Host Profile
My Property
Business Type
Farming methods
Short Property Description
We are a couple with two children ages 3 and 14. We run a small mixed farm within a community with houses currently under construction (30 in total) called Shepherds Ground. We work the land using bio dynamic preparations as much as possible and we are in the process of increasing our holistic land management approach to the land in the management of livestock. We run about 15 cattle, 30 sheep, 30 laying hens. We also have ducks, and bees for honey. We produce small scale commercial garlic and run a kitchen garden with mixed vegetables. We have places for willing workers to do a mix of farm work including fencing, building, animal care, garden bed preparation, planting and harvesting garlic, processing garlic, compost building and other farm work. Nourishing shared midday meals with the meat and vegetable components mostly from our farm. Other times food is provided to you to prepare in the shared kitchen, we only accommodate vegetarian but no other specialised diets. Accommodation is either covered tent area or a room in the farm house. Initial stay is 2 days, if this works out then a minimum of 2 weeks stay. We are 50 minutes drive or train ride from the beach in Newcastle city. We are also close to the vineyard area, the Port Stephens coast, national parks etc. Our property adjoins large expanses of Australian forest. There are a maximum of opportunities for experiencing the Australian nature as well as farm and community life.
Full Property Description
The property covers over 100 hectares managed as a ‘land share’. It is mostly cleared with sections of revegetation. The plot of land is mostly surrounded by eucalyptus forest.
Organic/Biological methods we use
We use mostly bio-dynamic and holistic land management techniques. A lot of hands on work, some tractor work.
Special Conditions
We are not able to accommodate strict vegan diets.
Skills WWOOFers can learn here
Organic practices & techniques, Biodynamic practices & techniques, Gardening, Composting, Propagating, Pruning, Soil conservation, Mulching, Wild Food Foraging, Beekeeping, Animal care, Using & caring for tools, Building, Natural Building techniques, Fencing, Handyman, Bread making, Fermenting foods, Preserving & processing food, Marketing produce
Courses and Events
On the community we run hemp building workshops from time to time (there are 23 homes being constructed here in a village over the next two years) we will also be running other workshops such as rammed earth floor construction etc. We run a mix of days here that involved seed raising, propagating, hide tanning etc etc. It depends on the season.
My Details
The Stay
Can Accommodate
Preferred length of Stay
2-4 weeks, Longer stays by negotiation
Accommodation
In Our Home, Separate Building, Tent, BYO Accommodation
Other options
Children allowed by arrangement
Meal Procedures
Eat together, Share some meals, Share cooking, Food provided, cook your own
Languages spoken
English, French, other community members – Hungarian, German
Diets we cater for
Meat based meals, Vegetarian meals
Why I became a WWOOF Host
We are joining to be Wwoof hosts again as we have had lots of great help from fellow willing workers through the Wwoof network. We are still in start up mode after 5 years so there is a lot to do as we are working naturally and in tune with nature – natural farming is very labour intensive. We have also had so many great experiences meeting others and mutually sharing our lives and knowledge. We have both done Wwoofing at different times extensively overseas including Germany, France, Mexico.
