Alaskan Native woman-operated family peony farm and wedding venue
Alaska
Hello WWOOFers!
Thank you for considering Lazy Mountain Acres as the location for your Alaska WWOOF adventure. Nestled between Lazy Mountain and the Matanuska River in Palmer, our 39-acre peony farm and wedding venue offers a beautiful blend of natural scenery, hands-on learning, and thoughtful service—an ideal place to experience authentic Alaskan farm life.
ABOUT LAZY MOUNTAIN ACRES
Lazy Mountain Acres is a female-owned, Alaska Native–owned, family-run farm and event venue located just 45 miles from Anchorage. The property reflects years of dedication and passion, thoughtfully shaped to integrate with the breathtaking Alaskan landscape. From panoramic mountain views to tranquil meadows and forested pathways, this land captures the essence of Alaska’s natural beauty while offering a welcoming and comfortable environment for guests and volunteers.
Our Farm
We are a growing peony operation with 2,500 peony roots across 14 varieties. Our peonies are sold to wholesalers and florists in Alaska and out-of-state locations served by Alaska Air Cargo.
WWOOFers will gain hands-on experience in all aspects of peony production, including:
+Spring field prep, weeding, fertilizing, and removing side shoots
+Harvesting early varieties from mid- to late-June
+Cutting buds at the correct maturity stage
+Sorting, hydrating, cleaning, and refrigerating stems
+Packing and preparing shipments for transport to the airport
We also maintain organic vegetable and flower gardens. Additional learning opportunities may include:
+Vegetable gardening and greenhouse care
+Caring for chickens
+Seed collection and saving
+Food preservation, jam and jelly making
+Tool and equipment cleaning/repair
+Processing logs into benches, fencing, and firewood
We use only organic fertilizers and compost, hand-weed, utilize barrier cloth, and never use pesticides or herbicides. While not certified organic, we follow organic practices as fully as possible.
Our Wedding Venue
Lazy Mountain Acres is also a breathtaking Alaska wedding venue, offering couples an unforgettable setting for their celebration. Our event spaces reflect the same values we bring to our farm—care, hospitality, and deep connection to the surrounding landscape. This enchanting setting provides a pristine backdrop for weddings from June through September.
The property includes three outdoor wedding sites and a 40' x 80' pavilion decorated with chandeliers, vintage-style Edison lighting, and white sheer drapes. There are two residences attached to the main house, available for wedding party and vacation rentals.
ACCOMMODATIONS FOR WOOFERS
WWOOFers stay in our three-bedroom, two-bathroom guest house, fully equipped with a kitchen and stocked with groceries for self-prepared meals.
+Two bedrooms each accommodate up to two WWOOFers
+A third room is reserved for our caretaker
+Camping in personal tents or an RV is welcome for those who prefer it
We offer transportation to and from Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage. We also enjoy hosting occasional family-style dinners and BBQs when farm schedules allow.
WHAT WE EXPECT FROM OUR WWOOFERS
+Ability to work 20–30 hours per week, depending on farm needs
+Good physical condition; able to lift 40 lbs
+Basic ability with hand tools (shovel, rake, hammer, drill) or willingness to learn
+Familiarity with lawn mowers, weed whackers, or other small equipment is helpful
+Optional learning experience with farm equipment, including 4-wheelers, riding mowers, and a backhoe
+Appropriate clothing for all weather—Southcentral Alaska can be hot, cold, rainy, or windy, sometimes all in the same day!
FREE TIME & LOCAL ADVENTURE
We encourage WWOOFers to explore the region and schedule three consecutive days off whenever possible for trips and adventures.
Nearby activities include:
+Hiking Lazy Mountain, Matanuska Peak, or Pioneer Peak
+Exploring Hatcher Pass and its historic mines
+Visiting Denali National Park
+Local four-wheeler tours
+Fishing, camping, and wildlife viewing
+Berry picking in August—a local favorite
We look forward to sharing our beautiful corner of Alaska with you!
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Poultry farming
Wild foraging
Flower farming
Seed saving or production
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Traditional crafts
Mentoring opportunities
Woman-operated
BIPOC-operated
Host type
Production farm
15.8
Hectares
|
39
Acres
Accommodation
Barbara
Member since 2021
Languages spoken:
English
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 89%
Response time: typically within 4 days
Alaska
Ted Stevens International Airport
Reviews
Andy
Germany
•
May 2026
My time at Lazy Mountain Acres was one of the best wwoofing experiences I had so far, it was the perfect mix of working on fun projects, learning new things, socializing and meeting amazing people. Barbara and her family make you feel at home right away and are super welcoming. There is a variety of different projects to do from weeding, planting, generel land scaping to bigger projects like working in the shop and help organize. Whatever you end up doing Barabra is very open, knowledgable and a great teacher. I had a lot fun of fun, made great memories and new friends in my short time at lazy mountain acres, and I would love to come back again
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Reply from Barbara
Thanks Andy 😊 Come back anytime!
Danica
United States
•
October 2025
My stay at the farm was a great time! Barbra and everyone else on the farm were super nice and friendly people. The farm is an absolutely beautiful places, beautiful views all around. I really enjoyed my stay!
Eden
United States
•
October 2025
So kind and welcoming here! Barbara was very hospitable and understanding. This was my first wwoofing adventure and it was definitely better than expected!
Elizabeth
United States
•
September 2025
I had a great time! Work was manageable as it was generally off-season for peonies in August, and Barbara and her family are friendly and accommodating. The surrounding area is gorgeous-- my morning walks next to the mountains and hayfields were a highlight.
Special thank yous to Barbara, Pat and Kaylynn for working with me to make my trip so fulfilling and special!
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Edward
United States
•
August 2025
Barbara was a wonderful host and extremely accommodating to my partner and I! She did her best to provide us with relevant tasks despite the fact that it was nearing the end of the season, and gave us great recommendations for ways to spend time in the Palmer area.
Reply from Barbara
Hi Edward - Sorry I missed the time period to write a review. I loved hosting you guys and would love to have you come back again! Barbara
Lorenzo
United States
•
July 2025
Barbara is such an incredible host and truly has a heart of gold. She is so welcoming, patient, and caring for all that she accepts into her home. We were able to balance helping around on the farm with adventures in the surrounding area and explorations of other areas of Alaska. Truly such a gift to be a part of the community she has built!
