Off-grid redwood forest in Humboldt County Northern CA, USA

Details

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  Description

  Hi! We live on 100+ acres of redwood forest in Northern California, close to the Lost Coast - the longest unroaded coast in the lower 48. We are known for our beautiful temperate Redwood forests, rolling hills and beautiful, rugged coast. Redwood National Park is approx 2 hours north, where you can discover the most primeval forests on the planet.
  You will be working to help maintain approx 3 acres of open space where our living structures are. The buildings are primarily built from trees that were milled right here on the property. Stacking firewood, weed-wacking, cleaning garden beds for planting vegetables and minor carpentry projects are what need to be done here.
  
  We're entirely off the electric grid. In the summer, there is sufficient solar electricity. In the spring and fall, we rely somewhat on a generator. In the very wet winter, power from our micro-hydro system is plentiful, and we hardly have to worry about electricity use! Better yet - when the grid power goes out (as it often does these days), we're fine!
  
  There's one very friendly dog and a very shy cat here. You're welcome to bring a friendly dog, as long as they get along with my girl and won't chase the cat.
  
  Living conditions: Bedroom is a lovely, insulated room up a full set of stairs. Basic kitchen is outside, under a roof. Hot shower is outside, tiled and sheltered. Outhouse is a little walk away, and employs a great, humanure system. (Honestly - your poop won't smell here!!)
  
  For general outside work, I would expect 5 hours of work a day, 5 days a week. In exchange, you can stay in the above accommodations and I'll provide 5 meals a week.
  
  If you know how to safely run and maintain your own chain saw, I would expect 15 hours of help a week. In exchange, you can stay in the above accommodations and I'll provide 5 meals a week.
  
  If you have your own accommodations, message me and we an discuss what makes sense for us both...
  
  I am primarily vegan (is that a thing?). I would provide you with simple, excellent food. (I had a food business for years. I still sell food at local farmers markets in the summer.)

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  You will get an introduction to all the details and systems of what is entailed to live entirely off-grid: including water systems, power systems and how they change with the seasons. Learn what a community effort it is to maintain a private dirt road. Enjoy the sound of the creek. See what a night sky looks like without any peripheral lighting. Experience the quiet and many shades of a redwood forest. Learn why people from all over the world have been attempting to save our finite ancient forests.
  
  I would love to learn more Spanish or French or a little bit of whatever language you primarily speak.

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  Help

  General gardening & homestead work. Veggie garden beds need to be weeded and/or weedwacked to prepare for planting. There might be minor plumbing projects to repair the irrigation system.
  
  Knowledge of basic carpentry tools would be greatly appreciated. Knowledge of how to safely use a chain saw would be awesome but not mandatory.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  I would love to learn more Spanish and/or French.
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  Accommodation

  Bedroom is a lovely, insulated room up a full set of stairs, heated by a woodstove. Basic kitchen is outside, under a roof. Hot shower is outside, tiled and sheltered. Pooper is a little walk away, and employs an odor-free, humanure system. (Seriously - your poop won't smell in this system!)

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  What else ...

  Thousands of acres of state and national parks are within a days drive. The Lost Coast and the fishing village of Shelter Cove are approx 45 minutes away.
  The sweet community of Ferndale is less than an hour drive.
  Our local community center, the Mateel Community Center hosts a variety of musical shows. We have a small theatre in Garberville, which is 20 minutes away. Our local people-powered community radio station, KMUD, would be happy to give you a tour.
  If you don't drive here, I can pick you up from the Garberville Amtrak Bus or Greyhound Bus. Or if you rent a car, we could return it in Arcata or Eureka.

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  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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  Space for parking camper vans

  There is room for a regular size van. A smaller motorhome would be fine. A large motorhome could be OK, but know there is a section of dirt road that is steep.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  Yes! .... as long as your furry friend get along with my friendly girl and won't kill my shy cat. :~)

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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