the inspiration. Her cooking skills are off the hook! She fed… read more
(Excellent)
15 Apr 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Noah & Chloe)
Noah and Chloe were so great to have around. They jumped right in and got excited about building a lean-to on our shed. They also learned about and took on bricking the floor under the lean-to, creating the perfect workaway hang out spot :). They welcomed other volunteers with open hearts, were super easy going, eager to learn and work on whatever… read more
(Excellent)
2 Apr 2019
Left by Workawayer (Bethany ) for host
I contacted Lorna on very short notice, so it was greatly appreciated that she was willing to accommodate us. She and her family were very welcoming and friendly, and she shared with us a little about what there is to do in the area. We came at a very busy time for the family, so our interaction was limited. The farm/ranch is absolutely stunning,… read more
27 Mar 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Bethany )
Bethany came with stellar reviews so I hate to be the one leaving less than optimal feedback but i guess she and Rob were not the best fit for our farm in California. It was a crazy weekend with a big event going on for us, so I really only had them pull weeds for two days which they worked hard at. No problems with work ethic, just felt weird.… read more
(Good)
24 Nov 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Theres & Philip)
Theres and Philip were a lovely couple, sorry it took so long to write the review....They were fun, easy to talk with and happy to do whatever was asked. they helped me clean my rooms while I had to leave town....SO GRATEFUL! and helped us clean up around our property and helped make dinners for my husband while i was away. they will do anything… read more
(Excellent)
7 Aug 2018
Left by Workawayer (Theres & Philip) for host
We had a awesome time at the beautiful farm! Lorna and Paul with their kids are very friendly and open-hearted!
On the one hand we had to clean the sweet rental apartments and take care of the animals and on the other hand we spent a great time together like having dinner always together, sometimes outside on the fireplace, went surfing together… read more
On the one hand we had to clean the sweet rental apartments and take care of the animals and on the other hand we spent a great time together like having dinner always together, sometimes outside on the fireplace, went surfing together… read more
24 Nov 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (William & Alex)
William and Alex were so amazing to have around. Funny, kind, respectful, helpful and creative. We laughed, we conversed, we worked, we laughed, we drank, we ate....we worked. All around the greatest couple, they helped us dig holes, build fences, Willy built us a ladder, they painted an apartment, Alex cleaned an apartment started a garden. They… read more
(Excellent)
3 Nov 2018
Left by Workawayer (Catriona & Neil ) for host
A beautiful space & a beautiful family. We had a brilliant 3 week stay here. As soon as we met Lorna, Paul & the family we knew we were onto a winner. Warm, kind, hard working, generous & creative.
The work was varied and they never demanded too much from us. The work such as fence building, deck building & tidying up some fallen trees was… read more
The work was varied and they never demanded too much from us. The work such as fence building, deck building & tidying up some fallen trees was… read more
31 Oct 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Catriona & Neil )
Neil and Catriona were just awesome! they built us a beautiful fence, helped us build a deck, dug a ridiculous amount of holes and Neil was very handy with the chainsaw so he cut up some big branches and hauled everything off in our tractor....Oh how he loved that tractor! our conversations around the table were always enlightening, they are well… read more
(Excellent)
12 Sep 2018
Left by Workawayer (Marc) for host
I was really welcomed by Lorna and his family from the first minute. They made me feel at home, what I appreciate. The work is okay if you're looking for a ranch experience: Living in nature, making fires at night, having plenty of animals around (I am in love with Pluto, their cutest puppy) and many other things. Personally, I enjoyed their… read more
11 Sep 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Marc)
Marc was pleasant to be around, he did smile a lot and was grateful to be here. However, His plan to stay one month and help us lasted a mere 3 days. He didn't enjoy the work (granted, digging holes isn't always fun), spent most of his time on his phone and missed home and family and asked to go home after his first day. We accommodated him and… read more
(Neutral)
11 Sep 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Beniamin & Agnieszka)
Ben and Agnes were great! they dug multiple holes in our hard clay soil, built us a beautiful fence as well as a few other helpful jobs. They were always sweet and smiling and willing to help in any way. They amused themselves and spent their free time exploring the area and enjoying San Luis Obispo. We enjoyed having them.
(Excellent)
6 Sep 2018
Left by Workawayer (Beniamin & Agnieszka) for host
We spent over 3 weeks at Lorna&Paul's place and it was a great time for us!
It was our first Workaway experience, so we were a bit nervous, but once Lorna picked us up from train station and started a conversation, we knew that it's going to be an amazing time - and it was!
She is very positive, kind and energetic person with great vision and… read more
It was our first Workaway experience, so we were a bit nervous, but once Lorna picked us up from train station and started a conversation, we knew that it's going to be an amazing time - and it was!
She is very positive, kind and energetic person with great vision and… read more
19 Jul 2018
Left by Workawayer (Martin) for host
Were shall i start. I had the pleasure to stay a whole month with these amazing people. It was awesome. From day one, they treated me like a family member. You really feel welcomed. The work is also cool. They will find a job for you, it doesn't matter how many skills you have. I was able to build so much interesting stuff, was allowed to be… read more
6 Jul 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Martin)
Martin was an exceptional workawayer. He instantly felt like part of our family and we are so glad we got to have him for a whole month. He is a ray of sunshine, always in a good mood. Seemed to thoroughly enjoy working on projects and being helpful, no matter what was asked of him, he did it with a smile :-) He left us not only with great… read more
(Excellent)
8 Jun 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Justyna)
Justyna was lovely. She helped us with so many projects during her short week with us. She worked along side another workawayer and they got along really well and together they put up our fence posts and planted bushes, she pulled countless toxic weeds from our horse pasture and cleaned my house. She was a pleasure to host! Thanks Justyna!!
(Excellent)
8 Jun 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Max)
Max is such a lovely young man. He dug countless holes for us, planted trees, built a fence and always with a smile on his face and a cheerful attitude. He is curious about everything and life in general. He has a heart of gold and we enjoyed his bright light on our farm for the short week he was here. Hope you have many more adventures Max!!
(Excellent)
8 Jun 2018
Left by Workawayer (Max) for host
"A beautiful coast town, an amazing house, a hospitality family with lovely hearts, I mean, what more could I ask for to this
life ? "
Petra is a sweet girl teaching me about horsemanship, and well enriching my free time during the Workaway , Lorna and Paul both are very generous hosts treating me as a family, such as offering a ride to take me… read more
life ? "
Petra is a sweet girl teaching me about horsemanship, and well enriching my free time during the Workaway , Lorna and Paul both are very generous hosts treating me as a family, such as offering a ride to take me… read more
4 Mar 2018
Left by Workawayer (Kadir) for host
Such a wonderful Workaway experience. We had a great stay at Lorna and Paul's, we had nothing but a genuine and wonderful experience. They were both generous to us, and we enjoyed all the times that we spent together. We stayed whole month with them, first at the guest house and than the super cute trailer. We immediately felt welcome and at home… read more
27 Feb 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Kadir)
Kadir and his wife Meli were unbelievable volunteers. They are full of great character, gratitude, talent and a crazy hard work ethic. They accomplished so many varying tasks for us from cleaning out my art studio, painting it, resurfacing an old rusty welding table into a work of art, digging holes for fences, building a swing, sanding and… read more
(Excellent)
29 Dec 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Tej)
Matt and Tej were such a lovely couple. They instantly became part of our little workaday community. Matt helped us set up the internet in the guest house, yay!... and was always gung ho to help us out and learn about whatever was needed and future projects we had planned. He set up irrigation for the new trees he planted, built an outdoor shower… read more
(Excellent)
28 Dec 2017
Left by Workawayer (Tej) for host
Working for Paul and Lorna on our very first Workaway was everything we could have asked for and more! Lorna's family is so kind and generous...they share a connection with nature, as well as a sense of duty and responsibility for their community. There is so much to be learned from them and the way they live their lives. Every moment was filled… read more
12 Dec 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Julia)
Julia was such a lovely person. She worked incredibly hard, pick axing, digging holes, mixing concrete, using power tools or whatever was on the agenda for the day. Always smiling and ready to help in any way possible. As soon as I showed her the basics of the project, she was able to run with it. I felt completely confident with her getting it… read more
(Excellent)
12 Dec 2017
Left by Workawayer (Julia) for host
This was my first ever workaway and the BEST experience I have ever had! I already miss the family (and dog) and the jobs and life on the farm! I stayed for two weeks at the loveliest and most spectacular guest room ever! I don't know how to overall rate my experience as it was more than five stars! I left with more skills than I came with and… read more
30 Nov 2017
Left by Workawayer (Judy) for host
I had the BEST time with Lorna and the family for two weeks and felt so at home. The food and accomodation was next level (amazing!). We cleared out the creek, made some stairs, did some housework and furniture restoration. They took me on trips into town and to the beach and I got to go horse riding as well. The property is so beautiful and I… read more
30 Nov 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Judy)
Judy was our first Workawayer and she raised the bar for everyone after!! Such a hard worker, always cheerful and eager to work on any job. I would describe her as warm and spunky :-) On time every morning and super tidy in my house and her guest quarters. We all miss her. Highly recommend Judy to anyone.
(Excellent)
