Farm-based cidery on a mixed-use farm on beautiful Vancouver Island
British Columbia
We are a family of four with two children (ages 8 and 10) living on a 22-acre mixed-use farm in Errington, Vancouver Island, just 15 minutes from the towns of Parksville and Qualicum Beach. Our orchard is the heart of our operation, with over 2,500 apple and pear trees, alongside sheep and occasional cattle and pigs. We are in our fifth year of raising livestock and our third year of cider production, crafting cider for sale at our on-farm picnic area, local markets, and restaurants.
We take pride in low-impact, environmentally conscious farming. Our barn was built using timbers harvested on the farm, we collect rainwater for irrigation, and we practise rotational grazing and maximise use of the silvopasture surrounding our pasture to support healthy land and animals.
Farm days begin around 8am with livestock care, followed by seasonal work. Spring focuses on orchard preparation, grafting, transplanting, and (lots of!) weeding. As summer approaches, irrigation, orchard maintenance, and cider sales become part of daily life. Helpers may also assist with cider making and the associated cleaning, and you're welcome to help with sales in our picnic area or at markets.
Typical tasks:
Feeding and caring for livestock
Orchard work (weeding, planting, monitoring tree health, irrigating)
Composting and fertilising
Rotational grazing and pasture management
Occasional fencing, building, or maintenance projects
Cider making assistance and cleaning
Helpers stay in a large private room in our family home with a sitting area and en-suite bathroom. WiFi is available.
The guest room has a queen bed and a second mattress is available, so couples or pairs of friends are welcome. We ask for 25 hours of help per week and prefer stays of 2-3 weeks. Shorter or longer stays would be considered - please just ask, and note that we require WWOOFERs to have their own travel/medical insurance. During the week, breakfast and evening meals are shared with our family. Food is provided for WWOOFers to prepare their own lunches. We generally ask that you prepare your own meals at weekends, food is provided.
We live in a beautiful area with plenty to explore. Beaches are a 15 minute drive away, and Englishman River Provincial Park (hiking and mountain biking) is just 10 minutes by car from the farm. Coombs, Parksville, and Qualicum Beach are all nearby. Bikes are available to borrow.
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Cattle farming
Sheep or goat farming
Forestry
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Beer, cider, wine, or juice making
Green Building
Renewable energy production
Mechanics / tools / technology
Methods or systems
Biological pest control
Biodynamic agriculture
Fukuoka farming
No-till farming
Permaculture
Regenerative agriculture
Rotational grazing
Mentoring opportunities
Woman-operated
Veteran-operated
Host type
Production farm
9
Hectares
|
22.2
Acres
Clare
Member since 2026
Languages spoken:
English
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 100%
Response time: typically within 3 days
British Columbia
We're easy to reach by ferry or air - our nearest airport/ferry port is Nanaimo (or Comox), and then bus to Parksville / Qualicum Beach.
We will collect from Parksville/Qualicum Beach.
Reviews
Chloé
France
•
April 2026
We had a really good woofing experience at the Ciderhouse/farm. Clare and Lance were very welcoming, and we felt at ease with them very quickly. They were also very flexible and easygoing, which we really appreciated. They lent us bikes, so we could easily explore the area and go for rides.
The house was lively with their two children, which made a nice and warm atmosphere. The work was enjoyable and in a beautiful setting. We stayed for a month and helped with different tasks like protecting the trees with wire mesh, checking the irrigation, and doing some construction work. We did a variety of tasks.
The room was very big, with a private bathroom and everything we needed, so we had our own space.
Overall, it was a very good experience. The month went by fast, and we are very happy we met them.
Thank you, Clare and Lance, for letting us discover your beautiful project and way of life, and for giving us the chance to be part of it!
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Gilles
Canada
•
March 2026
I spend 2 weeks in there farm. I found a very welcoming family with two kids (Gus and Nate) that always seem to be happy. The accomodation was perfect with my own bathroom and my own living room. I enjoyed the meal with that happy family.
My duty at the farm was preparing bed for the plantation and planting tree at the orchard. And a was also cutting tree to make post for the fence. I enjoyed my stay at this farm.
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Irene
Austria
•
March 2026
Thank you for the opportunity to come and see your wonderful and inspiring project, your farm.
Thank you for the warm welcome (even if it was still winter), for the inspiring talk, for the exchange about travelling, and for the valuable insights into low-impact farming and the Canadian way of life in general.
Thank you for being so spontaneous, flexible, and open – it made the visit truly special and an experience I would recommend to anyone who has the chance to meet you.
Thank you, Clare and Lance, I would be very happy to keep in touch!
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