Diverse off grid homestead, orchards, gardens & wildlife sanctuary in Mendocino County, CA.
California
Nestled in the coastal range of Mendocino County, California (about 45 minutes NW of Ukiah) we have established a small farmstead and wildlife sanctuary. Based on principles of sustainability & permaculture our expanding ridge top garden and orchards consist of a variety of fruits, veggies, herbs and flowers. Aside from garden and orchard tasks additional projects may include gathering seaweed and other native wild foods, cooking, canning, fermenting foods, baking, making herbal preparations, seed saving, habitat restoration, brush and trail clearing, bucking and splitting firewood, small scale building, learning how to set up and maintain an off-grid infrastructure and solar system and so much more!
PLEASE READ OUR ENTIRE PROFILE BEFORE CONTACTING US.
For the last 19 years we have been creating our place to call home on what was once raw land. We started out in a tent then moved to a trailer and now live in a small home which was built with wood from our land. We have put in our own infrastructure, gardens, orchards, trails, etc., and there is always so much more to do. We greatly appreciate people with a strong work ethic who truly want to help out, learn a lot and have an experience of a lifetime!
We are in a beautiful location where the weather is cooler than the town of Ukiah, but it is relatively remote and therefore not for everyone. We are looking for open minded folks who are flexible, love to be outdoors, want to unplug and would enjoy the serenity of a mountain forest. We require a 1 month minimum stay. If you have ever thought you might like to homestead or purchase raw land then our farm would be a good place to visit. We are not a commercial farm, but we may choose to sell our produce locally in the future. We admire the work of Masanobu Fukuoka, Bob Cannard, Richo Cech, Kat Harrison, Rosemary Gladstar and John Jeavons amongst others.
We are a vegetarian household living very simply off the grid. We provide organic staples such as grains, beans legumes, flour, veggies, fruit, herbs, spices, cooking oil, coffee, tea, eggs, etc. Most meals are made from scratch and we want everyone to feel that they have access to plenty of healthy food.
Our idea of entertainment is walking & hiking the old logging roads and trails that meander throughout our diverse 88 acres. We also enjoy reading, sunbathing, stargazing, drumming and conversing around the campfire. Internet is available but limited, and we prefer people who wish to take a break from it. Camping is available and having your own transportation is helpful but not necessary. We can pick you up in Ukiah or Mendocino. A weekly trip into town is often available.
Things to do in the area include enjoying the local hot springs, virgin redwood groves, rivers, beaches, botanical garden, wineries and historic coastal towns.
Organic methods: We are expanding our garden by adding beds on contour with the land and we have done some Hugel culture. We create our compost on site, and we are working towards a closed loop system of sustainability. Sawdust from the milling process, wood chips, organic straw, oyster shell and locally harvested seaweed and herbs are used to amend our soil. We also create biochar for use in our garden beds, use nutrient rich water from our greenhouse fish tank to feed our greenhouse plants and occasionally make compost and herbal teas for our plants. We do not use machinery to till our beds, we simply turn them by hand to amend them. We also practice crop rotation and cover cropping. In the future we hope to incorporate bee keeping.
Certifications: We are not certified but we practice as if we were. Our food is as clean as you can get!
Current projects: We are always looking for helping hands for a myriad of gardening and homesteading tasks. Aside from that we are looking for someone with building skills to help with various building projects such as framing, roofing, siding, etc. Ideally, this person would be able to commit to a longer stay and be able to work both independently and work well with others.
Want to stay longer than a month and get the most from your WWOOFing experience? Do you want to learn to live with the seasons? FULL SEASON STAYS are offered from March 19th thru November 19th. Farming or gardening experience is a plus but not necessary. Long term stays focus on the garden...propagation, cultivation, harvesting, processing, seed saving, soil building/health, orchard care along with wild foraging, firewood, infrastructure maintenance, trail work and a myriad of other tasks that come with seasonal living and a homesteader's lifestyle. Please contact us for more information.
There is always so much to do on our land. Those that come out our way always get to experience a diversity of tasks and learning opportunities. We hope you can join us!
Languages Spoken: English, German & a little Spanish
SORRY, BUT WE CAN'T ACCOMMODATE DOGS OR OTHER PETS!
We lose our souls if we lose the experience of the forest, the butterflies, the song of the birds, if we can't see the stars at night. -Thomas Berry
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Forestry
Wild foraging
Aromatic or medicinal plants, teas
Seed saving or production
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Traditional crafts
Green Building
Renewable energy production
Methods or systems
Biological pest control
Holistic management
No-till farming
Permaculture
Host type
Self-sufficiency property
Former WWOOFer
35.6
Hectares
|
88
Acres
Accommodation
Laura
Member since 2014
Languages spoken:
English, German, Spanish
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 100%
Response time: typically within 1 day
California
Amtrak, Greyhound and MTA buses arrive in Ukiah. The closest airport is in Santa Rosa.
Reviews
Grace
United States
•
November 2025
I cannot express my gratitude enough for my experience working with Laura and Andres on their magical land. Through my time spent in the garden, exploring their forests, observing woodland critters, and more I was able to slow down and mindfully attune to the world around me. The property is breathtaking - surrounded by redwoods, starry night skies, and the most spectacular mountain sunsets.
The hosts are extremely welcoming and truly care about your wellbeing. I valued our time spent together engaging in meaningful conversations during community meals, cooking, practicing herbalism, and the off-property adventures they were willing to take us on within their community. It was rewarding to contribute to the hosts’s mission for their land and their values around sustainability and collective healing. They are also extremely attentive and patient teachers who provide thorough explanations on daily tasks so that you are able to fulfill them with ease and are left with greater understanding. They greatly value your feedback and want you to get the most out of your experience. These qualities and their passion for bettering the earth fosters an environment for personal growth. I will carry the lessons I’ve learned and the memories I’ve made with me into the next stages of my life. I look forward to visiting again.
I would highly recommend this opportunity to anyone interested in mediative garden cultivation, herbalism, cooking, homesteading, and off-grid living.
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Maya
United States
•
November 2025
I had a great stay here! Laura and Andreas were very sweet and welcoming, and provided an excellent space for us to cook and live. They did their best to teach us what we were interested in and wanted to learn. The garden and whole property were beautiful, and every way you look, the view is breathtaking. I 100% recommend WWOOF-ing here!
Charlotte
United States
•
May 2025
We LOVED this farm. Laura and Andreas are so incredible kind, knowledgeable, and patient. My husband and I learned so many valuable new skills and got to enjoy the magnificent place they have created over years of care and hard work. We spent time doing burn piles, starting seeds, weeding, prepping and amending garden beds and eating great food! If you get the chance to go and stay for a while DO IT! You won’t regret it:)
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Deneshia
United States
•
February 2025
Well, I’m not on Mendocino time anymore and it’s unfortunately back to the typical city grind.
There is a Vipassana Center close to the farm in Kelseyville, a must try experience along with nearby Hardin Hot Springs.
Laura took us to the amazing Orr Hot Springs, Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden, and the Halloween Street Show. While in Mendocino you have to stop at Frankie’s for some candy cap mushroom ice cream.
I had the wonderful experience of having Thanksgiving at the farm and the opportunity to meet neighbours.
My experience was in October and November. November was a little cold and wet for my Arizona thermostat; however it was an unusually wet and cold November. The weather was perfect for foraging mushrooms and there are many sources to connect with in the area to learn more.
I found Lucy’s Laundromat the easiest way to have clean clothes.
Laura taught us wwoofer’s many many things. From gardening, compost, salve, tincture, acorn flour, seed collecting, canning, plant identification, crop rotation, harvesting, recipes and so much more. Planting seeds, watching the sprouts grow, and then planting them in the ground gave me a huge sense of growth, pride, and comfort.
I am grateful for the time I had at the farm. To be on Mendocino time, the time to learn arts and crafts and spend time in the redwoods.
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Justin
United States
•
November 2024
Laura was very informative and accommodating. I enjoyed my time there. It was the most beautiful place I've been. It allowed me to disconnect from all social media to meet new individuals. It took me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to relax. I learned a lot. I enjoyed all the wildlife, the scenery, the isolation Laura went out of her way to take me to Ukiah and Mendocino. We enjoyed October festivities. The time I spent with Laura was very educational. I cherished my time but I can't wait to return. My soul was enlightened. I think it changed me as an individual. Her husband Andreas was very helpful. The other woofers I worked with were fine. We had great times together. Community meals and excursions into town I'd like to thank Andreas and Laura for their hospitality. There was plenty of food. The weather was perfect I learned how to can and preserve food. I learned how to sow seeds. Laura was very insightful. The property was beautiful. My thanks Go out too my hostess
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Sofia
United States
•
June 2024
I am so grateful for my time wwoofing with Laura and Andreas, it was a truly wonderful two months! The land is beautiful, food is delicious, company is wonderful, and work can be difficult but is fulfilling. I learned many things that will stick with me and serve me in my future (how to use a chainsaw, sustainable and regenerative gardening practices, what it takes to live off grid and start a homestead, cooking delicious new recipes, fun facts about a large variety of plants, and more!) I loved living more simply and left with a stronger and more centered body and mind. This experience will be dear to me forever and I am excited to return one day!
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