Guest House with fiber sheep (and maybe a donkey )?

Hello, all!

I figured this might be a good place to tuck in this little seed of a dream ~

someday I think it would be nice to create a peaceful space to offer to others to freely enjoy for a season of rest. Maybe missionaries needing respite, or others who we might hear through the grapevine could use a little time away but might not be able to finance it for themselves.

This is still the tiniest seed as I’m a single 36 yr old gal still paying off my student loan and not particularly geared toward or motivated by anything entrepreneurial. I’m unsure where the place would be or how I’d eventually find myself there, but in the meantime figure it’d be nice to learn some things about operating a little guest house and/or raising sheep (mostly for my own education and relational growth with the Lord as I learn more about His being our Good Shepherd - but I have a hard time with the thought of raising them for meat // think I might get attached, so learning wool processes seems like a practical undertaking if I’m going to enjoy their company). I’d also love a life situation with at least one resident donkey.

Curious if anyone knows of places like this which could use the help in their day-to-day, from whom I could learn by participation? I currently work full time coordinating volunteers and hospitality for a nonprofit group in SW Florida, but am happy to be anywhere and to pursue a transition as the wind might blow.

Thank you for taking the time to read and consider this, and best as you continue in all your efforts toward making your corners of the earth the kind of places you’d like to see in this world.

Gratefully,
Ashley

By the way!
I also interned for a year in tropical agricultural development (primarily for small scale farmers) and worked for a year in the propagation department of the ag nonprofit which I currently support. I also have a deep interest in other cultures and well-developed cultural sensitivity and lots of administrative experience. I love office work . And gardening and the thought of growing all my own beans 🫘! Thanks again for coming this way and I hope many blessings to all of you 🙏🌸!

I know some people who run a guest house for missionaries and others doing ministry work who need a break in OR in the Cascades, its called Sanctuary Inn, I don't think they have any permaculture or farm projects going ... yet, but maybe that is a direction they might be curious about?  Feel encouraged to google them and see if there is commonality there.

Riona Abhainn wrote:I know some people who run a guest house for missionaries and others doing ministry work who need a break in OR in the Cascades, its called Sanctuary Inn, I don't think they have any permaculture or farm projects going ... yet, but maybe that is a direction they might be curious about?  Feel encouraged to google them and see if there is commonality there.

Hi, Riona!

Thank you very much for sharing; unsure how I managed to miss replying to this much sooner but really appreciate the insight . It sounds like they would be good people to connect with to better understand the logistical dynamics of offering such a space. Thank you again and best to you 🌱☺️.

Maybe it would be good to look into Woolfing as there is always a variety of opportunities:

https://permies.com/wiki/213640/wwoofing/experiences/WWOOF-USA

Anne Miller wrote:Maybe it would be good to look into Woolfing as there is always a variety of opportunities:

https://permies.com/wiki/213640/wwoofing/experiences/WWOOF-USA

Hi there Anne,

Ah, thank you very much for this suggestion! As it happens, I am presently wwoofing! While my itinerary here in Cyprus has kept me busy with olives, I have thoroughly enjoyed the area’s sheep’s milk yogurt and find the desire to add this commodity to my someday-learning-lineup .

In the past I had done a quick search for some fiber-focused farms and maybe became a little discouraged about finding my ideal specifications in the areas i was investigating— but perhaps that only means I ought to expand the location range a little more widely and see where the possibilities lead!

Thanks for putting this back on my radar 😊!

(Check out this billboard that brightened the drive a couple days ago; it felt timely!)

Oh my golly, Anne — only just seeing your ‘woolfing’ quip! What a delight ☺️!