Get involved
Grow with us
This farm is built by the people who show up. A free Saturday, a trade to share, or a whole season to give — whatever you’ve got, there’s a place for you out on the land, hands in the soil, learning as you go.
Ways to pitch in
Lend a hand
There’s no single “right” way to help. Pick whichever one fits where you are right now, or do a little of each.
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Volunteer days on the land
Come spend a morning or a full day with us — planting, mulching, tending beds, helping on building projects, or lending a hand wherever the season needs it. No experience needed. We teach as we go.
We haven’t picked dates yet — check the Events page or drop us a line to get on the list.
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Skills & trades
If you carpenter, weld, cook, write, take photographs, build websites, or keep books, those help this place as much as a shovel does. Tell us what you love to do and we’ll put it to good use.
We’re still figuring out which skills we need most — share yours and we’ll be in touch.
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Bring a group
Scout troops, church groups, classrooms, and families are welcome to set up a hands-on visit. A group day is a good way to pick up the basics of permaculture while getting real work done together.
Group size, ages, and timing are worked out case by case — contact us to plan a visit.
Apprentice to steward
The apprenticeship pathway
Some people come for a day. Others come to stay a while and really learn the land. For them we keep an apprenticeship — a way to go from helping out on a Saturday to running parts of the farm yourself.
It’s the same path Daniel McGill walked: he showed up as an apprentice and grew into the person who runs this place. The way we see it, this kind of knowledge gets handed down by working shoulder to shoulder, not by reading a book — and the apprenticeship is how we pass it on.
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Visitor & volunteer
Start by showing up on volunteer days. Get a feel for the land, the work, and the people before taking on more.
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Apprentice
Settle into a regular rhythm of hands-on learning: permaculture, natural building, food preservation, and the daily care a working farm needs.
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Steward
Take on real responsibility for the place and, in time, teach the next person who shows up ready to learn.
Still taking shape: the apprenticeship length, the time commitment, whether housing or a stipend is offered, and how to apply are all still being worked out. Reach out and we’ll tell you where things stand.
Before you come
What to expect on the land
We want your time here to be good for you and safe for everyone. Here’s what a day usually looks like.
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Outdoor work
Most of what we do happens outside, on uneven high-desert ground, in sun, wind, and whatever the weather’s doing. Expect to get your hands dirty and to move at the pace the land sets.
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Learning by doing
Nobody lectures you. You get handed a task and learn it as you go.
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Come prepared
Closed-toe shoes, sun protection, water, and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty go a long way. We’ll tell you if a particular project needs anything else.
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Rest and shared meals
We work, but we also stop, share food, and talk. Half the point is the people. Rest when you need to — say so and we’ll make space.
Give without giving cash
Tools, materials & in-kind gifts
Money is only one way to help build a garden. Good tools, sound lumber, and leftover materials keep this work moving just as well. Before you bring something specific, give us a heads-up so we can make sure we can use and store it. We’d rather it serve the land than sit in a pile.
- Hand tools & garden tools
- Lumber & building materials
- Seeds, starts & cuttings
- Fencing & irrigation supplies
- Compost, soil & mulch
- Canning & food-preservation gear
- & whatever else you think we can use
Before you drop anything off: reach out and we will share a location, hours, and the handful of items we are not set up to take just yet. Prefer to give financially instead? The Donate page has every way to support the work.
Ready when you are
One message is all it takes to start.
Tell us a little about yourself and how you’d like to help — a volunteer day, the apprenticeship, a skill to share, or a gift of tools or materials. We’ll get back to you and find your place here.