This historic small farm consists of 54 hilly acres of managed forest and pasture just north of Brattleboro, Vermont. The farmhouse is about 250 years old and retains its historic interior, but has modern kitchen and bathroom facilities. We raise Icelandic sheep, the requirements of which vary depending on the time of year, and carry out a range of other farm activities, including forestry, gardening, and endlessly constructing and repairing things. There are two of us here: Matthew is a professor of rural sociology who earlier studied organic farming at UC Santa Cruz. He lived for 5 years in Norway, where he taught at an agricultural college. Patti is a naturalist, author, and wildlife rehabilitator. She spends more time roaming the woods than on the farm.
At the current time, WWOOFers will be living in the house with us. We have two guest rooms that will be available to WWOOFers. Anyone who prefers to camp is welcome to. On most days, WWOOFers will help themselves to breakfast and sometimes lunch depending on the work schedule that day. Dinner we will normally prepare and eat together. Patti is a vegetarian, so meals always involve vegetarian options.
Farm activities vary with the seasons. We will try to make a work plan according to each WWOOFers skills, what they want to learn, and what kind of experience they are hoping to have. The length of time a WWOOFer is staying will also affect what it is possible for them to learn and therefore what kind of tasks they will have. (The longer the stay, the more opportunity there will be for a WWOOFer to learn advanced skills and to take on responsibility. Shorter stays might mean simpler physical work, like stacking firewood or dragging brush.) WWOOFers are expected to work approximately 4 hours per day on average. Some days it might be 8 hours, other days it might be little or no work. To the greatest extent possible, we will plan the work schedule each week so that WWOOFers can know in advance when and how much they will be working and which days they can take off entirely. We hope that WWOOFers will take advantage of days off to explore the area and surrounding towns. Those coming for a longer stay will have the opportunity to meet friends and neighbors and to engage socially in the community.
WWOOFers should make sure to bring multiple changes of work clothes that they don't might getting dirty, was well as work boots or hiking boots. After a visit request has been accepted, we will talk on the phone to make sure you bring appropriate clothes for whatever the particular season is.
SEASONAL UPDATE (mid-August 2026): Starting at the end of August, I (Matthew) need to be at the college for most of the day on Mon., Tues., Thurs., and Fri. This means that throughout September and October, shared work time will be mostly on weekends, Wednesdays, and early evenings. During the times that I am at campus, WWOOFers will either have to work independently at tasks that have been laid out in advance or be happy relaxing and exploring on their own. It would be ideal for WWOOFers to have a car so that they can take time off to explore the area on weekdays.
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Sheep or goat farming
Forestry
Wild foraging
Green Building
Food justice / sovereignty
Mechanics / tools / technology
Methods or systems
Regenerative agriculture
Rotational grazing
Host type
Production farm
Former WWOOFer
21.9
Hectares
|
54
Acres
