No Hosting in 2016
Seasonal Calendar
We host WWOOFers mainly April through October in three seasons, each with a different focus. In each session we will host up to four WWOOFers allowing individual attention and instruction for all. Hosting November -March is limited. Applicants are encouraged to apply to multiple sessions. To apply, click Here.
Spring Garden Season April-June
In the spring and early summer our primary focus is on preparing and planting the spring garden. WWOOFers will have an opportunity to learn about warm and cool season crops, plant propagation in field and greenhouse, drip irrigation, bed preparation, organic soil amendments and plant nutrition and other aspects related to spring planting.
In addition to gardening we also work on building projects, natural and conventional, both on the land and in town. Work is primarily at the bungalow in town until the creek crossing at the land is passable. This shift is weather dependant and normally happens in late May or June. WWOOFers have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with harvesting natural building materials, round pole framing, light-clay, earthen plasters, cob, conventional carpentry and other methods.
We are likely to receive a batch of day old meat breed chickens in late May for August harvest.
For WWOOFers interested in learning more market scale farming you may also work with Antonia at Brookside School Farm. See the Brookside page for more information.
In addition to gardening we also work on building projects, natural and conventional, both on the land and in town. Work is primarily at the bungalow in town until the creek crossing at the land is passable. This shift is weather dependant and normally happens in late May or June. WWOOFers have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with harvesting natural building materials, round pole framing, light-clay, earthen plasters, cob, conventional carpentry and other methods.
We are likely to receive a batch of day old meat breed chickens in late May for August harvest.
For WWOOFers interested in learning more market scale farming you may also work with Antonia at Brookside School Farm. See the Brookside page for more information.
Summer Natural Building Season
July-September
During July, August, and September the focus will be on building. Our time will be split between the land in the county and the house in town. WWOOFers will gain hands on experience in cob, natural plasters, light clay straw, wattle and daub, and perhaps poured adobe floors. There will also be an opportunity to gain experience in conventional methods such as carpentry, installing windows, doors, and siding, plumbing, and electrical with a focus on integrating these technologies into our natural home and working at an off-grid scale. In town we will build a cob oven, a greenhouse, and work on converting a 1912 carriage house into a WWOOFer apartment using a mix of conventional and natural methods.
There will be opportunity to share in the bounty of the summer harvest and work in the garden. The intensity of spring garden planting is complete. Summer gardening work is limited and consists of maintenance such a weeding, irrigation, and pest control. Bountiful harvests begin in July and August promises abundant blackberries. We will see how the season progresses and harvesting and preserving produce may join in with our building tasks in August/September. Our meat bird chickens which will be ready to harvest late summer. WWOOFers are welcome to opt-out of this activity if butchering is not a skill that interests them. For WWOOFers interested in learning more gardening you may also work at Brookside Farm where the focus is on farming. See the Brookside page for more information.
There will be opportunity to share in the bounty of the summer harvest and work in the garden. The intensity of spring garden planting is complete. Summer gardening work is limited and consists of maintenance such a weeding, irrigation, and pest control. Bountiful harvests begin in July and August promises abundant blackberries. We will see how the season progresses and harvesting and preserving produce may join in with our building tasks in August/September. Our meat bird chickens which will be ready to harvest late summer. WWOOFers are welcome to opt-out of this activity if butchering is not a skill that interests them. For WWOOFers interested in learning more gardening you may also work at Brookside Farm where the focus is on farming. See the Brookside page for more information.
Fall Harvest Season
September October
Fall is a time to harvest store away the rewards of a productive growing season and prepare the garden for cool weather ahead. In this session WWOOFers will work on harvesting, processing, and preserving the bounty of the years garden and planting the crops for the fall season. Building as described above will be a big part this session too.
We will make sun-dried tomatoes and leathery apple slices to enjoy the fall bounty all year-round. In the kitchen we will can up fruit preserves, apple sauce, ketchup, salsa and more. WWOOFers will participate in planting the fall garden and learn about season extension, drip irrigation, plant propagation, and more. Depending on interest we will consider harvesting animals and learn about butchering poultry.
We will make sun-dried tomatoes and leathery apple slices to enjoy the fall bounty all year-round. In the kitchen we will can up fruit preserves, apple sauce, ketchup, salsa and more. WWOOFers will participate in planting the fall garden and learn about season extension, drip irrigation, plant propagation, and more. Depending on interest we will consider harvesting animals and learn about butchering poultry.
Cold Wet Season
November - March
Normally we do not host WWOOFers in the wet season. However, with flexibility it may be possible for us to take on short term WWOOFers during this time. There may be a possibility to visit the homestead, but primarily the projects will be at the bungalow in town. Projects at the bungalow in town are limited and may not be of interest to many WWOOFers. Examples of possible projects are carpentry, pluming, painting, electrical, limited garden and chicken care. If we get a good warm spell there is some cob and earthen plaster work to be done, but that is weather dependent. During most of the rainy season the soil is too wet to farm and the homestead is difficult to access when the creek is running high. Dates are limited as your hosts are getting their own traveling in during the wet season.