Work-Exchange Terms and WWOOFing at Kona Biodynamic Farm
Thank you for your interest in our farm. We ideally want to make our farm available to, and work with, folks who have an interest in farming, but we are willing to consider anyone who is friendly and willing to work hard while they are here. We would enjoy exploring further the possibilities of your coming to work and stay at our farm.
The Farm
Kona Biodynamic Farm is about 10 acres of an almost 40-acre property. The farm is being developed in conjunction with a Waldorf children’s school also on the property. We have an acre and a half of gardens fenced in (to keep wild pigs out). We have a few cows, sheep, goats, chickens, a donkey and various avocado, banana and fruit trees throughout the property.
The gardens at Kona Biodynamic Farm are in a constant state of flux year round.
The School
Kona Pacific Waldorf School has classes from preschool through the eighth grade (www.konapacificschool.org). Its campus on the land is a hubbub of activity with its students, their families, teachers and staff. Kona Biodynamic Farm conducts numerous farm and garden children’s classes and event throughout the school year. We also run a farm day camp throughout the summer.
The Locale
We are in the tropics at 19½º latitude in Kealakekua on the Kona (west) side of Hawaii (“The Big Island.”) The largest town, Kailua-Kona, is about a twenty minute drive north of here. The Kona airport is a bit further north (about thirty minute drive from the farm). Rainy season varies from place to place throughout the islands. Our locale gets most of its heaviest rains during the summer with its longer days evaporating water from the ocean which rises up to the mountain’s cooler climate and condenses into rain. The farm lays between 1700-2000' elevation. We can see the ocean from here, although the nearest beaches are about five miles away. Beholding sunsets from the farm can be quite spectacular! One of the world’s most active volcanoes is just a few hours drive south.
The People
We are a family of four. Our littlest child, Mikey is five. His sister, Kelly is thirteen. Catherine and Phyl are forty-nine. We started working with the WWOOF program in 2005. So far we’ve had as many as six wwoofers here at once, although we believe three or four folks at one time may be more optimal. Given the transient nature of WWOOFing it is difficult to tell you how many people might be here during your stay. So far the mix of WWOOFers at any given time has been great; we trust it will continue being so.
The Work
Our work exchange is quite simple. We ask for 30 hours of good solid work per week. We work six hours a day, in the mornings between 6:00 AM and 1:00 PM, for five days. That leaves afternoons, evenings and two days per week free for sightseeing, beaching, off-farm jobs, etc. We try to be flexible if needed. For instance, if people want to switch days off or work longer days so they can take more than two days off that can sometimes be worked out.
The Exchange
We have a rustic old two story farm house (tropical “shack” style) for farm use and wwoofers to share. You’d have your own bedroom and share the common areas with each other and other farm folk. The house includes all the utilities: electricity, propane, local phone (bring a calling card for long distance) and water. We provide basic food, like grains and dry goods. We share some of whatever produce is coming from the farm. For instance, sometimes there’s all the avocado you could possibly eat. For those who eat meat we also often have farm produced beef and wild pork. Farm fresh whole milk, yogurt, eggs and wheatgrass juice are also usually available. We can sometimes help out with local transportation, but make no promises.
The Stay
We are fairly flexible regarding the length of the work exchange. A couple of weeks to a few months is typical. Please let us know your arrival and departure dates prior to your arrival. This helps us to coordinate having space available for you, and others. We realize sometimes a person gets here and discovers it’s just not quite the right fit for them, or we find it’s not quite the right fit for us. Thus, either you or we always have the freedom to terminate the stay. Sometimes folks find they want to spend more time working and staying here than they planned. Requests for extended stays are considered on a case by case basis.
WWOOFer accommodations at Kona Biodynamic Farm are shared in this two story "Coffee Shack" (south view.)
The Rules
Kona Biodynamic Farm is a nonprofit community oriented farm. We are not a laid-back hang-out kind of place. We only have a few basic rules. Everything has to be legal, no drugs, etc. No partying on the property. (It’s important to remember we share the property with a children’s school.) No smoking. All folks must be accepted into our program prior to staying here. Do not bring other folks (or animals) to stay at the farm without our approval. We request you discuss with us right away any questions or concerns that come up for you. We reserve the right to accept or reject participants in or out of the work exchange program at our farm, thus if we require you to move on you must. The main thing is we respect each other, work hard and have fun.
The Challenges
We have a 300' rise from one end of the property to the other. Mosquitoes can be quite bothersome to some folks. It can sometimes be difficult working in the heat and sun. On the other hand, periods of heavy daily rains can sometimes last for weeks. Laboring on a farm can be hard work. This is a community project. Thus, the privilege of privacy can sometimes be a bit thin. We are not master farmers; we’re learning too.
Between the gardens on the farm, the school campus, livestock, pastures, compost yards, infrastructure (roads, irrigations, facilities, etc.), developing a farming program with the school children, etc., etc. there’s plenty of work, fun and challenges here.
We look forward to the possibility of working with you.