Volunteer

Through our volunteer program, we look for individuals hoping to experience life on a small but growing organic market farm. Our program is operated through WWOOF USA. Through WWOOF, volunteers (also known as “WWOOFers”) live and work on the farm (ie farm-stay). You do not need experience farming, and we’d prefer if you come with an open mind. Our volunteers must work with a positive attitude, be able to follow directions, and be self-motivated and responsible. Our suggested stay time is 4-6 weeks*. We work 30 hours per week (7:30am - 1:30pm, Monday - Friday). We use mostly hand tools, so you must be capable of a decent amount of physical labor. We take breaks as often as needed on hot days (this is Texas after all).  We are helping to grow farmers, leaders, and self-motivators. Although this is an opportunity for people with serious farming interest, our vegetable growing operation is often a setting for volunteers and WWOOFers to explore their passions beyond farming.

You will receive lodging (see amenities), a food allowance and more farm-grown fruits and veggies than you can eat! There is plenty of free time to pursue personal interests or group activities in the afternoons and weekends. We take pride in providing a safe and WWOOFer friendly farm. If you are interested in our farm stay program, reach out through our WWOOF page or contact us here.

*We have opportunities for short-term stays through Airbnb seasonally. We will reopen Airbnb in the fall of 2019.

Opportunities

Run by volunteers since Spring 2017, Erin and Shannon Perkins manage the farm along with two long-term, seasonal interns. It is important to us to teach future farmers how to manage a successful WWOOF and volunteer program in addition to “how to farm”. This way, volunteers can have the tools necessary to implement a volunteer-based program after their farm-stay. Donna and Ernest Roth, the owners and our “quality of life” experts of the farm, live on-site and help with gardening, groundskeeping, and the occasional, delicious, farm family meal.

Our delivery output has significantly increased in the last year and we’ll need help growing more! You’ll be helping with projects to increase farm sales, tighten farm efficiency, and finesse our business niche. We strive for our volunteers to learn skills beyond weeding and harvesting. You will have a first-hand experience with the full scope of the work we do everyday.

Farming in South Texas is unique. We have an astonishing 10-month-long growing season (“off-season” is in the heat of July and August). If you decide to stay longer, you’ll experience an incredible crop diversity, and see how we transition crops from cool to hot and back again. Beyond our array of vegetable beds, we have a large orchard with citrus, figs and unique fruits, a grape vineyard, flocks of free-range chickens, bee hives, and a large herb garden.

amenities

We provide comfortable accommodations on the farm so our WWOOFers feel at home. We currently offer 3 private housing options: a tiny house, a renovated Airstream trailer, and a new cabin (see slideshow below). All three have a kitchenette with a cook top, sink, mini fridge, coffee maker, utensils, tableware, and plenty of drawers and shelves for personal belongings. All have indoor seating, HVAC, and a front porch. The outdoor shower has on-demand hot water, a roof, flagstone floor, and is enclosed for privacy. The outhouse is separate from the living quarters, with a sink and electricity. There is also access to grills and a fire pit if the weather permits. Laundry facilities, Wi-Fi, and a landline are all available on the farm. Cell service is notoriously spotty out here in rural Texas. AT&T works well, but Verizon does not. Disconnect from technology and explore the wonders of the farm.

There is plenty of free time to pursue personal interests or group activities like travel to nearby cities**, go out to eat, play with the sweet farm labradors, swim at the pool or wade in the Lavaca River just on the edge of the property. Read a book in a hammock, make art, play music, watch DVD’s, peruse the library, journal, or take an easy farm nap. We have kayaks and a paddle board available for use. We are located close to the Gulf Coast where the trout fishing is excellent. We have one-of-a-kind birding and a back field where you can spot deer and enjoy wildflowers year around. We treat ourselves to family-style farm fresh meals a few times a week… and needless to say it’s always delicious. We speak English, German, and Texan y’all.

**Knopp Branch Farm is 11 miles from the nearest town (Edna) and a 30 minute drive to the nearest small city (Victoria). We are just under 2 hours to Houston and 2 hours to both Austin and San Antonio. Please have your own transportation and insurance.