Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
11 Mar 2026
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 4 days
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13
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Details
Description
Hello there traveler! Let us first introduce ourselves: We are the Smiths... grandfather Kent(86) (grandmother recently passed away in last year), my father Roy(54), and I am Siena(21). We are a frugal family, happy to share our beautiful property and meet new people.
We are repairing and replanting a historic mixed animal farm in the heart of Sonoma county, less than an hour from San Francisco. Our farm uses traditional and regenerative practices to restore the health of the land and adapt to the ecological crises. Our goal is to provide food for the family, wildlife, and local community, and we are developing hedgerows, orchards, veg gardens, and animal lines suitable for our region.
We value curiosity, those who are highly organized, fit, adventurous, and open-minded.
There is endless work, and it is both strenuous and varied. Guests can contribute as many hours as they wish, with no more than 15 hours required per week. Animal care is the primary responsibility, most of which is completed in the mornings.
Guest travelers could help plant trees, care for gardens, and tend to daily animal care. You will not be expected to contribute to any form of business or market activities, and you are not replacing a worker or employee.
You are our guests, here for cultural exchange, and so are visiting only as a tourist (if from outside the US).
Projects include:
- Daily feeding of chickens, pigs, sheep, donkeys, dogs, geese, and cats.
- Walking and brushing of donkeys. (a workawayer favorite)
- Planting and care of crops.
We are located between urban areas, and have easy freeway access to the whole Bay Area. Thirty minutes drive to the coast or wine production areas. Bus and train transport is a ten minute bike ride away.
We live simply, with low energy and little technology. We walk, ride bikes, or us public transport to get around. This is a chance for you to live like a modern peasant, or in a way that we may all have to in the future.
We look forward to occasional outings with you, including hiking and sightseeing, as well as campfire potlucks and chats.
Who should come:
- Those who want to participate in a highly physical peasant life.
- Those who seek a way to separate from global industrial civilization.
- Those who want to understand our past, present, and future.
- Those who are open to a real operating animal farm, in which death and life are experienced equally, and all animals have their spirit and will intact. (No pets, not a rescue).
- Those who like to push themselves with adventure and humor.
As of fall 2025, I (Siena) am away at college, so Roy will be hosting alone. We encourage you to contact past guests to get a sense of the vibe. There are often other visitors or volunteers here during the week.
Please read our reviews and contact past visitors. If it seems that the farm is a good match, we will schedule a video call together. We normally book up several months in advance.
** Because both I and my father are too busy currently, we cannot make meals for workawayers. There is a full kitchen in the guest trailer for you. We are very tight on money at the moment, and so guests will be responsible for their own food. We will share any extra we have.
***Foreign Visitors: Please do come to us! We can help you avoid problems with the nightmare of Immigration Police. The current government will not last, and there is much you can learn from what is happening in America now. And we need your support and friendship!!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Elderly Companionship
Gardening
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Self development
Sustainability
Politics / Social justice
Farming
Drawing & painting
Plant care
Writing
Languages
History
Cooking & food
Carpentry
Animals
Water sports
Outdoor activities
Nature
Mountain
Hiking
Cycling
Camping
Beach
Adventure sports
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Travelers have the opportunity to witness and practice biodynamic and permaculture methods of land restoration, to learn a variety of practical farm skills, to witness managed grazing methods, to learn about animal husbandry, and to consider a local response to the global climate and ecological predicament. How to stay human, how to live in these times, how to connect back to nature and ourselves.
Sonoma County is rich in cultural evens, music, micro breweries, wineries, cycling and coastal parks.
We expect visitors to have plenty of time to relax and explore.
Help
Animal care is year round.
December/January
Winter tree care, including mulching, rooting, weeding, and planting bulbs.
February/March:
Veg patch preparation
Chicken care
Tree planting, fencing
April/May
Haying
Fencing
Vegetable gardening
June/July
Finish putting up hay
Water and irrigation systems
Tree watering and mulching
August/September
Watering and irrigation
Veg and crop care
Donkey whispering
October/November
Winter prep for animals, land, and buildings
Replanting trees and bulbs
Beer drinking
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
German: Intermediate
Italian: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
Don't worry if your English is not perfect. We are open and easy going with mixed communication, and will make the effort to meet you where you are at.
Accommodation
We have a 40ft trailer that can sleep 4 people (one double bed and two bunk beds), but is best for a single or a couple. Full kitchen + living area. Compost toilet outhouse, and indoor and outdoor solar showers.
Camping spots available.
What else ...
This property is perfect for people who desire access to the greater Bay Area. We are minutes from the main freeway, easily reached from San Francisco international airport, and walking distance from the local town and shops, as well as a train station and buses.
Fun things to do with us:
- Archery
- hikes and rock climbing at the beach
- going to San Fransisco via train and ferry
- hikes around nearby hills and parks
- target practice and all sorts of other fun games
You will not be expected to contribute to any form of business or market activities. (Repeating this for Big Brother)
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have decent internet connection over most of the buildings. Cafes and places with free wifi are also within walking distance.
Space for parking camper vans
Seasonally we can host people with campervans/motorhomes. It gets very wet and muddy here, and so summer time is the best time if you want to be able to get your vehicle out of the field.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (8)
That's probably one of the hundred questions Roy would ask you during your stay.
We had the chance to meet her daughter (Siena) too who's as friendly as her father.
Roy spent a lot of time explaining us with patience everything we had to know to help him with the farm.
It was mostly feeding the animals but don't… read more
There is so much history to the place: it used to be… read more
It’s hard work, and very rewarding to learn how to take care of the animals and take that over so Roy can get to more long term… read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
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Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
That's probably one of the hundred questions Roy would ask you during your stay.
We had the chance to meet her daughter (Siena) too who's as friendly as her father.
Roy spent a lot of time explaining us with patience everything we had to know to help him with the farm.
It was mostly feeding the animals but don't… read more
There is so much history to the place: it used to be… read more
It’s hard work, and very rewarding to learn how to take care of the animals and take that over so Roy can get to more long term… read more
I was really impressed by his generosity because it was apparent during our visit that he's an incredibly… read more
She has maturity and judgment not often found in people twice her age. Rachel is physically fit, mentally brilliant, a careful observer, asks good questions, and is totally reliable. She is… read more
The work on the farm was not too much and not too little. I fed the animals every morning. After that, it was different every day, depending on the weather and what was on the agenda. For example, I planted flowers or trees, got straw for the animals, took the donkeys for… read more
We hope she… read more
Highly… read more
Firstly, the location of the property is exceptional. I spent several days exploring San Francisco and experiencing… read more
