Our ranch is a hidden desert oasis located in the canyonlands near Death Valley National Park. Historically it was a water stop on the Old Spanish Trail between Santa Fe and Los Angeles. Today it is a date farm and tourism destination, we also serve as a trail head for hikers exploring the Amargosa River and adjacent public lands. We are farming sustainably 25 acres of date palms, and produce over 50,000 lbs. of the sweet fruit annually. We also have a gift shop and bakery here where we sell our goods to the general public. We do it all here; start and grow our own trees, hand pollenate, tend, harvest, sort, grade, and package our dates which we sell primarily right here at the ranch.
Visitors will learn about, and help with, all aspects of date culture, as well as the realities of running a successful small farm in an isolated. rural area. We can house 6 visitors during the cool months, October through April, and 4 in the hot months, May through September. Visitors stay in a large 2 bedroom double wide mobile home and an adjacent cabin. We allow the visitors to pick out their own groceries and we pay for them, visitors can either cook together or individually if they prefer. In exchange we ask for 5 hours a day, 5 days a week of work, the rest of the time can be spent hiking and exploring our unique and beautiful setting. Visitors can either drive here or get to Las Vegas , Nevada where we will pick them up and return them on their departure day. We ask for a minimum of a 10 day stay, beyond that it is open ended, as long as both parties are content.
A stint here is real work, and may not be a good fit for some one who does not like physical labor or is afraid to get dirty occasionally. it may test you a bit, but you will be stronger for it and learn something about yourself.
As summer ends and we head into the harvest season, we could use at least 3 more volunteers! The weather will be cooling in September, and the dramatic and historical landscape here is wonderful for hikers of all abilities. Contact us for a stint in the Mojave Desert, it will be a unique and memorable experience!
Organic methods: No pesticides/herbicides. Organic fertilizer.
Certifications: We grow non-certified Organic dates
Internet access available
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Learning opportunities
Fruit or nut farming
Host type
Production farm
88.2
Hectares
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218
Acres
