Work Exchange Program

We have a limited number of work exchange positions throughout the year. There are two programs: The Fruit Tree Nursery Program goes from January through April. The Permaculture/Ecotourism Program goes from April till early December. The programs can be combined for a full year program.

In the winter months the emphasis is on the fruit and nut tree nursery involving both mail order and direct sales. Work exchange people are involved in all aspects of fruit tree management, including propagation of fruit, nut and rootstock trees, via cuttings, seeding and field & bench grafting. We also teach tree pruning – we host an afternoon workshop on pruning every January and one on grafting in February. Work Exchange also help with the marketing process including, shipping, dealing with customers and computer work.

In the summer the focus is on the flower and vegetable garden and ecotourism. We have a one and a half acre flower and vegetable garden and orchard, all of which are organic with a permacultural focus. We try to grow much of our own food. We have a dried flower wreath business and a small home crafts business with beeswax candles, salves, chipotle and more. We care for three milking goats, honeybees, two cats, three dogs and a flock of chickens.

We have five riverside cabins, which we use for workshops and private vacationers. Through the cabin business we try to educate people on issues relating to sustainable living, becoming more aware of preserving biodiversity in our food system and understanding what is happening with our natural resources such as water, forests and salmon. We host several workshops based on sustainable living throughout the year. Topics of these workshops include: Permaculture, wild mushroom gathering and identification, grafting and pruning of fruit trees, wildflower illustration, ecology and ethnobotany of the area. Erin and the lovely ladies in the beehive.

Folks who are here for work exchange are expected to help with all aspects of the Sandy Bar Homestead. Examples of tasks you can expect include: working in the garden and tree nursery (i.e. propagation, bed preparation, weeding, mulching, making compost, etc.), animal husbandry, cleaning cabins, natural building, cooking, brush clearing, noxious weed pulling, food preserving, cheese making, and any other seasonal homestead chores. We work closely with our local watershed council and encourage our exchangers to help out with community volunteer days involving restoration work in the forest and river.

We are open to folks from a variety of backgrounds and a diversity of interests. We are looking for self-motivated individuals with a good sense of humor and good communication skills. People on the work exchange program are asked to work 30hrs/wk for Sandy Bar in exchange for room and board and a small stipend. Nearby farms offer the chance for paid work on the side for those interested.