Organic market garden in the heart of the Arkansas Ozark Mountains
Arkansas
Thanks for your interest in our organic market garden in the heart of the Arkansas Ozark Mountains. This year (2020) marks the 36th year of growing blueberries, vegetables, and cut flowers for local markets; for most of those years, enthusiastic young people have helped us prune, plant, weed, harvest, and market during the summer months. Working alongside one another in the garden, sharing stories and visions, eating delicious fresh food, enjoying the great natural beauty here….all these are the real reasons we moved here! We meet many people who are looking for an alternative to a stressed-out urban lifestyle divorced from nature. We hope to pass on some valuable horticultural and marketing skills that have made it possible to live in the open countryside while providing healthy produce and beautiful flowers for our customers and friends in town.
We have 4-5 season-long interns that live with us here on the farm, and WWOOFer's work alongside these young people and the owners Monday through Friday. Our interns help at Market in Fayetteville on Saturdays, selling produce and making bouquets. WWOOFer's are welcome to come and check out the Market as well; it's a fun time! We generally eat breakfast and lunch together (on a cooking rotation) in the main house or in the guest house, and suppers are on your own in the guest house. Once the weather is warm, we take a long break at lunch (1-3 p.m.) for rest, swimming in the clear creek, or yoga (instruction available!). Our WWOOFer's are asked to participate in the morning work session, with afternoons off unless they wish to continue with the crew. The area is beautiful; we live on a dead-end road surrounded by forest, right on a clear mountain stream. The work is strenuous, we have chiggers and ticks (but few mosquitos). But we are friendly and open-minded, with a lot of international experience.
We are not able to accept volunteers with children or pets at this time.
Each morning after breakfast we have a 5 minute silent meditation and a brief check-in with how everyone is doing that day, before we begin our work organizing for the day.
1. Please refrain from any unnecessary harm or killing of plants, animals, or insects.
2. Please refrain from taking anything that is not yours.
3. Please refrain from using harsh language, or engaging in harmful gossip about your garden team, visitors, or customers.
4. Please refrain from making any unwelcome sexual comments, gestures, or advances toward your garden team members, visitors, or customers.
5. Please refrain from taking intoxicants during our work periods together.
Organic methods: certified organic inputs only
Certifications: certified by the Oklahoma Department of Food Safety (ODAFF)
Internet access available
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Flower farming
Host type
Production farm
Certified organic
16.2
Hectares
|
40
Acres
Accommodation
Mark
Member since 2017
Languages spoken:
English, French, German, Spanish
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 91%
Response time: typically within 5 days
Arkansas
Reviews
Margaret
United States
•
June 2025
On my way from Mpls to here I counted 204 roadkill. Anyway, Mark and Mike were amazing hosts! There were 5 dogs there at the time and 3 cats which if you’re lucky enough to find give them some kisses. Mark is a really good musician, you’d be lucky to hear or play with him.
I spent my days working the morning shifts and then sitting by the creek or on the workers porch reading. We did a lot
of irrigation work and planting for the new season which was fun and something I didn’t know so much about! One of my last days there we floated the creek which I would super recommend.
Definitely very remote but the Kings River gas station was a favorite for me and the other workers. we also ended up spending most evenings playing cards or dice games. overall I wanted to spend time outside and someplace other than the midwest and this was the perfect place for that. I hope to
come back one day!
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Andy
United States
•
April 2025
Everything about WWOOFING this farm is fantastic. From the housing accommodations, to hosts, region, and all the wonderful people you meet along the way, every aspect exceeds expectations. Mark has expert, well-rounded knowledge on farming with organic methods, world cultures and general life in the Ozarks. The farm provides opportunities for community and seclusion, tranquility and adventure, teaching and learning. Fayetteville is a wonderful town as well, I highly recommend going to the farmers' market with the team on Saturdays - it's a great way to end the week.
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Brooke
United States
•
April 2025
This was an absolutely amazing farm to volunteer on! My partner and I were on the farm for almost two months overall in 2024- June into July and October. The hosts, Mark and Mike, are so so kind, knowledgeable, caring, and witty. There were two interns, one from Peru and one from Sri Lanka who we both became good friends with. We worked alongside them and learned from them. There were also some other WWOOFers there at certain points that we got to meet. We learned how to seed and harvest multiple kinds of flowers and vegetables; potatoes, carrots, gladiolus, marigold, tomatoes, garlic, cilantro, bok choy, zinnias, lilies, AND SO MUCH MORE! We helped paint a barn and did some general cleaning and maintenance. There are dogs, cats, wildlife, and a healing creek. Food was provided to cook with for meals, and everyone cooked lunch on a schedule throughout the week. There's a guesthouse with private bedrooms, shared bathrooms, and communal kitchen. We were always welcome to join them at the farmers market and really dove into their beautiful community. I could truly go on and on. I highly recommend this farm to anyone really wanting to learn the inside operation of a successful organic farm, have an open mind, a good attitude, and a willingness to WORK and be present! If you come with all of that, there's no way you won't take skills and memories that will serve you for LIFE!
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Lisa
Germany
•
March 2025
What a great farm stay!
This farm fully embodies the core idea of WWOOFing. You learn a lot about sustainable agriculture: from preparing beds, seeding and planting to harvesting. I also had the opportunity to attend the annual Farmer Market meeting and gain insights into issues that farmers are currently facing. That was super interesting and I’m glad they gave me the chance to participate.
Mark and Michael's hospitality was outstanding. I was able to stay very comfortably in the guest house and lunch was always delicious - but most of all they made me feel like part of the family, which I really appreciated.
I met great people and explored the nature of Arkansas in my free time - hiking is a must here, it's beautiful!
I really hope to come back one day.
Thank you, Mark and Michael, for this wonderful time!
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Josh
United States
•
November 2024
My time at this farm and the connection formed with Mark was such an inspirational and fulfilling experience. Even for a shoulder season, there was so much to learn, and plenty of good work to get into. This truly is a special place. Come with a curious mind, and an eagerness/willingness to contribute to their beautiful community, and you will have an amazing stay! Deep gratitude and respect for my hosts and our time together. Until we meet again! Thank you!
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Jet
United States
•
November 2024
Couple 2.5 week review
Volunteering at this organic farm was an unforgettable experience that blended meaningful work, luxurious accommodations, and a deeply nurturing environment. My partner and I were housed in a charming guesthouse reserved for volunteers and interns, offering a level of comfort and care that exceeded our expectations. Sharing the space with the farm's irresistibly friendly pets — three mischievous yet adorable cats and three affectionate dogs — added a cozy, homely touch to our stay.
The farm itself was stunning, primarily focused on the cultivation and sale of fresh-cut flowers, but also rich with a variety of fruits and vegetables. Our tasks included harvesting late-season vegetables like carrots, kohlrabi, Chinese cabbage, and leafy greens, as well as sowing cover crops of wheat and peas. These hands-on experiences gave us a profound appreciation for sustainable agriculture and the cycles of nature.
What truly made this experience stand out were the hosts: two wise, generous individuals whose passion for life, farming, and community was both inspiring and transformative. They freely shared their knowledge and stories, enriching our time on the farm with thoughtful conversations and invaluable lessons.
Even amidst a major period of transition, we felt welcomed and valued. Witnessing how this peaceful, productive environment fosters personal growth and connection was deeply moving. This farm is not just a place to volunteer — it’s a place to thrive.
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