Island in the salish sea - USA lopez island - Volunteers Base - Free Volunteering and Work Exchange Opportunities.

Location: lopez island, United States

we can always use help harvesting and gleaning, firewood, fencing, house painting and repair, cleaning, help on the boat, & joining in house hold chores.
we are metal-smiths. our studio is in a green school bus next to the house. we make tools for fiber artists for a living and sell them on line (dsl wifi available for you to use too).
we are especially interested in hosting fiber artists that want to come and learn about keeping fiber sheep,shearing, doing hoofs, carding, hand spinning,we have 2 looms etc.
molly is using these fiber tools less because of arthritis in her thumbs. can really use a hand with shearing now.
we would like some finishing help in our metal studio. in exchange we can teach you jewelry and metal-smithing skills.
we have many books on local natural history and wild foods.
there are many nearby rocky shores, big sand beaches with high sea-cliffs, and trails on public land right from the edge of the farm. the island has mixed cedar and fir forest. there are small sheep and cattle farms, hay fields, orchards, lots of wildlife. this land has a secluded beach on a rural bay.
there is plenty of interest around here in local food, craft and art.
this is an interesting and diverse community of about 1500 people who live on this island year round. this rural county (san juan county) has about 200+ small islands. the ferry only goes to 4 of them including this one~"lopez island." it's very beautiful and scenic here with snow capped mountains on the horizon. lots of trails to hike -small roads to bike on. there is a small town 10 miles away from us~ with natural food store, supermarket and other shops.
many have hitch hiked here on creigs list ride share- there are public transit connections from the mainland to the ferry. we can pick you up at the ferry landing. we have a good tent site, and a simple attic guest room with window and desk.

we have 4 spoiled sheep that hang out around the front door~ unfenced~ & so don't welcome dogs.

we like food! all kinds- so always need help hauling water & with washing dishes! we are interested in wild local foods including seaweed and mushrooms and pick many kinds of berries, and enjoy seafood harvesting. come help make hay by hand with a scythe. we are keeping rabbits for food. hope to keep pekin ducks too. we are not a commercial farm. we are interested in permaculture & local food and clothing.we always have lots to learn from our helper/guests.
our hippie lifestyle is very simple. i think we have some things to teach about simple lifestyle skills. we lived on our little sailboat for 18 years in rural bays here in the "salish sea." we heat & cook with wood so always need more! we have a wood fired hot tub and a natural spring at the beach. help fire it up! we haul water for household use. we also have propane stove and oven and many other stoves and cookers. we like to smoke fish and other foods.
we spend time in the summer and fall canning and drying food for winter use.
we both have some health problems but nothing contagious~ just getting older...
our income low. the farm house is small, funky, derelict and sweet. help us fix it up.

please email us in advance. we are in it for the cultural exchange and friendship.

we prefer no alcohol use on the farm.
we are happy to share all meals, work and play. please contact us and tell us why you'd like to visit. thanks in advance for your help.

we have hosted many great people over the years. we can provide good references.

please write to make a plan for a one week home stay. longer stays to be discussed after a weeks visit.