Host Profile
My Property
Business Type
Farming methods
Short Property Description
We live on a 5 acre rural block in Yapeen, Central Victoria. Yapeen is a great mix of quiet countryside within easy access to the historic goldfields and artistic hub of Castlemaine. We are owner builders and in the process of finishing a unique, off grid house. Our block has a diversity of native grasses, some large remnant trees, an abundance of reptiles and birds, resident frogs and visiting kangaroos. We have lots of plans and are in need of extra hands to get things done, but also keen for good company and to learn from and teach others. We need help with maintaining and improving the biodiversity on the block (weeding, native plant propagation, planting and watering revegetation patches and making wildlife habitat such as nesting boxes), house/shed building, animal fencing and gardening – we have an orchard and a large vegetable garden. We use organic methods only and implement permaculture concepts whenever possible.
We also have a larger farming block in nearby Guildford with 9 pigs (which need daily maintenance) and where larger scale shed building and market gardens are under construction.
Activities you can do in your time off include bush walks, bird watching, visiting waterholes – we are close proximity to a natural swimming hole at Vaughan Springs. We have a spa/plunge pool available in the summer and a pleasant outside area for relaxing. WWOOFers will stay in a caravan or cabin with the use of our house for meals and bathroom facilities. We prefer to cook and eat together and are keen to experience cuisine from other cultures. We have a 4 & 7 year old and would welcome others with small children.
Organic/Biological methods we use
We garden using only organic methods – ie composting, mulching and occasionally natural pest control. Although untrained we use simple permaculture design features eg planning the chicken yard around the orchard, incorporating slope and aspect into garden bed design.
My Details
The Stay
Can Accommodate
Preferred length of Stay
1-2 weeks, Longer stays by negotiation
Accommodation
Other options
No Smoking Inside, Children allowed by arrangement
Meal Procedures
Eat together, Share most meals, Share cooking
Languages spoken
Diets we cater for
Mixed meals, some meat, some vegetarian
Why I became a WWOOF Host
We enjoy the mutual exchange offered under the wwoof setup where wwoofers have the opportunity to travel and learn new skills and hosts can get the help they need in a relaxed fashion. We are community minded people who enjoy the company of a variety of people and cultures, the input of energy into the land and the sharing of skills and ideas.
