Diversified Permaculture, Maple syrup and Asparagus Farm
New York
Welcome to Our Permaculture Farm in the Tug Hill Region, Northern New York
Nestled among diverse forests, small fields, streams, and ponds, our partnership farm is guided by permaculture principles. We focus on building healthy soils and producing high-quality, artisanal foods. Our key crops include maple syrup, garlic, asparagus, fruits, nuts, and honey.
We are especially known for our Whole Maple Syrup, recognized globally for its exceptional quality and artisanal production methods.
We are looking for people that would like to stay long enough to learn our systems and have a true interest in small scale organic farming and permaculture production.
Current Projects
In February we are:
- Tapping Trees in the forest to collect sap.
- Bottling and labeling maple syrup.
- Cleaning and preparing the "sugar house" for boiling sap.
- Boiling sap into syrup.
- Maintaining farm infrastructure.
- General forest and trail care.
What It's Like to WWOOF With Us
We typically work 3 to 4 hours a day, 5 days a week, with flexibility based on weather. Workdays shift depending on the conditions—when the weather is extreme, there are often indoor tasks available in the WWOOFer house.
We often work together in the woods or sap house, but you're also welcome to work independently if you prefer. There's a strong culture of learning by doing, and we encourage curiosity and shared experience.
Accommodations & Meals:
WWOOFers stay in a dedicated, year-round WWOOFer house:
-Each person has a private room (one semi-private room is available as a temporary option)
-Shared kitchen and bathroom
-Internet access is available
-Food for all meals is provided, and WWOOFers prepare meals on their own or together depending on preferences. We occasionally share meals at the main farmhouse.
What to Bring:
- Warm waterproof clothing, especially if arriving in winter
- Waterproof calf height boots or gaiters and warm gloves
- A readiness to work in varying weather including cold and wet conditions ( we work outside year round ).
Methods & Certifications
-Permaculture
-Forest Gardening
-Wild Orchard Management
-Shallow Tillage
-Established Permaculture Operation
We encourage you to visit our: www.tapatree.com
to learn more about our land, philosophy, and practices.
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Forestry
Methods or systems
Permaculture
Mentoring opportunities
Woman-operated
Veteran-operated
Host type
Production farm
Former WWOOFer
167.9
Hectares
|
415
Acres
Paul
Member since 2021
Languages spoken:
English
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 100%
Response time: typically within 1 day
New York
Watertown New York
Reviews
Su
United States
•
February 2026
This is my first time doing volunteer at farm and I have great experience at farm. Paul is really nice person. I learned a lot about maple tree. Thank you Paul for giving me a chance to do volunteer at farm. I enjoyed my time at farm and would do the volunteer again if I get chance.
Jillian
United States
•
November 2025
My time here was so lovely! Paul is such a warm, knowledgeable, and accommodating host who wants you to learn and have fun doing it. His passion for what he does is so evident and contagious. All the folks in the crew are incredibly kind- and the syrup is life changing!
Manayo
Japan
•
August 2025
I joined WWOOF for the first time, and the three months I spent on this farm turned out to be an incredible experience. Paul, Jeri, and their family, as well as Deanna, welcomed me warmly, and I was able to feel at home right away. Since I am Japanese, my English was not always perfect, but everyone was very understanding and even tried to learn about my culture, such as songs from my country.
Paul is very knowledgeable about farming, and whenever I asked questions, he explained things kindly and in detail. He also helped me find work that suited me, so I could work at my own pace. I am truly grateful for that. Depending on the season, the crops and tasks change. (During my stay from May to August, I worked with maple syrup, asparagus, and garlic.) I thought it would be wonderful to visit again in a different season.
The WWOOFer house was clean and comfortable, with a TV and Wi-Fi. The kitchen was spacious, and I could cook whatever I liked. After work, I sometimes went to the beach at sunset, which was so relaxing. Meeting other WWOOFers was also one of the most valuable parts of my stay, and they have now become great friends.
I would highly recommend this farm to anyone considering a WWOOF experience. Thank you so much, Paul and everyone!
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Karima
United States
•
August 2025
We had an amazing time at this farm! This was our very first WWOOF experience, and we couldn’t have chosen a better place to start. From the moment we arrived, we felt completely at home — the environment is so warm and welcoming. Coming from the city, it was a totally new experience for us, but one filled with learning and growth. Paul is so enthusiastic about his farm and works so hard — it was inspiring to see how much he loves what he does. We got hands-on with cutting wood, cleaning garlic, and weeding in the asparagus nursery, and even got to enjoy a little beach day at Lake Ontario. We also got to try some of his amazing maple syrup, which was such a treat! On top of that, we really enjoyed spending time with the other WWOOFers and making delicious meals. It was both educational and rewarding, and we left with great memories, new skills, and so much appreciation for the farm and the farm lifestyle. We can’t wait to be back soon! :)
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Joyce
United States
•
July 2025
This was an extraordinary first wwoofing experience for me! Paul is so knowledgeable about the work and it's really inspiring to work with him. I felt so welcomed by Paul, Jeri, and Deanna - they're such wholesome people to be around. I learned a lot, having never lived on a farm before. The accommodations were also amazing - clean rooms and common room with giant tv. I didn't have a car and was still able to go to Lake Ontario and do a lot of hikes around. I couldn't have asked for a better experience.
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Benjamin
France
•
July 2025
I spent a few weeks at Paul’s farm and honestly, it was one of the best experiences I’ve had. The team is super friendly, the work is meaningful and varied, and there’s a real sense of community. I felt welcome from day one and learned a ton. If you’re thinking about WWOOFing for the first time, this is the perfect place to start. I 100% recommend it. You will meet great people, eat amazing food, and leave with a lot more than just farming skills.
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