Profile information
Host rating
65 %
Last replied
16 Feb 2023
Feedback
2
Email verified
Details
Description
I am a single woman in my late 50’s running a small organic farm/homestead and animal rescue. I participate in local farmers market, and host volunteers who help with the farm and animal care. I’m on 5 acres on the slope between the Salish sea and the Olympic mountain range, with Shetland sheep, Nigerian dwarf dairy goats, poultry, a horse, a couple llamas, many doggos, a few arm cats and 4 rabbits.
I can use some help in the home with cooking, cleaning, laundry, and keeping rooms organized so we have time for all the amazing craft projects like soap making, spinning wool, cheese making, food preserving and fermenting. I would love to find a work away person who wants to experience the farm, animals, and Olympic peninsula, who would love to help keep the house happy by digging in to the domestic arts. I would like to confirm that my workawayer will be helping in our home and the care of rescued animals, snd will not be assisting with farmers market produce or other income generating activities, such as short term rentals on or off my home property.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
This is a model homestead where most food we eat is produced right here, and then some, so we are part of the larger community of a rural peninsula working toward local sustainability. I strive to practice permaculture, no-till, organic farming and humane care of animals, who we value as friends. I also host 2-3 helpers at a time, but I am hoping to convert one of those helpers to this more domestic oriented help so I can spend more time outside in the gardens and with the animals, where I can teach and accomplish more. I am also working on building a food cooperative here, so that can be an interesting way to meet people and learn about the local culture.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
This will be help with basic housework, cooking snd cleaning up. Cleaning up after the dogs. There are usually 7 or 8 dogs, it’s a 4400 square foot house, and generally 4-6 people. People tidy up after themselves but hay gets tracked in, dog hair, mud, plus, lots of meals, dishes and house laundry/towels etc. always cycling around. Window washing so we can see the beautiful views! Diet leans toward vegan/vegetarian/pescatarian with the occasional meat eater (meat is not cooked in the house, but may be here for those who must have it). The help exchange is not for crafting, but on your own time you are welcome to explore wool spinning, felting, knitting, soap making, etc. Likewise, you can spend free time in the gardens if you like.
Languages
Languages spoken
Spanish: Fluent
German: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
My main language is English! Not sure I made that clear in the language choices 😬. I am 44% fluent in Spanish and would love to build on that by hosting a native Spanish speaker! And I speak a tiny bit of German, I have a grandson in Stuttgardt, I would love to practice my. German too.
Accommodation
You will likely have your own small bedroom facing the pastures. There is also a large semi private space that can be shared. This will depend partly on the season and your length of stay. This is a sprawling house with several bathrooms, 6 bedrooms, and about 2500 square feet just of decks. It was all built of cedar in the 1970’s to be a lavish home for entertaining, but I put a greenhouse snd compost piles on the tennis court and turned the swimming pool into a pond. Instead of it being a 5 acre lawn and big fancy home for one small, lucky family, I have opened it up to a lot of life, human and otherwise. If you are able to contribute, you are welcome to stay.
What else ...
The farm is on the edge of the Olympic national forest and park, just 10 minutes from the ferry to Victoria BC, there are endless hiking and biking trails, lakes and kayaking on the strait. The town is also 10 minutes with stores, restaurants and everything else. You don’t have to have a car to get around. I have excellent WiFi in the house. There is also a 70 acre woods snd stream next to our property that you can explore snd rest in anytime. I do have strict rules about leaving community areas clean and uncluttered unless a community project causes the mess. Also quiet hours after 10/before 8. This is a good environment for those who want to be part of a community household, sharing meals and chores, and feeling the benefit of considering the comfort snd care of others — animal, plant and human.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
I have a high powered, high speed and reliable internet connection and can provide you with private space to do computer work.
Can possibly accept pets
One well behaved adult dog, neutered/spayed and flea free, is welcome. No cats, sorry. I can’t keep them safe, too many dogs in the house and coyotes in the woods, and the barn cats aren’t accepting barn mates at this time.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
