Located in the sunny San Luis Valley of South Central Colorado at 7500 ft., surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains on the east and the San Juan Mountains to the west, our farm is an oasis of life. Farming here has its challenges, short and unpredictable growing season, drought, wind, and varmints. We have carved out a compact intense integrated system of produce beds, 800 sq. ft. hoop house, a 2100 sq. ft. Greenhouse, and livestock,(rabbits, goats, chickens, ducks, geese, etc.), as well as Arabian horses. Two free flowing artesian wells bring life to our desert. Looking for dependable, thoughtful, mature hard working people - no experience is necessary only a willingness to learn and good communication. I have a BS in Animal Science/Biology and 40 years of experience to pass on to the next generation of farmers. I came to Colorado from Minnesota in 1978 to work on a horse ranch for $5/day and room and board. Slept in a little camper, ate meals with the family and worked horses 7 days a week, 12 hours a day. It was wonderful, so I came back again on my Arabian horse, who I rode from Minnesota for 46 days crossing The Great Plains. Now this can be your dream to live the Colorado lifestyle! Our area is an outdoor playground, thousands of miles of wilderness, Great Sand Dunes National Park, 2 ski areas, and 3 hot springs within 20 minutes. Though it is 40 miles to the supermarket and 3 hours to a mall, this not a place for urban dwellers. You will see for miles nothing but mountains, mesas, desert and sky, sky, sky. That's not to say we don't have culture - local live music, art galleries and the nearby town of Crestone is a haven for religions from all over the world- a Zen center, Buddhist stupas, ashrams, Japanese temples and a Catholic Carmelite retreat. Given the vastness of the land, a personal vehicle is recommended. There can be some schedule flexibility for outside part-time work, or even better, let's think of an enterprise you can do on the farm to earn cash. Always you and your ideas will be respected, and the understanding is that will be reciprocated. Our home is a lovely 100 year old farmhouse with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. Ideally we would like someone to commit to a complete season; short stays are counterproductive with the learning curve being what it is. This is not a cheap way to move out west, it's meant to be a win-win arrangement for knowledge and agricultural production, please be serious about your intentions, we are. We are also serious about having fun, cause farming is fun, hard- messy- smelly- beautiful- rewarding fun!
OUR VISION STATEMENT: To produce food with as little outside input and energy as possible. To work with the land and the cycles of nature, producing the smallest carbon footprint we are able. To create community and educate customers about organic farming.Currently working on a procedure manual on the details of living in the country. For instance: septic tanks are fussy so there are strict guidelines for what you can put down the drain. We recycle seriously and reuse when possible. Upcycling ideas are encouraged!After some bad experiences with other Woofers, we do not allow pets, it's too disruptive. Also no tobacco or excessive drinking or drugs. We are 420 friendly.Mutual respect is required and healthy attitudes. Working together maybe the most important skill learned at Sundance Farm, we build relationships that last a lifetime - just ask some of our former Wwoofers. Many still drop in to visit and lend a hand.Would like to sponsor female wwoofers this year. It is easier due to the living conditions. However, we would not turn away qualified males.Any horse experience would be fabulous, or perhaps you have always wanted to learn. Might be starting some colts this spring.Applicants must be physically fit, able to lift 50#, (bag of grain), and provide your own health insurance.
Certifications: TBA
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Dairy farming
Methods or systems
Permaculture
Mentoring opportunities
Woman-operated
Host type
Self-sufficiency property
