Educational Centre, Agritourism Destination, Homestead, Hobby Farm, Eco Retreat, Horse Ranch
Ontario
Welcome to Hidden Buddha! We are open and looking for responsible Wwoofers to help with work on the farm, including horse care. We also need help fence building, stable cleaning, stacking firewood, horse pasture maintenance, barn and cabin renovations, organic vegetable gardens. We provide great accommodations, experiences in nature and your favourite food in exchange for reliable, productive work on the farm. We offer Wwoofing year-round, but in the warmer months we need the most help with farm projects and hay harvests.
This is a 73 acre organic farm and healing retreat center located in beautiful Rideau Lakes, Ontario, Canada. Our founding principle is the Honouring of Life. I welcome you to share in the beautiful energy and landscape of this land and feel enriched, connected and fulfilled by working outdoors and with the horses. This sustainable agriculture farm and horse rescue, consists of organic hay fields, woods ideal for trails and sugar bush/maple syrup, and pastures for rescue horses. Across from Bellamy Lake and close to major urban centers of Brockville and Smiths Falls, Hidden Buddha provides the healing energies of living in pristine nature, while being close to amenities and major eco-tourist attractions. Relaxing and scenic boat cruises are available on The Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as on The Thousand Island Boat Cruises on the St. Lawrence River. Natural tourist attractions like Rock Dunder, which has beautiful views of the Rideau Lakes from its highest peak, and walking/biking tours, are located close by, and there are plenty of trails for hiking, for example, Rideau Trails. At Hidden Buddha Healing Center, guests feel the subtle, healing energy emanating from the land, a feeling of ancient wisdom, sacred power, and wholeness, dating back a billion years in geological history.
Wwoofing guests stay in our 700 sq. ft. apartment we renovated for guests that sleeps up to 5 people and has a kitchen, washroom downstairs and a sleeping/living loft upstairs.
Hidden Buddha continues to grow and evolve, inviting more rescue horses and upgrading and building barns, cabins, fences and gardens.
The land of the Hidden Buddha is, itself, a Hidden Gem. It is a land of high vibration, beautiful sunsets and midnight wonders, a land where you begin to feel more alive, more connected, more conscious. It is a land that has as much reverence for you, as you have for it.
Organic methods: organic hay fields through natural fertilizing and seeding, composting of organic manure and garden and kitchen waste, organic gardening
Certifications: Farm has been without chemicals or pesticides for over 20 years. We plan to arrange for organic certification in the future, as time allows with our busy schedules
Current projects: Hay Harvest, Building Fences, Upgrading Barns and Living Accommodations, Building New Cabins and Horse Shelters, Upgrading Gardens, On-Going Maintenance of Horse Barns (cleaning manure, providing fresh hay and water daily), Learning Natural Horsemanship, Learning Horse Skills/Healing Techniques with Special Needs Horses, Chopping Firewood, Making Compost
Internet access available
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Learning opportunities
Horse or donkey farming
Forestry
Wild foraging
Flower farming
Aromatic or medicinal plants, teas
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Food justice / sovereignty
Mechanics / tools / technology
Methods or systems
Biological pest control
Holistic management
Regenerative agriculture
Rotational grazing
Mentoring opportunities
Woman-operated
Host type
Self-sufficiency property
30.8
Hectares
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76.1
Acres
Accommodation
Lidia
Member since 2020
Languages spoken:
English
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 100%
Response time: typically within 1 day
Ontario
Brockville Station and Smiths Falls Station
Reviews
Johnny
Canada
•
January 2026
I had a wonderful stay with Lidia! I felt really comfy and completely safe the whole time. it’s such a welcoming and peaceful place. The animals are amazing, especially the horses, donkeys, and cats they made every day so special and joyful. Working here is really chill, nothing rushed or stressful, and Lidia and the family are incredibly friendly and kind. I also loved learning practical skills like how to make comfortable beds for the animals (using fresh straw or hay), how to properly take care of them, and how to give them hay in the best way. It was a super rewarding experience in a calm, animal-filled environment highly recommend for anyone looking for a gentle, hands-on farm stay!
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Yongling
Canada
•
November 2025
I had a great time at the farm! It was my very first WWOOFing experience, and it went extraodinary! The hosts are very nice people, doing a meaningful thing rescueing horses, and I was grateful to be a small part helping them and the horses. My main job was to clean the barns and stock enough hays for horses daily, and to help with other projects if needed, Lidia spent a good time with me to make sure I got proper training to perform my job well, I was given clear instructions and necessary supports to be comfortable working at the farm. As for my goal, I did spend quality time with the horses and bond with them, they were such magnificient creatures and I felt happy and peaceful around them. A few other points I appreciate this adventure, 1) Communication and Workstyle: Lidia always responds in a timely manner, things moved forward in good orders, effcient and straight to the points, you'll feel her charms working together; 2) Equipments: The farm was well equipped with tools, clothings, boots, etc...It allowed me to work under any weather and conditions; 3) Environment: beautiful place, sit by a huge pretty lake, with a few cute towns in 20-30 mins driving range, very low light pollution (I was lucky enough to see amazing aurora one night); 4) Very cute and friendly farm cats. In summary, I'd recommend this farm to other wwoofers, and I'd like to go back again! Thank you!!
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Helena
Germany
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September 2025
I spent the last month on this farm and it was truly a wonderful experience. The accommodation is very cozy.
Once a week I went grocery shopping with Lidia or Campbell, who are both incredibly friendly, welcoming, and helpful. From the very beginning, they made me feel completely at home. I will really miss their farm with all the horses, Gracie the donkey, and the two cats, TJ and Jessie. The way Lidia and Campbell care for their animals is so full of love - you can see in their eyes how happy they are living on this ranch.
The ranch itself is a little remote, but that makes it even more special. On hot days I highly recommend a walk to the lake, where you’ll find a small beach and swimming area. And make sure you don’t miss the butter tarts at the kiosk just 4 km away – they’re honestly the best I’ve ever had in my life.
This ranch was the perfect start to my journey through Canada. I made new friends here, some of whom I’m continuing my travels with. The work was well explained – Lidia and Campbell showed me how to do each task, and afterwards I mostly worked together with the other WWOOFers. We had a lot of freedom in planning our days, apart from some spontaneous jobs here and there. I also had plenty of free time, which I spent baking, enjoying time with the animals, or relaxing in the hayloft.
All in all, I couldn’t have wished for a better experience. Thank you, Lidia and Campbell, for opening your home and your ranch to me.
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Nora
Germany
•
September 2025
I spend four weeks on Lidia's farm and had the chance to take part in the daily farm work. This included cleaning the barns and doing red light therapie with Raven, Sarah, and of course Gracie the donkey. Since I was there during seasonal change, I also helped with storing firewood, straw, and hay.
The work scedule was very flexible - especially when working in pairs or small groups, it was easy to divide up the tasks ourselves. During our free time, we would go for a swim and relax by the nearby lake , or walk about 4km to the local kiosk to try the best butter tarts I've ever had. Campbell would definetly agree on that.
On days off, Lidia and Campbell were also happy to take us to local attractions - for example, to the stunning Rock Dunder.
You can really feel the deep love and connection both Lidia and Campbell have for their horses, for Gracie the donkey, and their two cats.
I truly enjoyed my time on the farm and hope our paths will cross again someday.
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Maëlle
Belgium
•
September 2025
Despite my short stay, I loved my time at Lidia and Campbell's ranch.
They are welcoming, kind, and understanding people. They trust you and give you a certain amount of freedom, which makes the job very enjoyable!
Taking care of their horses in this wonderfull setting was very beneficial for me; I highly recommend the experience!
Thank you again to Lidia and her companion for welcoming me and allowing me to have this experience!
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Lisa
Germany
•
September 2025
I stayed for wonderful three weeks with Lidia and the horses. It was hard to say goodbye and I am considering coming back later in the year. After a few days working with Lidia, I cleaned the stables on my own and did Light therapy with the horses. The working hours have been really flexible and since I had a few hot days, I cleaned the stables in the morning and did light therapy in the early evening. Since I have experience with housekeeping, I also offered my help with the Airbnb.
Lidia and Campbell take great care for the horses and they created a paradies of peace and tranquility. They always looked out for me, asking if I have enough food, which I did, and we had great talks. I am so grateful for Lidia, that I could stay there for a time on my own, which I definitely needed. This time and talks with Lidia helped me to consider where my future is leading to.
All the best for you and the horses. I hope, our paths are crossing again.
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