South Texas ranch focused on medicinal herbs, vegetables, adobe and glass bottle structures, & more
Texas
“Labor was the first price, the original purchase–money that was paid for all things. It was not by gold or by silver, but by labor, that all wealth of the world was originally purchased.” ~Adam Smith
Ranch video created by the Wwoof team: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUCwbRHtKI4
made during Dia de los Muertos celebrations❣️
❣ COVID REQUIREMENTS:❣
1. Upon arrival: Leave all baggage outside. It will be sprayed with a fine mist of alcohol, as you will! Once sundried, take it directly to your sleeping quarters. Immediately shower, and change clothes❣
2. Everyone, all ages, must wear a mask when others are present indoors❣
3. Use the sanitizer provided immediately upon exiting your sleeping quarters, prior to touching anything else.
4. Use the sanitizer provided before entering and upon exiting the bathroom area. Use the disposable toilet seat covers when sharing the facility. Spray shower each time you use it with the provided cleaner❣
5. Keep your distance from anyone on the property, including other wwoofers! Do not invade the space, and privacy, of others. Wait to be invited into their space. Respect boundaries❣
Carrying forth through each endeavor with love is paramount! If you hold anger, negativity, ask for help in releasing it, before moving forward with a task ❤
At the ranch, we celebrate EVERYTHING! The Ranch provides history, plants, land and opportunity! There is plenty to do here! It is a beautiful and peaceful area in which we are interested in planting more medicinal herbs and vegetables in the Chakra Garden, building an Inca style terraced garden vineyard, an earth block/ glass gazebo and other projects listed herein.
It also houses a film studio. There are opportunities for those with experience in the film industry and associated technology, ie editing, graphics, photoshop, etc.
Projects include: create structures of adobe and glass bottles such as a gazebo with a sink and an outdoor shower; building a completely self-sustained building with sod brick walls - gravel trench floors - and water catchment roof; create a walking path through our Norwegian Woods; build an earth block sweat lodge alongside an outdoor fire pit (which may also be used as a barbecue!) There is an old fountain in the Crown Chakra that we would like to refurbish into circular seating! We have plenty of materials but are looking for help in turning dreams into reality!
We welcome everyone, and have hosted many first time wwoofers! Folks with engineering, electrical, plumbing, and structure building skills are most welcome, too! When contacting us, please let us know how you plan to contribute to this amazing space and what skills you have to share.
We are in South Texas, so be prepared for hot afternoons most months. Starting early in the day is usually a good idea! Some wwoofers prefer to contribute every day for shorter time periods, and take the afternoons off. This can certainly be discussed! We want happy people!!
San Antonio is a vibrant and fun city! There are bus lines close by that take you anywhere in the city: The Alamo and downtown, Six Flags, La Cantera, the airport, Sea World, Fredericksburg Park (with great trails), Farmers Markets. There are grocery and health food stores closeby!
Putting our hands to the earth and creating a natural life is a favorite past time here! As well as creating documentaries that bring peace, and awareness of alternate, sustainable, environment friendly lifestyles to the world!
Wwoofers stay in the guest house/art studio. It is a shared space at times. Specifically, kitchen, dining, and less often- the bathroom, are common areas. Your sleeping quarters will not be entered. Food is provided, and while some meals are prepared for you, you will prepare most of your own meals. Wwoofers are expected to keep their living space clean and tidy. This includes keeping the kitchen clean and making sure all dishes are washed, DAILY! Wet towels may be hung outside to dry, just not on the furniture please! Muddy or gardening / chicken coop shoes will be left on the driveway, prior to entering the walkway to your lodging. Most people use flipflops/ sandals from there.
Wwoofers need to send a copy of a government issued ID (drivers lisence /passport), once a visit is confirmed.
++ Please know this, while we are generous with lodging and food and providing other experiences for you (i.e. visiting with local Ecology, Environment, and Sustainable Energy companies, and gatherings to meet other locals), we view this fully as an exchange, and learning opportunity for all. We encourage positive energy🌻
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Poultry farming
Wild foraging
Aromatic or medicinal plants, teas
Seed saving or production
Meat processing
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Traditional crafts
Green Building
Methods or systems
Biological pest control
Biodynamic agriculture
Permaculture
Host type
Self-sufficiency property
0.8
Hectares
|
2
Acres
Accommodation
Patty
Member since 2015
Languages spoken:
English, Spanish
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 33%
Response time: typically within 7 days
Texas
Reviews
Madison
United States
•
May 2021
We arrived at the farm with intentions on staying for 2 weeks. We agreed that we would sleep in our camper and use her bathroom / kitchen area. Once we were settled in she tells us that we can’t enter her home at all or for any reason. Although we can be self sufficient living in our camper, tanks need dumped eventually and propane isn’t cheap. She provided us a dirty styrofoam cooler that had random frozen foods IE hamburger buns, lemons, and muffins. Ultimately not meeting the guidelines for Wwoof. Our work included burying dead chickens, weeding 5 acres in 2 days, changing horrific water bowls from all animal pens. We found multiple dead animals at the bottom of those bowls. At this point we were reaching out to other wwoof farms to leave Ranch Gardens - luckily we found another place to go. We could have given the place more of a chance but we felt uncomfortable and disrespected. She claimed to have educational and fun activities planned but this was only brought up when we told her we were thinking about leaving. Overall we wouldn’t recommend coming here, the host is hard to get along with and the animals on the farm live in sad conditions. You will not have a wholesome experience here.
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Reply from Patty
First of all, as I stated in your review, you both were not as mature as your profile would lead us to believe. We were impressed at what you teenagers seemed to accomplished. Further, you stated a couple of times that you were totally self contained in your RV and did not need to go inside the guesthouse which is our normal wwoofing accommodation. So, we allowed a friend to stay there who had recently had surgery so we could look after her before she returned home. As I told you when you arrived, she was there for 3 days and you only had one day to go before you left the premises. You were provided water and electricity and an ice chest, albeit rained on because it was left outdoors, but, it was clean inside and it worked. Further, it was full of fruits, veggies, cheeses, breads and drinks. Further we brought a shopping bag full of grains, purple barley, farrow, quinoa, oats, bananas, zucchini, and much more. It was quite up to wwoof standards, though perhaps not yours. As stated in your review, you were both arrogant and smug. And difficult to talk to.
We explained to you that the duck water and pig water got dirty very quickly, but as it had just rained for several days, it was worse than usual. Changing animal waters is a regular occurrence anywhere you find farm animals. Yet, you complained about the chore.
We also explained to you that natural rat poison, safe for animals, is put out regularly, and recently. And, told you dead rats had been seen around. You did find a few. Which ought to be a shout out! Yet, you turned it into a negative experience.
As stated in our profile, we offer classes around the city on environment, conservation, permaculture, sustainability, and more, as well as social experiences to all wwoofers. This is nothing new. Your comments indicate that you did not read our profile.
As described in your review, your negligence, the least of which was breaking Ranch property and not telling us, and wastefulness was overwhelming, so we canceled your visit after 2 days.
Girls, please practice patience and mindfullness! And, maintain a positive attitude!
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Avery
United States
•
April 2021
We had mixed feelings about wwoofing at Ranch Gardens. On one hand, our living quarters were really beautiful and comfortable, the dogs were fun to hang out with, we learned about foraging, and Patty was nice and made us food at times:)
However we were a bit mislead because we both wanted to be involved with farming and getting healthy food out to the community. We ended up mainly doing yard work, property maintenance, and a little bit of animal care.
The work itself was fine, however we wanted to volunteer to learn more about agricultural work and green farming methods.
In all, we are grateful for Patty's hospitality and the insights she taught us. San Antonio was a interesting place to learn about and the property itself is pretty historic:)
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Reply from Patty
We are pleased that you all enjoyed your stay at the ranch. I new that you would. Most do!
However, I have a problem with certain things that you said. For instance, that you did not have an opportunity to do more things and learn more. You changed your visit from 2 months to 2 weeks. Because, Avery, you said, wwoofing and going to school was just too much for you to handle altogether. Therefore, I agreed to let you guys head on home after 2 weeks.
As indicated in our conversations, the first task was to trim away all the dead and brown left from the severe winter blizzard we experienced.
As you will recall, I had things scheduled for you guys to do, including culling chickens which I had scheduled but had to cancel because of your mid-terms. And there were other things that were scheduled that you did not get to do due to shortening your commitment at the ranch.. Which also by the way, interfered with other wwoofers attending since we only take 2 at a time! We turned away people because you scheduled to be there 2 months.
We recommend being mindful of your decisions and actions in the future!
Good luck with school!
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Molly
United States
•
February 2021
We ended up staying our entire two week commitment at Ranch Gardens for several reasons, including COVID and a desire to support Patrice and the animals. Unfortunately, we cannot in good conscience recommend Ranch Gardens to other wwoofers.
Patrice often entered the “guest house” without warning, including once around 4 am and early another morning while we were still in bed. There was rat poop in the upstairs loft and many moldy/expired things in the fridge. When we tried to clean it, we were made to stop and chastised over this throughout our two week stay. Patrice dwelled on mistakes, bringing them up frequently. It felt like we were constantly berated, which made it hard to stay excited about the work. Although we expressed preferring to eat vegetarian, Patrice cooked us large portions of meat and later got upset, blaming us for wasting the food. Patrice mostly did other work inside, texting us instructions. This is challenging if you don't like to always have your phone with you. Communication in general was often unclear, contradictory or simply not present—once, Patrice left to go to the vet and didn’t return overnight until late the next day, without ever telling us where she was or when to expect her back.
Overall, our stay at Ranch Gardens was extremely challenging and often very stressful. We enjoyed the plentiful time off to explore San Antonio and the surrounding area, but unfortunately, this was one of the few positives of the experience.
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Reply from Patty
I am sad that you girls were unhappy. You certainly did not appear to be!
When you arrived, it was made clear, I thought, that the kitchen and corresponding patio were common areas. It was even written on paper and posted in the guest house! I only entered a few times, when I thought it would least inconvenience you two.
I told you that we had expelled rats from the ranch a while back. And that there may be residue from having them. Apparently you forgot!
After a few days, it became clear ya'll would not remember steps given to complete a given task. Hence, texting ensued. I verbally said to you that audio and visual may be best for you to remember what needed to be done. Molly agreed. Yet, while you both worked very hard, still, tasks were not completed as outlined. I began to wonder if you were stoned all the time! I had to repeat myself quite often. Your review is a list of items you misrepresent, based on you not remembering!
You expressed an interest in processing chickens, so I brought someone over to teach you. Photos are on the ranch profile page. You also said you would like to try one. So, I cooked one that you processed.for you. Isabel, you said that you would strip it and put the meat in the refrigerator. Instead, you left it sitting on the kitchen counter and it spoiled. This is the only experience with meat that you had at the ranch. Did you forget all this?
I made it clear upon your arrival, which you acknowledged at the time, that I recently had surgery and could not lift very much and needed to rest a lot. Is this something that you forgot as well?
I do not and did not "chastise"! Staying positive is paramount! As we discussed. Do you remember that I often praised your work? Negativity is not welcomed on the premises!
Again, I am terribly saddened that you did not enjoy your stay at the ranch. Because you certainly seemed to. You even thanked me. I hope you enjoyed the going away party I had for you before you left. It was a chilly evening, but the firepit was nice, and the food I prepared, including fresh hummus, and drinks warmed us! How did you like the gin aged in whiskey barrels, Isabel?
I am pleased you chose to visit us. You certainly worked hard, and seemed aimed to please. We are especially grateful for the love and compassion exhibited by Molly!
May I recommend that you both keep a pencil and small notebook with you and write down, and frequently refer to, the direction given by future woof hosts!
Safe travels. Stay well and be happy!
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Ella
United Kingdom
•
May 2019
I had such a lovely week at the Jackson ranch! Patrice is an awesome lady, she made me feel very at home. Her home is really special and she can tell you so many cool stories about it’s history (and her own life!!). I learnt a lot. San Antonio is an amazing city, I would really recommend visiting, and the ranch is a good base from which to do that.
Reply from Patty
Thank you, Ella❣️ We thoroughly enjoyed your visit. You are welcome at our home, anytime🌻
Evan
United States
•
February 2019
Patty is an incredible human. Work was reasonable and collaborative. I do wish I had more time to spend on the ranch as I have a lot to learn from people like Patty and I hope everyone who stays appreciates what she has to offer.
Reply from Patty
Thank you Evan! Your commitment to doing a good job each time you worked on the property was obvious and appreciated. You accomplished so much in your short stay here. Please visit any time❣️
Clay
United States
•
August 2018
Ranch Gardens is a wonderful place! It is like a hidden palace in a city. Lots of history and sights to see. Patty is a wonderful host and is very down to earth. She will take good care of you! It is a peaceful property but comes with projects! 10/10 would visit again!
Reply from Patty
Thank you so much Clay! You are a valuable asset to the wwoof community and we welcome you back anytime❣️
