Homestead / Farmstay / Volunteer / Educational Work Exchange

Role: Organic Gardening/ Landscaping

Type: volunteer for educational exchange

Host: Phoenix Farm & Campground East

Location: Salt Spring Island BC (accommodations provided)
Term: Longer term accommodations are provided seasonally from March-October.

Be part of a creative Agricultural Tourism Farmstay experience regenerating bio-diversity.

On a bright and sunny open landscape 18 acres Hobby Farm with fruit orchards, vineyard, swimming and watering ponds and a common playing field and cob oven for potlucks!

We use only organic materials, permaculture and sustainable methods for our growing Homestead. We encourage biodiversity through the re-wilding of edible and medicinal native plants. Helping these to flourish with companion growing for dual harvest. 

Our aim is sustainability for our small community through growing fresh produce of vegetables, fruits, berries, herbs and flowers. We’ll use whole plants; roots, stalks and leaves for drying together with our freshly dehydrated and juice for value-added farm products fermentations and seed saving.

Our work-trade season starts with the need for pruning trees, vines and brambles while taking out the invasive species that have set in over the winter months. Through the spring we'll work together preparing, expanding and tending to the veggie garden beds, along with herbs and flowers for our nursery. 

The Fruit Tree and Berry season for us includes the Raspberries, Cherries, Apples and Grapes ending in the Fall. We'll be building up the  soil through rejuvenation using mainly what’s provided on the land while adding a worm farm, bio-char, mulching and compost. 

In the early Fall we’ll start preparing the gardens for overwintering and remove the invasive species once again, This can be done as the weather permits right up to the Winter. 

Alternative and sustainable building projects using eco and innovative design will be on the go through workshops and educational exchanges together with farm members. Join in community projects as we add more Agri-Tourism events and workshops for additional outbuildings.

This work exchange is a volunteer position for 15 hrs /week in exchange for accommodations. Based on a 3-day work week, 5 hr/day during your stay. Seasonal outdoor kitchens and facilities are shared. 

Our Farm invites like-minded individuals into a small intentional community in association with common gardens and individual plots available for seasonal growing season as a lifestyle. 

Types of help needed and learning opportunities include:

• Help with Eco Projects

• Carpentry

• Painting

• Gardening

• Landscaping

• Removal of Invasive Species

• Weeding

• Mulching

• Pruning

• Soil amendmending

• Composting

• Irrigating/ Watering

• Seeding/ Transplanting

• Harvesting, Juicing, Dehydrating, Fermenting

• Kitchen help and food processing

• General Maintenance

• Building Fences

Contact Jo-Anne, spiralorganics@gmail.com

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