Family home and garden - rural
British Columbia
Hello and Welcome!
I have health issues, including Myasthenia gravis and back issues. I am looking for folks that are reasonably fit and also interested in this growing and living style. Please contact me if you can help. Thanks.
My name is Dianne. I am an 81-year-old woman, living and working on this property for 50 years. I live with a traveler house-mate, and share the land with my family.
I am looking for help starting immediately and throughout all four seasons. I do appreciate longer stays, with some house and garden sitting. I am seeking assistance for about 25 hours of help per week, in exchange for food and board, which would average out to about 5 hours per day. Weekends free but flex-time.
This opportunity is ideal for individuals who can work both with me and independently. There is accommodation available, including a room with a queen-sized bed for couples, a bedroom for a single person, and an outdoor bedroom. You would be sharing the house with me and any other WWOOFers.
The property features a bountiful organic garden that provides most of the food, as well as wildcrafted items. I have been tending to this land for almost 50 years, growing food and medicinal plants, making plant medicine, and saving seeds. The 30-acre parcel boasts a large creek, abundant wildlife, great water, and stunning views. It is located outside of Balfour, near Kootenay Lake, and a short, 30-minute drive from the vibrant city of Nelson.
In addition to the gardening tasks, there are opportunities to learn about sustainable living, harvest, and process medicinal plants, and participate in the cultural life of the area. Internet access is available, and I am looking forward to the exchange of ideas and experiences with potential helpers.
I do have some house rules that I kindly ask all helpers to follow. These include: changing shoes and dirty clothes after working outside, keeping meal preparation, cooking, and dishes separate from work hours, but sharing is encouraged, ensuring the kitchen is cleaned up right after use. Additionally a general rule of picking up after yourself is appreciated. Thank you for considering these rules. Otherwise, I am quite easygoing.
Organic methods: I use compost, manure, organic amendments, plants for pollinators and other insects that eat the insect pests, and do crop rotation, etc.
Certifications: This land has never had any non-organic amendments used. I am probably more organic than many of the certified farms and have sold locally at stores and markets. When you visit you will see for yourself the great abundance of wild plants, insects, and birds.
I look forward to working and exchanging ideas with you.
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Forestry
Wild foraging
Seed saving or production
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Beer, cider, wine, or juice making
Natural cosmetics fabrication
Food justice / sovereignty
Methods or systems
Biological pest control
Holistic management
No-till farming
Permaculture
Regenerative agriculture
Mentoring opportunities
Woman-operated
Dianne
Member since 2008
Languages spoken:
English, Spanish
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
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Fri
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Response rate: 80%
Response time: typically within 9 days
British Columbia
Balfour, Nelson, Castlegar
Reviews
Diana
Canada
•
April 2026
Every morning in the Kootenays was the beginning of another beautiful day in paradise.
In my 5 months at Laird Creek farm I learned much about local flora and fauna, and medicinal plants, living the life I’d hoped to live in my younger years. Sadly, the universe had different plans for me then, but it was heartwarming to finally manage to do it, if only in a small way.
Dianne is a patient and kind teacher, sharing a lifetime of wisdom gleaned from living simply and respectfully. Her knowledge of the natural world, and how to inhabit it without causing harm is inspiring, and humbling.
Living simply, however, is not easy. It’s work. Very satisfying work if you appreciate the value and dignity of manual labor. Expect to use your muscles as well as your brain. ❤️
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Reply from Dianne
And right now the work is weeding and planting and harvesting, and Diana, I do miss you and your willingness to do what ever. Thanks, and hope to see you again. much love, Dianne
Edouard
Canada
•
August 2025
This farm is certainly incredible for its location, vibe and natural beauty and i definitely lived some wonderful experiences.
But wwoofing is for team players, its whole purpose is helping each other and living in harmony. During my time there, the host showed no acknowledgement of the effort I put in, and I felt that she tried to take advantage of me and my time. She complained about the younger generation and seemed to expect perfection. I felt like I was walking on eggshells.
The host has some great knowledge and incredible perseverance but everything topped with her age and her stress makes it impossible for me to live there in peace.
Still, I am greatfull for my time there and I am sorry we were not compatible.
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Reply from Dianne
I find Edouard very good at work play. One of the things he hid was the tool to crush the egg shells.perhaps so he did not have to feel he was walking on them. walk on them. for the garden in an upstairs clothes closet. Another was damp and dirty towels in with the clean ones, and when that was full, into dresser drawers of clean clothes not in his room. One of the things we spoke often about here was the bottom line of making things easier, and not harder. That is why I asked him to leave almost a month early.l I have friends in town who offer folks helping here an over night couch as the last buss leaves to early for any evening event. They were very surprised when he showed ;up in the day, spent 5 days there, did not help , ate food meant for others, and left a mess. Sorry Edourd,but your issues are still unsolved. You are not being truthful. Dianne.
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Cajetan
Germany
•
February 2024
Dianne is a very kind and lovely old woman. But she is very fit for her age. Her live is full of energy. You can laugh with her and have a lot of fun. She knows what she is doing. it was for me a pleasure to work for her in her garden and help with organising everything form the busy summer time. I really enjoyed the musician area with a lot of nice people and artists.
Reply from Dianne
Thanks Cajetan for your help and good will and especially all the knife and tool sharpening.! All the best for your new adventures. Dianne
Fanny
Canada
•
September 2023
Our stay with Dianne and Cristina has been a really nice experience. They shared their knowledge and passion for gardening, food and sustainable living. We had various fun tasks in the kitchen and in the garden and never got bored! We also shared some nice discussions around many shared meals. If you are looking for an authentic wwoof experience, you'll find it here. Thank you for having us!
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Reply from Dianne
And thank you Fanny and Julien. That promised rain never came, so we are digging potatoes and awaiting new help, but will miss you. Happy and safe travels.Dianne
Leonas Victor
Canada
•
July 2023
During our visit we didn't feel appreciated, had to cook twice a day for everyone and then clean up all the dishes (which wasn't included in our work hours). During our visit Dianne was very busy and barely had time to teach us. Dianne is a lovely woman with a lot of valuable knowledge and you could learn a lot from her. We left after 1 1/2 weeks. EDIT BY WWOOF CANADA STAFF TO MEET POLICY
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Reply from Dianne
Leonas and Penelope were here a bit less than 2 weeks, and some good work was done, but we were not happy with each other, as I am directive in what I need done, and how it needs to be done, and this was not acceptable. The conversation was interesting, and Loenas plays a nice piano.
For future visitors, be aware that certain rules apply (sharing of cooking, keeping the kitchen clean as soon as meals are done,...) If you are interested, keep reading the reviews below to have a good balance of experiences. Thanks
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Selma
Switzerland
•
July 2023
I spend 3 weeks with Dianne, and I was supposed to stay 1 month but I left earlier because I was looking for something else and also I felt sometimes like I wasn’t a good help for her because I wasn’t use to her rules so she had to tell me all my mistakes every time and that was exhausting for her and for me. But despite that I had a wonderful time, I met very nice people and the work in the garden is very interesting. Also the area is my favorite in Canada for the moment, beautiful and calm but still some rich cultural life … So it was a great place to evolve and definitely learn a lot about me and the other’s. Thank you Dianne for having me in your house !
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