Hello, I'm Robyn and live alone with my small dog, 6 hens, and koi on Texada Island - BC's largest gulf Island. I work online 2 days a week as a Mental Health Therapist. I also have a Master of Fine Art in Video Art so it's an artsy place. My land is a 1 min walk to the bay/beach, and hiking trails are all over the island. People here are super friendly and will talk with you instantly. You can ride my bike or hitchhike on island as pop. is only 1200. Sometimes I can offer rides to sightseeing places on island. I am building a homestead with fruit trees, berry bushes, veggies, and a space for WWOOFer's to come and live in a beautiful productive place. Things I am working on are: building a garden outhouse, outbuilding management for crab trap storage, garden tools, etc., a larger compost system, planting and managing fruit trees. I have a small garden tractor and cart I can teach you to use. The islands soil is poor so I am always researching ways to build it up organically, eg: seaweed, pine needles for acid, etc. I tend to the garden and tasks starting about 9-10am, planting new trees, or pruning, landscaping, building-painting something, weeding. The nearest town is Powell river. There are 6 daily ferries from Powell River (PR) (35 min) and 4 daily ferries from Comox-Courtenay to PR. From Vancouver or Victoria there are bus connections to the ferries, or come the easy peasy way from Vanc by small plane 45 min ride. I'll pick you up from ferry or Powell River airport if possible.
I wild harvest blackberries and huckleberries, and mushrooms, and when possible smoke salmon. There is a farmers market in summers 10 min walk away where items can be sold. I also harvest seaweed, clams, oysters, crab from the sea. I have been gardening fruits, veggies, perennials, for 30 years. I used to have a perennials business. I also used to be a pioneer in the BC remote wilds (build log cabin, shoot moose, hunt, fish, milk goat, 100% isolated for 6 winter months at -20 to -30c, etc). I can teach you a lot about preserving food, growing food, or other crops for sale, survival skills. I used to live in Japan 14 yrs so I have that aesthetic somewhat. Days are easy and we do whatever needs tending. I hope to have some wwoofers coming that have some basic building skills- fences, stonework, etc. The 4-5 work hours can be flexibly scheduled (4 hours if it's hard shovel type work, 5 hours if it's basic homestead work)
There is a cute R-Pod camper on site. Now it's near the house, but if you want to stay awhile, we can move to a private spot at rear of land if you like. There is also a nice Gazebo garden hut for lounging, or outdoor kitchen, (R-pod has mini kitchen and sm. fridge too) if you like. Bathroom and laundry is inside house.( I'm working on an outside shower-bath now). There are 2 bikes, and a paddle board and kayak that possibly can be used. I can provide some of your basic food- but not all, and perhaps some dinners, or lunches, we will eat together if that works out. (I like to cook). I'm not vegetarian but like to eat vegetarian meals and eat healthy. I want you to feel comfortable with your accommodations. Small or old dogs are possible. A couple may be possible.
I like to be outdoors as much as possible. I fish, walk beaches and drag home good driftwood or fence posts, mushroom or berry forage. The island is very large and has many trails and beaches to explore. If you have a hobby/craft, or want to try to sell your own jam recipes at the farmers market you can. There is a pub on island, 2 small grocery stores (One is a 5 min walk, as well as the library), 2-3 places to get restaurant type food, lot's of regular groups to join (Meditation, Tai chi, Pickleball), and social happenings. In summer, the island get's busy with campers and beach tourists (sandcastle competitions, blues festival, etc). In fall, we prepare harvest for winter, mushroom hunt, dry fruits, figs, and canning. Some young people on island are homesteader types, live in buses, etc. I'm sure you'll meet them. If you are older, or want solo time thats easy- life is quiet and chill here. Wifi available. No illegal drugs. Wwoofers who are cheerful, curious, and work solidly, responsible and respectful of shared space, with good enough English skills to understand basic instructions are welcome. I appreciate good work and attitude, and I enjoy giving a little extra back of my time to make sure you have a great travel/ BC island experience. (If you have no work experience at all, don't clean up after yourself, work super slow or sloppy, and expect me to do a lot of cooking for you it's probably not a good fit. )
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Poultry farming
Wild foraging
Flower farming
Seed saving or production
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Traditional crafts
Green Building
Methods or systems
Biological pest control
Regenerative agriculture
Mentoring opportunities
Woman-operated
Host type
Production farm
0.4
Hectares
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1
Acres
