Help create a self-sustainable community on my desert ranch in Apple Valley, California

Details

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  Description

  Hey everyone! My name is Jonathan and I'm a 36-year-old, LGBT-friendly, retired Air Force Veteran.
  
  I have a 5-acre ranch in the high desert of Apple Valley, California. I plan on creating a self-sustainable regenerative community and I need your help, experience and knowledge! I am just in the beginning stages of this process.
  
  I am currently working on building structures around the ranch for workawayers to utilize (dorm rooms, bathrooms, camping space, etc.). This year I'd like to build a greenhouse for my vertical garden towers. I'd like to grow 90% of the food we eat here at the ranch. If you’re experienced with construction, please reach out!
  
  We host a lot of events at the ranch, some monthly and some weekly.
  
  Please read through my entire profile to make sure this experience is right for you. Whenever you reach out, include the exact date you'd like to come visit as well as the length of your stay. I'll send a short questionnaire, and whenever I receive your reply and decide it's a good fit for us, I will schedule a video chat and confirm your dates and accommodations. If you are flying here, you must coordinate your travels to arrive at the Victorville Bus Station (16838 D St, Victorville, CA 92395) and confirm a pick up date/time with me. There is a 2 week minimum for accommodations here. It helps with the flow and routine of the ranch.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Elderly Companionship

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  You can learn more about taking care of farm animals, ranch experience, helping with vertical garden towers, and exploring California.

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  Help

  Our schedule here is Monday through Thursday from 9am-2pm with a break for lunch at 12pm. You can expect any of the following combinations of tasks during your stay:
  
  -Animals (feeding, refilling water dispensers, cleaning up the cat house/barn stalls/pens & chicken coop)
  -Gardening (planting, pruning, propagating, watering, cleaning pots, etc.)
  -Yard Help (weed eating/spraying, mowing the lawn, insect/pest control)
  -Ranch Maintenance (mostly handy-man type work like fixing things around the ranch or putting together equipment)
  -Organizing Materials (organizing tools, supplies, labeling, etc.)
  -Construction (building sheds, greenhouses, outhouses, etc.)
  -Caretaker (My Mom is in her 70's and is a breast cancer survivor who has early onset Alzheimer's. She is self-sufficient but forgetful. She loves to play card games, go to the diner for breakfast, play bingo on Wednesdays and Thursdays and smoke/share her weed, lol.)
  
  I will most likely assign tasks based on your skills and preferences; however, you must be flexible and willing to work any of these tasks if needed.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  I am interested in learning more Spanish
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  Accommodation

  If you need accommodations I have converted my 1,200 sf garage into a dorm for workawayers. This includes:
  
  2 Queen Sized Beds with Curtains for Privacy, Storage for Clothes & a Night Stand
  Living Room w/ a 50" TV
  Wood-Burning Stove for the Winter
  Air Conditioning for the Summer
  2 Computer Desks
  Small Kitchenette w/ Hot Plates, Fridge, Sink, & Cooking/Dining Materials
  
  You will be sharing this space with another workawayer (2 if they are a couple). The garage doors can sometimes be noisy if it is windy out so please keep this in mind. I have also provided ear plugs to use when sleeping. This space is to be kept clean at all times since it is a communal environment. This means washing, drying and putting away your dishes after you eat, wiping down tables and countertops, vacuuming when necessary, and putting your things away.
  
  If you have your own accommodations like an RV, camper, van, or bus, I have an RV hook-up with septic, water, and electricity. If you plan on setting up a tent, we have plenty of outdoor space for you to choose a location. Keep in mind the desert gets extremely windy. You will have access to a shared bathroom as well as the kitchen and other common areas. For workawayers with their own accommodations, I don't require as many work hours (10-12 hours per week vs 20 hours) and I do not provide food, however you're welcome to grab fresh eggs from the chicken coop and help yourself to shared meals that I prepare.
  
  There is also plenty of outdoor space with firepits, hammocks, and lounge chairs. I have a small outdoor workout area with CrossFit equipment and a small indoor area with workout equipment.
  
  We have Tesla's Starlink for internet which is fast and reliable.
  
  Please make sure you have funds for food. I will provide organic ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, fresh water, canned items, rice, cereals, snacks, spices, and oils, etc. You're also more than welcome to grab fresh eggs from the chicken coop.
  
  Please note that laundry must be done off the premises. We can schedule a trip to the laundromat where you can wash and dry your clothes.

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  What else ...

  There are lots of really good restaurants in my area. I'm 5-10 minutes away from Super Target, "The Gym", Walmart, Starbucks, CVS, local eateries, and a health food store. There's a Farmer's Market every Wednesday and Sunday 5 minutes away from the ranch. And a Sprouts Farmers Market 20 minutes away.
  
  I am centrally located between Los Angeles and Las Vegas (about 2.5-hour drive to both). I'm an hour away from Joshua Tree National Park and Big Bear Lake in the mountains, 1.5 hours from Palm Springs, and 2.5 hours from San Diego. I have an event calendar at the ranch and we usually take group trips/hikes about 2x a month. Let me know what you're interested in exploring during your stay!

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  Digital nomads are welcome! We have Starlink internet and it's fast and reliable. There's plenty of indoor and outdoor space where you can set up your laptop and work.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  I have 1 spot for an RV hook-up. There is septic, water and electricity available.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

  5 hours a day, 4 days a week, M-Th

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