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80 %
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12 Jul 2024
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[Currently recruiting for one additional Workawayer who would like to live at the Retreat and have the role of supporting my Parents at their household 20hrs/wk assisting with gardening, cleaning, cooking & crafting
We hope this profile finds you well and ready for an extraordinary journey. If you're seeking a life-changing experience immersed in nature and community, I have an invitation that might just be your calling.
We are in the midst of an incredible journey, building a new life, a sustainable homestead, and a thriving community deep within the heart of the Talladega National Forest. Nestled amidst the picturesque mountains of Alabama, our 40-acre paradise is waiting to be explored.
We are currently looking for an exceptional individual who is passionate about off-grid living, sustainability, and embracing the untamed beauty of nature. Our homestead is a place where dreams are woven into reality, where the sound of waterfalls and the rustling of leaves become your daily symphony.
Dustin has a background in Mechanical Engineering and a love for exploring diverse cultures, he embarked on a journey across 30+ countries, seeking simple truths and perspectives. Now, he's inviting you to join him in creating a space of cathartic serenity.
Your role will be an integral part of our vision. We're working on creating hiking trails, campsites, and crafting cozy cabins. Tasks include stacking firewood, nurturing our chickens, cooking delightful meals, and assisting in the construction of our sauna, cabins, and event dome. Your dedication will help breathe life into our off-grid paradise.
In return, we offer you a unique experience that transcends mere volunteering. Imagine waking up in a private furnished Canvas Bell on a Wood platform deck in the heart of the forest. You'll enjoy comfortable amenities, hot showers, and shared meals that bring us together. We offer a small weekly stipend for your support.
Our land encourages a clothing-optional ethos, allowing individuals the freedom to embrace their choices fully.
This cultural exchange enriches our experiences and highlights our respect for individuality.
If you're ready to be a part of a transformative journey and contribute your passion and dedication to our growing community, then come, join us by the fire. Let's create memories, learn from one another, and bask in the tranquility of Alabama's wilderness.
Looking forward to welcoming you to our off-grid haven!
Come join our Fire. 🌳👣🔥👣🌲Types of help and learning opportunities
Art ProjectsHelp with Eco ProjectsElderly CompanionshipGardeningDIY and building projectsAnimal CareFarmstay helpCreating/ Cooking family mealsHelp around the houseGeneral MaintenanceUN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Our 40 acres is in a mountainous (by Alabama standards) forest with waterfalls, wildlife and private swimming holes surrounded by miles more of Talladega National forest.
We love teamwork and evening dinner social time.Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage
This host offers accommodation and payment.
Host has indicated that they will pay at least the minimum hourly wage of their country for each hour worked and that accommodation will also be provided. They are asking for help with a business or business activity. Contact the host directly via the site messenger for more information and details about the wage provided. Any arrangements should be agreed in advance with your host.
Help
We are building an off grid homestead and nature retreat on 40 acres surrounded by the Talladega National Forest. Looking for select volunteers to help work and live alongside us.
We are working on hiking trails, and camp sites, gathering and chopping firewood, and building a sauna, cabins and an event dome.
Help is needed stacking firewood to fill the woodshed, feeding the chickens, cooking, cleaning in the community kitchen/dining pavilion and host's cabin, construction help and helping support the off grid homestead activities.
We need help supporting the Retreat, cleaning Bell Tents and maintaining campsites.Languages spoken
Spanish: Intermediate
Accommodation
Volunteers are provided a private furnished Canvas Bell on a Wood platform deck in the Forest a real mattress, linens, comforter and common use of the kitchen / dining community pavilion (The Valhalla), Sauna and we have Actually Hot showers.
All food is provided, we usually do an evening meal all together and daytime meals are individual preparation.
Some help is needed supporting retreat guests (less than one hour per day), remaining hours are homestead support. Small cash pay is provided [$50/week] to cover the time helping with retreat business.What else ...
Our land is a clothing optional retreat and we have commercial campgrounds. Some of the people, some of the time choose not to wear some or any of their clothes. We honor each persons individual clothing choices.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have internet, it's not great but it works!
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (30)
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(5.0)
Some things I love about this space: the rewards of our labor are immediate, the respect for humans and the more-than-human is real and tangible, and warmth and… read more
Dusty was a warm and welcoming host, and we enjoyed many a great conversation by… read more
Portia is a very skilled and hard worker, she gathered firewood, did construction, built hiking trails, prepared Canvas Tents for… read more
Dustin had such a unique and experienced view of forestry work, that I was sure to gain… read more
His joyful energy and content spirit was a breath of fresh air to be around, and I appreciated so much the wholesome and… read more
Marisa volunteered here for a week in the Spring of 2019. She was kind, intelligent and an excellent communicator. She helped with many jobs including help with pouring a large concrete slab. I would welcome her back here anytime!
-Dustin
I had most weekdays to myself, free to plan in the work as I saw fit. Dustin and I got some big jobs done on the weekends, during which he patiently took me along in the planning and building phases. We had good synergy and found some… read more
They communicated with me very well before getting to Talladega… read more
His enthusiasm for outdoor fire cooking treated us to some very fine special meals, and his desire to learn any task… read more
We almost completely forgot English was her 2nd, or 3rd, really, language. She was always looking to expand her large and lovely vocabulary to more precisely and poetically express her intelligent voice- it was such a delight to be a part of her high level language development exchange.… read more
The people: Mandy and Dustin are both genuine, kind souls with individually interesting personalities. Caring, intelligent, and fun; each in their own way.
As a couple, they complement beautifully.… read more
There is a special combination of adventurousness , intelligence, interest in the outdoors, care for other humans, care for quality of work, and true pleasure in both working hard and deep relaxation that results in a rare and beautiful type of individual.… read more
While we have only one resident animal, her love of animals extended to helping care for goats and dogs… read more
He quickly became quite comfortable with the challenges of our off grid lifestyle - especially in January. He adapted faster and with the most zest and joy than ANY OTHER volunteer ( more than 100) we have had the pleasure of hosting!
His authentic joy for our project renewed inspiration and… read more
They have a crazy project in a beautiful site and plenty of good vibes are coming out.
The site is really special surrounded by nature and forest. So good to rest and have a break from the city
2 weeks are definitely not enough and hopefully I'll be able to come back to help building the kitchen.
I… read more
The site itself was beautiful and simple- an outdoor kitchen located beside the fire pit made sharing food and warmth around the fire second nature.
Dustin and Mandy are both incredible people. Mandy was so appreciative of the… read more
She is INCREDIBLE. All the Stars. SUPERSTAR. Mature and wise beyond her years. Curious and mindful, with a drive for life and learning that truly inspires.
She has a strong work ethic and is very… read more
He tirelessly helped us build a new lumber rack- using manual post hole diggers, skill saw, string… read more
Dustin and Mandy are relationship goals. I admire how deeply in love Dustin and Mandy are. They'er kind, loving and energetic. I loved how attentive Mandy constantly was to all my needs and making sure I felt at home and comfortable. Not to mention her food!! oh my gosh... SO TASTY!… read more
It was her first workaway experience, but her zest for adventure and mature, elegant, graceful way she fit into our lives organically was shining far beyond many much more seasoned travellers !
She has a real talent and passion for life discovery and family/ group navigation- we felt she became part of our… read more
He is courteous and we'll tempered, a great fit for anyone looking for strong help.
They also try to give you work which you really love to do which is quite special.
Again, Thank you so much for… read more
Up for any challenge, strong, intelligent, capable also kind and open for instant dear personal relationship. We consider her… read more
What a self sufficient team- what zest for life- what natural , hardy , and free flowing outdoor spirits !
Such curiosity and optimism- we were so lucky to have them not once but twice::
After insulating and staining our house, treating us to veggie delights on the cook fire , and a million small highly sustaining… read more
- Dustin and Mandy