Mixed Farm

British Columbia

28 reviews • Updated 1 year ago

We will be happy to host refugees from Ukraine! We currently are accepting woofers. To answer some frequently asked questions- -We are all fully vaccinated now YAY! -Yes Covid still sucks. Sorry I know its sucky but we are all doing our best! -We are able to pick you up at the ferry/airport/bus station. We would greatly prefer if a mask were to be worn during your travels and there is also a great cab service and some busses available to the general area. We are a short walk from the bus stop. Our farm sits in a beautiful area of Vancouver Island. We have a large area for a garden and a large barn and lots of space with our beloved animals. We try to eat as best we can and grow what we can the best way we can. We are not certified organic but we don't spray harmful chemicals. we are slowly becoming more self sufficient with our farm with our rain water harvesting, manure and composting, firewood heat, and going to be setting up solar or wind electricity. our home is large and inviting with a large deck with out door kitchen overlooking our garden and main farmyard. We love to preserve our harvests and will gladly teach others how to can and dry produce and even butcher chickens if you like! Farmer Mike is a software developer and he works from home. His hobbies include board games and computer stuff and building things with his 3d printer. Farmer Shannon is a fiber artist/mom/jane of all trades who primarily runs the farm and plans the projects We are currently working on several building projects along with expanding our garden to eventually provide more healthy food to others. We raise animals of all sorts, Sheep, chickens, , ducks and geese and try to use everything we can. We work along side our children as we feel its important to know a good days work and where their food comes from so be prepared to have a couple of youngsters working along side us most days Our upcoming big projects include building an outdoor shower, Fixing up a trailer and a cabin, building up garden beds, a lean to for the barn, fixing up the water system, some fencing, painting, and beating back the blackberry brambles. Our regular day to day activities include milking the sheep tending the farm stand, egg collection and washing, general farm animal care and gardening tasks such as weeding, harvesting planting and watering. You would have the chance to learn how to grow vegetables, flowers, raise and train the animals, along with making cheese, butter, and yogurt with the milk! Baking, knitting and spinning are all common events here. We have a cozy camping trailer available for your personal space with shower/bathroom use inside the house. Its great for close friends or a couple or small family. We find that 3-4 people are comfortable there. There is also plenty of room for tents, or a spot to bring your own small trailer/RV ( 25 feet max please). For the winter months/harsher weather we crash inside the house when the trailer becomes uncomfortable or during power outages. . We have amazing Wifi internet connection with NO data cap. We all participate in meal prep and meal cleanup, keeping common areas tidy/clean and try to mostly eating the food we grow/make here. We even make our own pasta sometimes! Ideally, most evening meals will be eaten together unless meal time is missed or other arrangements are made. We love eating dinner together. We frequently go on adventures and would love to have you join us. We will welcome you to our home like our own and love to share in this immersive experience! Ideally we are looking for longer term ( 3 plus weeks and onwards ) but are flexible.We do have a small selection of boots and work clothes but it's usually best to bring your own.Feel free to ask if we have your size. We are non smoking anywhere on the property. We ask for 25-33 hours per week and these can be done either daily for a few hours at a time (or split the hours morning/evening) or for longer stays, we can arrange for full days work so you can plan a few days to explore the island. We are very flexible. Our farm is located right near a lake that hosts fishing, paddling and other water sports and we are a short distance from ocean. We are centrally located so the rest of the area is easily accessible for adventures such as hiking!

Learning opportunities

Vegetable farming

Poultry farming

Cattle farming

Sheep or goat farming

Dairy farming

Meat processing

Vegetable or fruit preservation

Bakery

Natural cosmetics fabrication

Traditional crafts

Methods or systems

Permaculture

Host type

Self-sufficiency property

1 Hectares | 2.5 Acres

Accommodation

4+ WWOOFers

Camper / RV

Campsite

Children accepted

Pets not accepted

Meals

Omnivore

Vegetarian

Length of stay

3-4 weeks

Over a month

Mike and Shannon

Member since 2018

Languages spoken: English

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Response rate: 74% Response time: typically within 2 days

MapLibre | Protomaps | © OpenStreetMap

British Columbia

Reviews

Sophia

Germany • January 2026

I'm really glad that I ended up staying on this farm. This family took me in so that I felt like I belonged into this family. You will be able to tag along on their family adventures, meet some of their friends or go to the kids club games (I cheered on so many Volleyball games :D ). It sometimes can be really chaotic in the house, with a family of 6 and with several WOOFER, but you always have the freedom to go into your trailer for some quiet and rest time. In the late summer and autum there ist a mountain of different vegetables and fruits to harvest and snack on, as well all the animals to take care of all year round. I learnd a whole lot about all kinds of stuff and that includes all kinds of topics, not only about farm life. If you enjoy to to stay in a lively house and experice the life with a big family I would defnetly advise you to stay fore some time. I really loved to stay here, so much so that I didn't want to leave. And I know that I will come back to at least visit!

Clémence

Canada • October 2025

The family is so nice! I highly recommend going! We learned so many things, about animals, gardening, the greenhouse, and cooking. There are bikes available to explore the area (like Hemer Park and the Deep Hole). I stayed for three weeks, but it felt too short. It’s a perfect place to experience life on a farm! I was very lucky to meet the family !

Jessica

Canada • August 2025

How lucky am I to have spent a month growing, learning and cultivating the most loving friendships at Kitchen Sink Farm? To say I am grateful is an understatement. Mike and Shannon are the most caring, supportive and fun hosts, and the entire family welcomed me with open arms, loving hearts, and playful adventures. I miss the barn chores, caring for the animals and the fresh, healthy food picked straight from the garden (and lots of incredible baked goods straight from the oven). My time at the farm was sprinkled with day trips to beautiful locations and I felt so included in all of the family's adventures and always encouraged when I sought my own. As an only child, I was a bit intimidated by spending a month living with 9 other people (family of 6 + 3 other WWOOFers), but I quickly learned what a joy it was to be a part of a big, happy family. Thank you, Shannon, for sharing so much knowledge, passion and food grown from the heart. I hope to group a place and family as beautiful as yours one day. It was a joy to live, learn, and play with you all. I left the farm with so much inspiration, wisdom, friendship and the fondest of memories. It's been two weeks since I said goodbye, and I honestly feel a bit homesick for a place that made me instantly feel like I belong, the daily farm life I hope to emulate one day, and the most loving found family that I'll hold in my heart forever.

Pauline

Germany • August 2025

The Kitchen Sink Farm was my first wwoofing experience and became an unforgettable, amazing experience. Be prepared for days full of craziness, tasks around the garden and animals and delicious food (Shannon’s baking and cooking is scrumptious and don’t even get me started on Mike’s burgers!!). The day usually starts with barn chores at 6:30 am and also ends with barn chores in the evenings. During the day tasks vary from gardening tasks like weeding or harvesting, to fixing fences or other barn tasks. Shannon and Mike make sure you feel comfortable with all upcoming tasks and encourage you to take a break if needed. During the day it gets quite busy in the house - needless to say you can absolutely go to your trailer for some alone time. They treated me as part of the family and included the wwoofers in family activities which I adored. This place will forever hold a special place in my heart and I‘m on a rush to get back there.

Jess

United Kingdom • August 2025

I had the best 2 months at Shannon and Mike’s! The whole family are so welcoming - Shannon and Mike clearly love hosting and genuinely want you to have a good time. They offer a mix of tasks, trusting you whilst always making sure you understand and feel comfortable. We usually did around 4-6 hours’ work on working days (mainly in the mornings and the barn chores at 6:30am/pm) and it can be quite physical - for me it took a week or two to adjust. I learnt so many new skills - caring for the sheep, ducks, geese, chickens and cats, planting and harvesting, weeding, digging, baking, pasta-making and even driving the tractor. Our big project was digging a duck pond. The animals are just lovely, especially the sheep, many cats and Fitz the dog, who will all love cuddles and attention from you. The kids are all hilarious and sweet -I spent my evenings with the family and they love to play games and chat. We usually made our own breakfast/lunch then ate together at night. Shannon and Mike are great cooks, and generous. S&M want you to explore the island, and we had great day trips as a family, as well as them kindly helping me plan trips alone and with other wwoofers. I always felt safe as a solo female traveller. You have your own space (in your trailer), but you will get the most out of the stay if you enjoy a busy, social environment, are flexible and embrace the full family farm life. If you’re unsure, do it! I ended up extending my stay twice because I didn’t want to leave!

Tami

Germany • April 2025

The kitchen sink farm was my first wwoofing experience and it was absolutely wonderful. I wasn't used to farm work so in the beginning it was a bit exhausting but Shannon always encourages that we take breaks and don't push ourselves. We also had a bunch of opportunities to explore the nature and city, Shannon had some really good recommendations and offered to give us a ride when she could or helped us pick out a bus. Once you get used to it the work is amazing, especially caring for all the adorable animals really made my day. In general there is a lot of variety of things you can learn and it never gets boring! There was always enough food in the house and Shannon is an amazing cook, the cookies and bread were definitely a highlight! I immediately felt welcomed in the family. The children are so lovely and full of live, especially the boys always wanna play with you. The family always makes you feel included but there is never any pressure to participate in family activities. It was such a pleasure to stay on the farm and I was so sad when I had to leave. It was definitely an experience I will always remember, thank you so much Mike and Shannon!