Our big Straw Bale House where the Blue Ridge Parkway meets Virginia's Skyline Drive.
Virginia
Hello Woofers, I am Mary Elizabeth and am married to David. We are a committed Couple and both just beginning our senior years at age 70. We have been hosting traveling guests and newcomers for several years since our two adult children are living independently. We have a big beautiful Husky dog, Buddy and a very independent cat, named Felix and are a LGBTQ welcoming family.
We have built our unique family home and resurrected this property to be what we share today. We want you to feel at home and welcome you to learn about geo-thermal heating and eco-friendly building methods, as well as local farming in the beautiful, verdant Rockfish Valley of Nelson County. We have lived here since 2000 and happy to be your hosts. We can much provide local information that is of interest to you. You’ll be learning much about our straw-bale home construction and it's R-50 natural insulation. We are very familiar with all the area offers including the Shenandoah Valley and local communities.
Our daily attention goes to the kitchen garden needs in cultivation and harvesting seasons. The surrounding grounds need care of the trees and pasture throughout the growing season. We have a large brood of chickens that spend the summer in the fenced pasture on the north side and the winter months on the south side in the garden after it has been harvested. Their roosting home is called a "Chicken Tractor" and is on wheels to be moved as needed Collecting eggs and providing feed are daily needs with fresh hay required regularly. These are the regular daily activities of our farm we invite you to participate with.
Our free range hens provide fresh eggs for sale and nutritious meals. We typically have a fresh smoothie drink to start our day - with fresh fruit, almond milk and kale or wheat grass! Our pantry is stocked with cereal, and non-perishable grocery items for lunch and our dinner in usually a prepared and shared meal. We have a big modern kitchen and shared eating space.
Accomodations can be identified by joint decision and chosen between an outdoor Yurt or and indoor single room.
I am learning to develop my artistic skills and have recently become a Master Gardener and work in multiple gardens. David has taught himself to play piano and is devoted daily to his Eckankar spiritual studies.
The surrounding area has much to offer including hiking, skiing, and local arts. Farm markets, live music, and many wineries, breweries, and cideries are along the way. We can direct you to an unlimited array but we now mostly just love to relax and hang out at this big lovely estate.
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Poultry farming
Aromatic or medicinal plants, teas
Green Building
Renewable energy production
Methods or systems
Holistic management
No-till farming
Permaculture
Regenerative agriculture
Rotational grazing
Host type
Self-sufficiency property
28.3
Hectares
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70
Acres
Mary Elizabeth
Member since 2025
Languages spoken:
English
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Response rate: 100%
Response time: typically within 1 day
Virginia
Both Staunton and Charlottesville, Virginia have Amtrak stations. Charlottesville has intercity bus and regional airport
Reviews
Philippine
France
•
January 2026
I had an amazing time with Mary and Dave! Their house/farm is amazing and they welcomed me so well. It was a very enriching experience, both for the work I was able to do and these 2 amazing persons I met. I hope I’ll be able to come back 🥰
Taylor
United States
•
January 2026
I WWOOFed on Mary and Dave's farm for only two weeks, but I really enjoyed my time there. I was their first WWOOFer. Their home is cozy and beautiful, and both their cat and dog are friendly. I was lucky enough to get to observe one of Mary's Master Gardener meetings. She is a wonderful and kind person and I learned a lot. I loved helping with Dave's flock of chickens although I wasn't there long enough to see the ones we incubated hatch. He says what's on his mind and he is very upbeat. Also, their friends and neighbors are so sweet! If you have any specific questions about working there, please reach out.
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