Homestead, Orchard, Vegetables, Market / CSA, Remote study opportunities

California

7 reviews • Updated 1 year ago

We are a small organic farm on a south facing slope above the city of Santa Barbara.. We grow a wide variety of trees, citrus, sub tropics, row crops, early and late season vegetables. Our summer season is in the Santa Ynez Valley, an hour away, where we grow several kinds of melons and corn. All Which are sold at the Saturday Farmers Market in Santa Barbara. I have 30+ years of organic farming experience to share with a WWOOFer. My practices revolve around a stream lined version of the French - Intensive method using low fossil fuel inputs. What you will have an opportunity to learn: 1. How to start a farm with a minimal Budget. 2. Direct marketing 3. Making compost tea. 4. Orchard management 5. Planting within the moon cycles. 6. Irrigation system in an arid environment I'm looking for WWOOFers at anytime of the year. Accommodation consist of a modest outdoor shelter, bring tent, shared kitchen, and shared bath house. Its a short bike ride to town. I speak a modest amount of Spanish. We eat a basic veggie diet with some meat.Santa Barbara is a fun & friendly place with plenty of sun shine year round. Ocean and mountain recreation activities abound. Best bet to communicate with us is by phone.

Learning opportunities

Vegetable farming

Fruit or nut farming

Host type

Production farm

Accommodation

2 WWOOFers

Campsite

Cabin / Mobile-home

Children not accepted

Pets not accepted

Meals

Omnivore

Vegetarian

Vegan

Length of stay

1-2 weeks

3-4 weeks

Over a month

Randy

Member since 2014

Languages spoken: English Response rate: 96% Response time: typically within 2 days

November 2025

Open

Planned visit

Closed

MapLibre | Protomaps | © OpenStreetMap

California

Reviews

Aaron

United States • June 2021

Randy, Dorothy, and their son Sespe were amiable, gracious, very easygoing, and incredibly knowledgeable and informative when it comes to farming. I worked with Randy Monday-Saturday, usually from about 8 or 8:30 AM to about 1 or 1:30 PM. We worked on harvesting, weeding, sowing, and selling zucchinis, corn, lemons, tangerines, cucumbers, and other wildflowers at the local Santa Barbara farmers market on Saturday. Randy is a storehouse of knowledge on how to do a non-monoculture, pesticide-free, and organic subsistence-based farming. On his 2 acres of land at both Red Horizon Farms and Magpie farms (his other farm an hour away), I learned a great deal about irrigation, fertilizing, harvesting, and tending to farms. Him and his wife were really sweet, mentored me through the farming process, and I would definitely stay with them (and hope to) again! If you are looking for someone with a wealth of knowledge (Randy and wife are friends with one of the catalysts and starters of the well-known documentary, The Biggest Little Farm,(https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8969332/), Randy and his family are the people to meet.

Taylor

United States • April 2021

This was my first WWOOFing experience and it was an overwhelmingly positive one. Randy and his wife, Dorothy, were very kind and welcoming. I learned a lot after just one day and I'd love to go back. The location is also good with nearby places to explore afterwards, though I think it is important to note that having a car made things much more accessible.

Melissa

United States • July 2019

Randy is a legend!! He is full of some much knowledge and has so much to teach for those truly wanting to learn. He works hard so expect to work hard too. He will assure a full belly and you smiling the whole way through. The location of Red Horizon doesnt get much better. You got the ocean in front of you and the mountains behind you. Anyone would be lucky to work side by side with this man.

Zack

United States • February 2017

Note: Randy doesn't need help urgently, he just can't figure out how to log on and change it because someone else made his account. Randy is a funny guy who is nice to hang out with outside working hours. He does have a lot of knowledge about farming and likes to share his stories and opinions about other subjects, too. He'll also share his spots around town with you. Unfortunately, my wife and I found it very difficult to work with him. Randy described himself as "bossy," while his friend noted he's "abrupt." I would add impatient and often rude. His actions the first week nearly prompted us to leave, but ultimately we decided to stick it out for another week. That next week went better but most of the working hours were not fun, and I do typically find farming fun, both wwoofing and regular farm work. Overall, I would say if you're a sensitive person don't go to Red Horizons, but if you're able to take criticism--mostly baseless--then go for a week or two and learn what you can.

Marissa

United States • March 2016

YAASSS!! Randy and his family are awesome. Living quarters could be updated, but with the nice weather in late February it was totally fine sleeping outside. Its essentially a tool shed with 2 and a half walls (give or take). I enjoyed it very much. Randy is an awesome dude, very laid back but we did some intense work (got an awesome workout!). He always made sure I had enough food, and was thorough in explaining the work we were doing and why we were doing it. I love Santa Barbara, the area is BEAUTIFUL. And Sespe, their son is one of the most amazing down to earth people I've ever met. :D RED HO!!!!!!

Ariel

United States • April 2015

Spent about a week on Randy's farm. Honestly the living arrangements are pretty cozy. Essentially you get a cabin. The other comment is right, Randy is a funny guy. He's a nice old fellow who found his purpose in life through farming. I respect that. One thing a wwoofer should know about wwoofing here is that you will have to do work. However, the work really isn't that bad. I can't really even imagine going to a farm and not expecting to at least do something. Just keep in mind that when you're wwoofing you are there to help someone with their livelihood. Also the surrounding city, Solvang, is beautiful. Inspired by Swedish architecture the town makes you feel like you're in another world. Overall it was a cool experience. I definitely would recommend wwoofing here for anybody who wants to learn. Randy has a lot to teach. Don't let his sense of humor fool you, Randy knows his stuff.