Description
We moved to this rural area in June of 2003, and started by rebuilding our little communal 1951 house. We are a small (proudly uncertified) organic hobby farm, and we would never dream of using any chemicals. We are only two acres, but our goal is large... "To have 1,000 different types of edible and useful plants with walking pathways and self-guided plant identification signs open to the public". So far we are about one third of the way there. Through trial and error, we have finished planting over 300 types of plants including 140 types of fruits including young oriental persimmons, sub-tropical peaches, plums, nectarines, various citrus, a muscadine grape arbor, 25 gorgeous mature clumping bamboos, some spices & medicinals, a neglected small vegetable garden, ornamentals, butterfly garden, etc. We also have heritage breed chickens, and a friendly pig named Finster, that we never eat. We host vegetarian potluck parties irregularly and give guided garden tours often. We also publish many local plant lists (edible flowers, local fruit ripening charts, etc.). Our farm is supported by our cottage industry of bamboocraft, fossil collecting & wildcrafted items. NEEDED: Work exchange / Barter opportunity for up to three kind people. 2 hours a day (involves weeding, mulching, planting, watering, installing plant labels). In return we offer: Accomodations (private or shared room in the house, or a private air conditioned travel trailer, on a first come first served basis), full use of the communal house; fresh food from the garden (fresh fruits, a few veggies, alot of salad herbs, fresh heritage breed eggs (rescued chickens), lots of oranges and grapefruits in season), but not full meals. Those who want to eat freely from the pantry and farm kitchen are asked to work a total of three hours a day. Everyone will learn (in the field), about a wide variety of common & rare fruits, bamboos, herbs, perennial vegetables, etc., their culture, origin, propagation, etc. I am writing a book on Florida fruits and bamboos. All-vegetarian kitchen, shed/workshop, internet access, hammock, air conditioning, unlimited long distance phone service (within the U.S.), washing machine/laundry, communal garden spaces, salad herb garden, juicer, outdoor shower, large shade trees, and we have a canoe for the nearby Peace River. One hour drive to Weekly farmer;s market and Sunday night beach drum circles in upscale Sarasota. Semi-rural setting, often lazy atmosphere. Some optional, irregular, weekly paid work available including wildcrafting ($10/hr.). Come for a week or two... and once we both agree, the stay can be up to one year. No previous experience is necessary. Non-smokers only, please. This farm is heaven in the winter months, when the northern states are freezing, with average daily highs in the mid 70s. It is very hot, muggy, a little buggy and very rainy in the summer. We have a year round growing season! Please call the farm at 863-993-3228 and ask for Andy.
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