Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
29 Mar 2025
Feedback
7
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
The Farm is just over 2 acres on the south slope of Bear Mountain in Mission BC.
Once part of a larger farm we bought our property as bare land in 2014 with the intention to make it as self sustainable as possible using regenerative farming techniques. In 2015 we moved a house onto the property. Since then we have established numerous fruit trees and berries as well as herb and vegetable gardens which we grow for both food and seeds and are currently in the process of building a food forest with chestnuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, elderberries and paw paws so far.
We are working towards greater sustainability and accountability for what we eat. We experiment with different ways of growing things as a way to show people that you can grow food in small spaces including an orchard of dwarf, semi dwarf and columnar fruit trees. Much of what we do is following basic permiculture methods. Other crops include garlic, currants, rhubarb, blueberries, kiwi, raspberries, strawberries, wild blackberries, grapes, lettuces, mustard, tomatoes, carrots, onions, artichokes, potatoes, various herbs and whatever else strikes our fancy. Oh, and lots of flowers for bouquets. We also put in a pond and plan to experiment with growing greens on floating planters this year.
There are numerous trails you can access just down the street as well as a couple great swimming lakes and Cascade falls.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We make our own soaps and preserves and are more than happy to share our skills and knowledge. We have had many volunteers in the past so we are quite good at integrating people into our family so they can learn our culture and language. We are very close to hiking trails and points of interest such as a local monastary, technical biking trails, hiking, sturgeon fishing, lakes and waterfalls.
Help
We could use help with painting, gardening, animal care and general maintenance.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
We have a guest room with a queen bed next to a living room (with a fireplace) and bathroom. We are omnivores but do make occassional vegetarian meals and strive to buy our meat from ethical, sustainable sources.
What else ...
We are walking distance to trails and Westminster Abbey (a community of Benedictine monks) and a short drive to Cascade Falls and suspension bridge. There are some great local shops and coffee houses as well as stores offering all the necessities of life, but Mission is still a pretty small town. Mission offers trail riding, sturgeon fishing and some great hikes. About 45 minutes east of us is Harrison Hotsprings and Sasquatch Ski Resort.
Getting Here: Vancouver is about a 60 minute drive and there is the Westcoast Express commuter train train that runs Monday - Friday (limited runs - last train to get here leaves just after 6pm) from Waterfront Station to Mission. There is also Via Rail from various point across Canada as well as flights in and out of Abbotsford Airport. We can make arrangements to pick volunteers from the train or airport.
A Bit of History: In 2012 I founded the farm 1890 Urban Seed Collections as a way to inspire more people to grow their own food. One day I came across the trailer for the movie Truck Farm and was immediately struck by how people responded to it. I decided it would be an excellent way to demonstrate growing food in small spaces. For three years we drove our TruckFarm around Vancouver, put it on display at place like Science World and the Pacific National Exhibition, as well as did TV, radio and magazine interviews. I like to think that we helped get a few people started on growing some of their own food.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.
Space for parking camper vans
We currently have a campervan on site that we are helping sell. There is still space for another smaller van.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
Feedback (4)
Photos
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.5)
Communication:
(4.8)
They were very skilled, hard working and generous. They helped us build a new patio/walkway which was a game changer for me as I have some mobility… read more
When I arrived Ethan opened the door gave me a warm welcome smile and showed me around - we discovered a lot of common ground!
They had plenty of work for me, we hit the trails a couple of times and spent the evening's together.
My room was great, cozy, had everything I… read more
