WWOOF USA Profile Update 6/21/11

[NOTE: This is the updated version of our profile for Wwoof Usa. Please also see the 'wwoofer pages' elsewhere on this website]

PROFILE UPDATED JUNE 21 2011:  WE ARE NOW "FULL" FOR JULY 2011. Accepting Wwoof volunteers for late Aug, Sept, Oct only.
    Our property comprises 40 acres on an isolated road, 15 minutes from two towns in western PA. Peaceful country dream; 30 acres of woods with trails, creek, pond. Five acres are in Certified Naturally Grown vegetable/herb/berry production to supply farmers markets and a cooperative multi-farm CSA as well as on-farm pick-your-own program. High tunnels extend the season. We are a small, artisanal farm utilizing a permanent bed system and hand-work combined with organic and biodynamic growing practices. The farmers are a 50-ish vegetarian UU married couple, both professional educators. Fluent French spoken. We work hard and play hard; climbing, canoeing, hiking, and especially sailing are passions. Opportunities for recreation are nearby; swimming, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, climbing, all within 30 minutes of the farm.We sell at a farmers market in Pittsbugh on Saturdays. Sundays are off, plus one other day of the week of your choosing. We require 6 hours of farm help per person per day.Please be aware that farmwork involves outdoor activity in the heat, humidity, or rain. If you are out of shape, or do not have physical stamina then this is not the farm for you!  If you are allergic to cats this may not be the farm for you (6 cats) Projects for 2011 include building a rain cachement system, a solar dehydrator, and a meditation hut using alternative methods. Wwoofers will be involved in all aspects of planting, weeding, maintaining, harvesting and marketing of the farm produce, including CSA distribution. They will be directly responsible for assisting and educating consumers. Other tasks include caring for poultry, watering greenhouses, saving seeds, preserving produce, composting. Wwoofers are housed in a small travel trailer or  platform canvas tent,have their own bathroom in the house,kitchen privileges. Meals are taken in the house together. We cook in our solar and earthen ovens as much as possible.  Access to an extensive home library and computer. Large university and small college towns nearby. No children. We no longer accept winter wwoofers. We are near major interstates(80 & 79) with daily Mon-Fri bus service to Pittsburgh. We can pick you up in a nearby town with bus service, but we cannot travel to Pittsburgh (or further than 25 minutes from the farm) to pick you up. (because we are busy farming) IF YOU HAVE SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDS PLEASE TELL US BEFORE YOUR ARRIVAL (that's just good manners). We appreciate wwoofers who like to take a turn cooking and doing dishes! Seeking wwoofers who are personable, want to work directly with farmers and consumers, and enjoy making and hearing good music. Preference will be given to those who are exploring a desire to farm, and wish to learn the profession, not just dabble in a 'farm vacation'. (oxymoron)   References from ex-wwoofers are available upon request. Please see our website for more wwoofing information. The 'Wwoofer Pages' on the website have more photos and also details about the daily farm schedule. Thank you, we sincerely appreciate your willingness to volunteer. Lori and Ben.