Help us rehabilitate this magical homestead in the Sierras with mountain recreation at your doorstep

California
Help us rehabilitate this magical homestead in the Sierras with mountain recreation at your doorstep
View from the upstairs loft of the downstairs living room BBQ picnic area outside
2 Updated 9 days ago
Welcome! We recently began our stewardship of this stunning 20-acre property in the heart of Gold Country. Our vision is to transform this unique bucky-ball dome home and its surrounding private land into an eco-conscious retreat center featuring farm-to-table food and serene natural experiences. Our property is incredibly private, backing up to BLM land, and offers access to a variety of outdoor adventures. Just above the South Fork of the American River, we're close to world-class rafting, gold panning, hiking, biking, swimming holes, mountain lakes, and a neighborhood disc golf course. Located near the El Dorado National Forest and a short drive from Lake Tahoe, there's no shortage of fun in these hills. WHO WE ARE Alexis is a yoga teacher, fitness trainer, and first-time homesteader with a love for the outdoors. Brandon is an energy healer, handyman, and chef who grew up on a 100-acre homestead in rural Minnesota. Together, we're building our dream while learning something new every day. We share the property with abundant wildlife that visits regularly, including deer, turkeys, foxes, bears, hummingbirds, butterflies, and countless other birds and creatures. WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON Our biggest priorities right now include: * Pruning trees and shrubs * Painting projects around the property * Carpentry and repair projects * Weed whacking and vegetation management Many of these projects involve working outdoors and using hand and power tools. If you enjoy building, fixing, maintaining, or improving spaces, you'll probably have a great time here. If you have experience with RVs, carpentry, painting, remodeling, landscaping, or general handyman work, we'd especially love to hear from you. As time allows, there may also be opportunities to jump in on other homestead projects such as property cleanup, gardening, organizing sheds, composting, landscaping, or other seasonal tasks. WHAT TO EXPECT During the summer, we avoid working during the hottest part of the day. A typical schedule is: * Morning work session: approximately 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM * Evening work session: approximately 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM The middle of the day is yours to enjoy. You can relax on the property, explore the surrounding area, take a trip to the river or nearby trails, or simply unwind in a hammock with a book. If you'd like, you're also welcome to join us on additional side projects around the homestead, but there is no expectation to do so. If you're interested, you're also welcome to participate in morning yoga, meditation, or even a cold plunge before starting the day. ACCOMMODATIONS Depending on availability, you may stay: * In our spare bedroom inside the dome home * In our cozy camper, which has air conditioning, a kitchen, a queen size bed, and its own outdoor space * At a campsite with your own camping equipment if you prefer FOOD We are omnivores who enjoy healthy, natural, home-cooked food. We provide: * Breakfast: typically hash browns with eggs and bacon or sausage, or oatmeal * Dinner: whatever we're preparing that evening WWOOFers are responsible for providing their own lunch. We're happy to accommodate food sensitivities as best we can. If you have allergies or require specialty foods or a very specific diet, we recommend bringing those items with you so you'll have exactly what you need. RECREATION From hiking and rafting to exploring Apple Hill wineries, this area offers endless adventure. We love staying active with TRX workouts, oracle card readings, gold panning, and relaxing around a bonfire. We also have a houseboat on the Sacramento River and occasionally take friends out for a day on the water. We're looking for people who enjoy working hard for a few hours each day, appreciate nature, and want to experience life on a unique homestead while exploring one of California's most beautiful regions. LENGTH OF STAY We typically host one WWOOFer at a time for one-week stays. At this time, we're not looking to host WWOOFers for multiple weeks or months through the exchange program. If you're hoping to stay longer, we'd love to discuss a rental option instead. This allows us to continue welcoming new volunteers while offering longer-term accommodations through a different arrangement.
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Raising of other farm animals
Viticulture
Forestry
Wild foraging
Aromatic or medicinal plants, teas
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Traditional crafts
Methods or systems
Holistic management
No-till farming
Permaculture
Regenerative agriculture
Mentoring opportunities
Woman-operated
Host type
Self-sufficiency property
8.1 Hectares | 20 Acres
Accommodation
4+ WWOOFers
Bedroom
Camper / RV
Campsite
Children not accepted
Pets accepted
Meals
Omnivore
Length of stay
1 day (local)
Weekend
Less than a week
1-2 weeks
Alexis
Alexis
Member since 2023
Languages spoken: English
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 75% Response time: typically within 3 days
California
There is an airport in Sacramento, or we will pick you up anywhere along Highway 50 between there and Placerville
Feedback
Louis
Louis
Luxembourg • April 2025
Fate brought me to Alexis and Brandon’s charming little farm in the beautiful hills of Placerville, and I couldn’t be more grateful! Though I didn’t have the chance to meet Alexis, I spent two amazing weeks working alongside Brandon on a wide variety of projects. He’s one of the kindest people I’ve met, always ready with a good story, an amazing cook and incredibly knowledgeable. The work was not only enjoyable but also a great learning experience. The farm is nestled among trees, so the view doesn’t stretch far—but don’t worry, Brandon makes sure you get to explore the area through little outings that truly enrich the stay. You really get something in return for your work, which I deeply appreciate. Without a doubt, this has been the highlight of my journey through America so far. Thank you for everything, truly! I'll be back someday☺️💜
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Courtney
Courtney
United States • February 2025
I really enjoyed my stay with Alexis and Brandon. They were both very welcoming and accommodating from the moment I got there, til the moment I left. We got to share many delicious home cooked meals together, star gaze, and they even showed me around town. I spent my time at the Domestead focusing on rehabbing their garden/greenhouse and helping to clear the land for future projects. Brandon is very knowledgeable about cultivation and helped me improve my skills with gardening. I also got to drop in on one of Alexis' fitness classes and it was great! They are both very passionate about their Domestead and you can tell by the amount of time and love they've dedicated to their place. Greatful to have had a great first WWOOF experience with them.
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