I live on the Keweenaw Peninsula in Upper Michigan, near Lake Superior, with my dog Bianca and cat Tux. My homestead is surrounded by native plants, which I raise to support pollinators and wildlife. I am a member of Wild Ones and I participate in two conservation plans with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to build wildlife habitats and add trees for wildlife.
Learning Opportunities:
I need help with property maintenance, including WEEDING, mowing, keeping trails open (clearing fallen trees), removing invasive plants, BUILDING BRUSH PILES for wildlife, and planting tree saplings. I also need help in the greenhouse (14'x24' with shelving for 64 trays of plants) with tasks like WATERING, TRANSPLANTING, sales, and farmers' markets.
I have a few beds with native species, which I call my "Learning/Teaching Gardens", and I'd like to expand them with more plants and labels.
I'm a 4th-grade teacher and had an alpaca farm in New Mexico for 10 years, where we hosted many WWOOFers. I'm still learning about gardening in this climate, so we'd be learning together.
I can teach you about alpaca fiber processing, spinning, and weaving. I also quilt, make jam from wild blackberries on my property, and bake sourdough bread.
Food and Accommodations:
The RV you'll be staying in is 21 feet long, fully equipped, and has a queen-size bed and a full kitchen. During the school year, you'll need to prepare your own breakfast and lunch. I'll usually make a crockpot meal for dinner. I don't eat much meat and try to use garden produce as much as possible, depending on the season. I enjoy cooking when I have time, and I'm always open to trying new dishes if you like to cook.
Schedule:
We'll discuss a plan during dinner the night before. The workday will typically be four to six hours, and may be split between mornings and late afternoons. During the school year, you may work independently while I'm teaching. Some tasks may require us to work together, and we can do those after I get home. In the summer, our schedule will be more flexible, with time for both hard work and rest.
Hobbies and Opportunities to Explore the Area:
Greetings from the Keweenaw! If you love the outdoors, you'll find plenty to do here. I'm an active member of the Wild Ones and often promote and sell native plants at farmers' markets. I also belong to the Buellwood Weaver and Fiber Guild and enjoy all things fiber-related. During the summer, I love attending local events, berry picking, making jams and bread, and enjoying the bounty of my garden. Last October, I planted a willow patch to grow my own willow for weaving baskets and other garden art.
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Learning opportunities
Viticulture
Forestry
Flower farming
Seed saving or production
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Bakery
Traditional crafts
Mentoring opportunities
LGBTQ+-operated
Host type
Self-sufficiency property
3.2
Hectares
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8
Acres
