Help on a hobby farm in the Sonoran Desert, USA

Details

  • Description

    Description

    We (Tim and Victoria) moved out to our place in the desert in February 2008 along with our many plants. We have continued to grow our little farm of 4 1/2 acres to what it is today, which includes an orchard with about 50 fruit and nut trees, and enclosed structures with veggies and herbs that are protected from wildlife and the elements.

    We endeavor to provide a range of experiences for someone, and to offer a well balanced variety of activities that allows someone to learn as well as to contribute, growing organic produce in the desert, as well as assisting with various maintenance projects around the farm. There is a natural shift in focus / priorities from season to season, and our needs at various times also shift. We are a homestead producing food for our own consumption and none of the produce that we grow on our farm is sold.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Farmstay help
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
    Help with Computers/ Internet
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    There are always many things to do on our farm. This is a great opportunity for someone who is passionate about cutting edge technologies, growing one's own food, and learning new things.

    Being involved with Workaway has been a rich experience for us. We have really enjoyed having people from so many different cultures and backgrounds stay with us. We feel we have learned as much from them as they have from us, and we have formed many lasting friendships with a number of our helpers, some of whom have stayed with us multiple times.

  • Help

    Help

    Outdoor projects include tending to our gardens - planting, watering, weeding, composting, harvesting, and of course helping to eat the fruits (literally) of our labor =o), also working with landscaping (pruning native trees around the property, etc). And for those with interest and skills, we also often have maintenance projects such as repairing fences and other farm structures, painting, and minor repairs from weather and wear and tear, such as repairing irrigation lines, etc. We also sometimes have indoor projects involving organizing and cleaning.

    If you are passionate about healthy living, growing your own food, and exploring the beauty and uniqueness of the Sonoran Desert, this might be the place for you. If you are mature, responsible, self-motivated and interested in learning, as well as sharing with us what you know, you would fit in very well here.

    We enjoy the plant based lifestyle, though we do not require our helpers to also be vegetarian. Everyone can eat what they wish, but we do request that anyone who stay with us be at least 21 years old and not use recreational drugs. This is a drug free and smoke free farm, we don't host anyone who smokes (cigarettes, vaping, recreational or medicinal marijuana etc.) or uses recreational drugs.

    We have a friendly dog (Bear), and welcome helpers with well behaved dogs.

    We (Tim and Victoria) work full time with our online businesses so we are at the farm pretty much all the time, available to give guidance and direction to helpers as needed. Our helpers work on projects that are outside of our core businesses, doing those activities that we don't have time to do ourselves.

  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    We are in the Sonoran Desert about 30 minutes from downtown Tucson, in a quiet little neighborhood where everyone has acreage and beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. We offer room and board, with the living spaces being cute little campers that have their own kitchen area, bathroom, bed and eating area. The living spaces are climate controlled to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. We have WIFI in all units, and all are also hardwired for DSL/ethernet. And we have DirecTV, DVD player and an extensive book and DVD library for your entertainment in our helper lounge.

    We'd be happy to send pics of our accommodations upon request. As mentioned, each of our units have their own kitchens. We find that people's diets can vary greatly with food preferences / sensitivities, so everyone is on their own to prepare their own meals. Though it's not uncommon for helpers to eat together with potlucks, and for us to join them. We have a couple outdoor eating areas with plenty of room for everyone to enjoy a meal together. We have laundry facilities, an outdoor shower with hot water, as well as a bath house with tub for taking a hot shower / bath.

    Our recreational center includes a basketball court as well as a batting cage/bullpen/pitcher's mound for basketball and baseball aficionados, and a ping pong table. And you are welcome to enjoy our structured water pool, and of course drink as much of our amazing structured water as you like. We are a healthy oasis in the desert!

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    There's plenty of time for just relaxing and taking in the beauty of the desert here, including enjoying amazing sunsets over the mountains. One can also explore the surrounding area, such as hiking trails in Saguaro National Park and Desert Museum which are about 20 minutes away. And we are 30 minutes from downtown Tucson. There are many activities to enjoy in the Tucson area, with the University of Arizona downtown, and lots of recreation areas around Tucson for hiking and enjoying the great outdoors and unique habitat of the Sonoran Desert. We make runs into town regularly for grocery shopping etc., and Tucson also has a very good public transit system for exploring the area on your own.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    See description of our accomodations

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    We also have two spaces available for camper vans, trailers and RVs with hookups.

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    Well behaved dogs are ok under the right circumstances.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    20 hours per week. We are flexible with the schedule, so you can work according to your own rhythm, and the rhythm of the weather

Host ref number: 989257836993

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