Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
9 Dec 2025
Reply rate
94.4 %
Usually responds within 23 days
Feedback
5
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
Hi there! We are Andrew and Karen. We love the Port Alberni Valley and know you will too. We fell in love with the mountain views, the surfing, the community of families we have met since being here and what we do on our farm. We are working toward a subsistence lifestyle by gardening and raising chickens, turkeys and sheep on our hobby farm. The valley gets quite warm in the summer so the walk down to the river for a swim is lovely and the Stamp falls park just down the road is great for walking trails. We have two small dogs. Pippin is an Aussie shelty cross and Cholo is a Chinese crested. Pippin helps sometimes to herd chickens and sheep but is in retirement and Cholo likes naps. Both are very friendly dogs. Andrew has two older daughters and they come to visit when they aren't too busy. We have travelled the world and seen many many beautiful lands but nothing is as pretty to us as our farm. We are hoping to have someone join us for the whole summer or longer.
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
House and pet sitting
Interests
Videography
Sustainability
Pets
Fashion or beauty
Van life
Self development
Farming
Plant care
Music
History
DIY & crafts
Art & design
Cooking & food
Gardening
Drawing & painting
Carpentry
Animals
Nature
Camping
Water sports
Hiking
Adventure sports
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We look forward to the opportunity to share our knowledge in animal husbandry and gardening in a relaxed atmosphere. We will be cleaning and spinning wool, canning for winter food storage and taking time to enjoy what we are creating. You can join us as we free dive for crab for dinner on the east coast of the island or gather mussels on the west coast of the island.
Port Alberni is a west coast life style for nature lovers . Surrounded by mountains, lakes and rivers. Endless mountain biking and hiking trails but best of all is surfing in Tofino. The beaches and hiking are breathtaking and will give you memories for a life time.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We are looking for someone to help with our morning and evening routines with the animals. This includes feeding and water checks, cleaning the sheep stall, chicken coop, cleaning water buckets and animal care for all the different animals when needed. These are things we can teach you. Animal experience is an asset but not necessary though you must be comfortable around farm animals.
Most of all we are looking for someone with interest and knowledge in post and beam construction or building experience.
We love to build lovely areas for rest and enjoyment as well as new structures for our animals but are currently looking to build a post and beam farm stand.
We also could use some assistance with watering and some weeding in the garden and yard maintenance if there is time in the day.
We will be doing most tasks together in the beginning but would love to have someone take initiative and be able to learn and do these tasks on there own when we cannot.
Languages spoken
Spanish: Beginner
French: Beginner
Accommodation
You are welcome to stay in our home. You will have your own room and share a bathroom with us. You are also very welcome to camp. We can provide you with everything you would need. It is very beautiful here so you may enjoy this. You are welcome to come into the house for meals and restroom/showering though we also have an outdoor propane shower for heated showers. We make breakfast and dinner most days. some days we just cook chicken or turkey on our outside wood stove and enjoy the outdoors. You would be welcome to prepare your own meals or join us. What ever makes you comfortable. There is always food available to cook if you are hungry. Whether you may choose to eat with us or make a meal on your own or cook for all of us there will always be three meals per day. I enjoy cooking and bread making so this is something I would enjoy doing together.
What else ...
There are so many hiking or mountain bike trails. Sprout lake or the rivers near by for swimming and or camping. Port Alberni is known as the Salmon Capital of the world if you enjoy fishing. You may enjoy surfing in Tofino. If you would like to go to town we are about 10 minutes away by car. We would be happy to take you and pick you up if we are able but we also have several bikes for you to use.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
You are welcome to use any space in the house for work and the internet works great.
Space for parking camper vans
We do not have septic for rv's but can offer electrical cord if necessary for power.
Can possibly accept pets
Unfortunately we are not open to other pets on the property. We have had a bad experience and we are sorry to say we cannot risk that again. :(
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
My animals / pets
Larry and Matilda our turkeys
Moonlight, Rainbow, Honey
Moonlight and Rainbow were born in in 2022 and Honey was born on February 16th, 2024.
Chickens
We have 56 chickens and 4 roosters
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (2)
Noah is hands down one of the most hard working, fast learning and eager to help dynamic individuals we have ever met! The moment Noah arrived we laughed and enjoyed conversation for hours.
Noah took on all… read more
Clementine was an excellent care giver to our animals and took on our daily routines very well. She took notes in the beginning to be sure not to miss or forget anything until those routines became her own. She did… read more
Their home is a great place to stay busy with animal routine and yard… read more
I learned so much from them about farming, island life, and, most… read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
Noah is hands down one of the most hard working, fast learning and eager to help dynamic individuals we have ever met! The moment Noah arrived we laughed and enjoyed conversation for hours.
Noah took on all… read more
Clementine was an excellent care giver to our animals and took on our daily routines very well. She took notes in the beginning to be sure not to miss or forget anything until those routines became her own. She did… read more
Their home is a great place to stay busy with animal routine and yard… read more
I learned so much from them about farming, island life, and, most… read more
