Orchards, tallgrass prairie, timber and chickens on 75 acres and a river
Iowa
If you're motivated to learn about perennial agriculture, woodlands and prairie, aren't afraid to work and enjoy being outside, come stay with us for a bit.
Summer is the time we maintain our orchards through mowing and weeding, sometimes adding compost and mulch. We also tackle our woodlands with loppers, clippers and any other blade that will set back multiflora rose and honeysuckle. Doing this gives others room to grow and return diversity to the landscape.
Suzan has 15 years of experience growing perennial crops on multiple acres. She has attended scores of organic and farming conferences to learn about wash/pack sheds, growing specialty crops, organic practices and more. She loves to mentor new and aspiring farmers. Paul is slowing down these days but is still willing to teach WWOOFers how to make a great loaf of bread from scratch and talk anthropology with anyone who'd care to ask.
Our farm enjoys diversified revenue streams including Hipcamp, donations from events and sales of fruits and nuts. We're located 7 miles north of I-80 and 25 minutes from Iowa City, a university town with a vibrant farmers market and lots of live entertainment. If you have your own car, you can catch the many festivals and live music Iowa City and Davenport offer. Some folks visit the caves in Maquoketa or make a day trip to Backbone State Park.
You get a private room and bathroom and kitchen. We feed you three good meals a day (omnivore). We seldom expect an average of more than half a day's work (4 to 5 hours) though you can do more if you like. You'll have plenty of time to relax, hike, explore, fish, watch birds and deer, shooting stars and more. We have a bunch of chickens and three friendly dogs - a Bernadoodle named Chilly, a CockaTsu named Lil Bit and a Red Heeler/Collie mix named Gunnar.
Suzan will be outside working alongside you, teaching you what she knows and learning from you too. We eat at the table for all meals unless we choose to eat lunch in the field.
We are a progressive, comfortable homestead transitioning to on-farm sales of excess produce and freeze-dried goodies. Check out the reviews to see our long history of being popular WWOOF hosts! Only contact us if you're truly interested in organic and natural food production, prairie and timber maintenance, thanks.
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Forestry
Wild foraging
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Renewable energy production
Mechanics / tools / technology
Methods or systems
No-till farming
Permaculture
Regenerative agriculture
Mentoring opportunities
Woman-operated
Host type
Production farm
29.5
Hectares
|
73
Acres
Suzan
Member since 2014
Languages spoken:
English, Spanish
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 100%
Response time: typically within 1 day
Iowa
Iowa City or Davenport
Reviews
Abigail
United States
•
June 2026
We loved our first WWOOF experience with Suzan! She was a great mentor who really made sure we understood why we were doing the work, and she was often out there working with us. Suzan and Paul are such generous people, and their home and the WWOOF accommodations are beautiful. It was a truly special experience to learn from them!
Adam
United States
•
May 2026
Suzan and Paul (and their three very friendly dogs) were amazing hosts to this WWOOFer. I was given plenty to do as well as plenty of time to pursue my own interests. Suzan answered all my copious questions about farming, gave me free reign on their gigantic farm, and, due to her connection to the local farming community, made me feel like I was helping out in a larger battle for sustainable growing across the state of Iowa. Living accommodations were 10/10. Driving an EV ATV across a beautiful, riverside farm while happy dogs ran alongside us: 11/10.
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Ford
United States
•
April 2026
Had a great first WOOF experience at this farm. Suzan and Paul are open and welcoming. Suzan was easy to work with and accommodated my online work schedule. I was put on a number of tasks over the two weeks I was there (mulching, stacking wood, clearing the pond, cleaning fire pits, clearing overgrowth) and picked up a few new skills in the process. Lots of trails around the farm to explore. Would recommend.
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Dhanté
United States
•
April 2026
Suzan and Paul welcomed us with such warmth and generosity that we felt at home right away. Our time with them was both eye-opening and grounding, offering a hands-on experience where we could learn, contribute, and truly connect with the land. They were incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and accommodating throughout our stay, and every moment, from working alongside them to sharing meals, felt meaningful. Recommend this to anyone who enjoys being outdoors and is open to learning something new. We are already looking forward to coming back🌞
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Reply from Suzan
You're welcome here any time! We enjoyed having you.
Rachael
United States
•
April 2026
Suzan and Paul are the best! They are such gracious hosts and made us feel so comfortable. Suzan is such a great teacher as she showed us her farm, explained how things work and patiently taught us how to do the work. The living/sleeping conditions were perfect as we had our own bedroom and bathroom. We ate all the meals together and the conversation was easy. Our experience, from fixing outhouses, re-planting trees, fertilizing plants, and more, was awesome! We highly recommend visiting/working with Suzan and Paul and their farm!
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Noel
United States
•
March 2026
Suzan was fantastic to work with! When I submitted my request, she quickly got back to me and was flexible and accommodating. This farm is beautiful, and I received a tour of the farm right when I arrived. It’s obvious Suzan cares deeply about the work she and her partner do on the property. While I was there, we cut back bushes and undergrowth that were encroaching on the path, hauling the debris toward a nearby ravine. Suzan is a great teacher, patient, and happy to explain things I didn’t know and answer any questions I had. She showed me how to use the brush cutter, and trusted me to be on my own, while she used the chainsaw a little further down the path. I appreciated the autonomy and trust she gave me. Can’t wait to WWOOF here again!
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