Rock N Ridge Ranch - Willits CA Willits - Volunteers Base - Free Volunteering and Work Exchange Opportunities.

Location: Willits, CA, United States

We are a 180 acre guest ranch/retreat property perched on a rocky mountaintop at 2660 ft (811m) elevation in the spectacular coast range wilderness 3 hours north of San Francisco. We have big views of mountains and forest with abundant wildlife, where the wine country meets the Redwoods.
Our ranch is totally off-grid. It operates on a state-of-the-art solar and wind power system. Our landscaped garden is both ornamental & culinary, with an Asian flair. We grow food & fruit, do experimental growing and propagation; however, we do not consider this an actual farm. It is difficult to grow food on a windy rocky mountain top. We do not keep livestock.
Maximum stay for volunteers is one week, with flexibility on extensions if we are particularly well suited to each other and there are ample projects. We generally accept volunteers from April through October, only. Winters can be cold, windy and wet here, so WWoof opportunities are rare in winter. volunteers stay in a comfortable private camper or trailer, with shared indoor bathroom nearby.
Couples are welcome. We cannot accept families with children, and do not accept pets of any kind. This is a non-smoking, drug free property.
We usually have only 1 or 2 volunteers at a time, so be prepared to enjoy ample time alone. We will often plan breaks between volunteer stays, depending on the work load, and our need for peace and privacy.
We can pick up volunteers from nearest bus station.
Duties include gardening and maintenance, assisting with whatever project is ongoing. This can include construction, mending fences, fire break clearing, etc. This offers volunteers intending on eventual self sufficiency to experience what it takes to live remotely; that is, hard work, focus, flexibility, and a lot of different skills. We appreciate flexible, independent workers who are self starters.
Our schedule is busy and variable, so we prefer independent volunteers who can cook for themselves most of the time in their fully stocked campers (kitchen included). We request help with cooking & cleanup of any group meals. Vegetarians and omnivores are welcome.
We have a large reference library including renewable energy systems, architecture, herbal medicine, woods skills, gardening, cookbooks and nature field guides. We at times host groups for the arts, music, dance, ceremony, healing arts, stargazing and nature study. We study mycology and may host forays of mushroom enthusiasts during the rainy season. We are active volunteers in our local arts and music oriented community and host a music show on public radio.
We speak fair Spanish, learning Chinese. We love to travel, appreciate cultural diversity and particularly welcome foreign volunteers.
We have been hosts since before WWoof-USA was formed, and have had the pleasure to welcome a great number of volunteers from all over the world. Some have returned to the ranch, which has been a great pleasure for us. It has been rewarding to us to teach, and to learn from, everyone who visits us.