VOLUNTEER REVIEWS

We have supported Justine's vision in making this small farm even more beautiful than it was when we arrived. There is many things growing on property and we’ve had the pleasure of enjoying this farm to table experience. Since being here we have enjoyed dino kale, chard, bananas, oranges, papayas, peppers, basil, rosemary, oregano, chives, scallions, sweet potatoes, turmeric, ginger, ulu, farm fresh eggs, and coconuts! And there is so much more still growing! The cabin is super cozy, warm and inviting. It’s been a dream to sleep with the coquis and wake up to the birds. Justine has been the most nurturing host we’ve had by far! She also is super welcoming to us as a small family with a toddler. We are still grieving the transition to leave after caretaking this land but will surely be back in the future to see how everything is growing. Our family is being called to deepen our medicine in new land. We pay our respects to all the caretakers of Hawaii past, present and future. We have so much love for the islands and are grateful to be in service. 

My experience volunteering for Justine was phenomenal. It is always a pleasure to contribute to those around me and an honor to serve the aina. During the volunteer experience my partner and I removed all the dead foliage from the sugar cane. We also planted two trees; an egg fruit and soursop. Afterwards we upgraded the pineapple patch by planting a new sustainable ground cover, perennial peanut. Justine as the instructor is very sweet and clear on where things are and what tasks needs to be accomplished. Well rounded and comfortable environment to co-create in. 

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As we were aina playing Chef Justine was cooking up a meal for my partner and I. While we were working she let us sample her soursop jam and gave us a jar to enjoy. The meal was four courses made with local quality ingredients which in turn looked absolutely stunning and delicious. The atmosphere was dreamy as there were roses, string lights, rain trickling, and coqui frogs singing. Her culinary skills are extraordinary! She puts great intention and effort into not only into her meals and environment but how she shows up and nurtures her relationships too.

I would definitely volunteer again. It was a enriching experience from start to finish and a great opportunity for learning. Justine is very encouraging. She’s easy to communicate and work with. It was a joy to craft the aina and we were rewarded with a beautiful farm to table meal afterwards. 

I enjoyed my experience at FarmtoTableHawaii, and the hot outdoor shower felt great under the Hawaiian Stars. Justine communicated everything prior to arrival and the work trade off grid experience allowed me to reflect upon my relationship between the quality of my life and the quality of my presence. Renovating the dome (by painting interior and exterior) gave me the opportunity to offer my creative energy and witness the transformation from start to finish.

Everything was exactly the same as Justine described during our zoom call pre-departure and I appreciated the details that Justine gave on the website, which gave me a great sense of what to expect. Justine was extremely communicative via email, text and in-person - she gave us clear instructions about the farm work or even minor things like where to find tools. I was 100% impressed by how sustainable the farm lifestyle was when Justine first introduced it to me, from the power system to the food we eat. It was my first time staying on a farm and I was able to spend time with myself, go on daily adventures, and arrange the volunteer work with flexibility. I have always been very independent growing up, and am comfortable with spending alone time, but the farm-stay experience redefined independence and self-sufficiency to me in terms of balancing between different tasks, exploring big island and keeping time to myself, while adjusting myself to a completely different lifestyle. I got to see my own adaptability, and really enjoyed spending a few hours a day volunteering on the farm!

I’m satisfied with my experience overall and the expectations were very clear! Living on the farm is very different from urban life, and the novelty of the volunteer program made the stay highly memorable. I did lots of hand weeding, which was quite therapeutic; I also learned how to use a lawn mower, which was fun. I am now a lot more mindful of my day-to-day cooking ingredients, sustainable practices, how to work in nature, and my daily activity level/patterns (especially how much time I spend outdoors). It made me realize that I have grown very accustomed to modern conveniences and enjoyed learning more about farming and great survival skills!

FarmtoTableHawaii was an awesome experience for me! Justine, who runs the work-trade program and farm, is an amazing and outstanding human being, and I’m richer for having gotten to know her. She interesting, fun, kind, wise, resourceful, and a memorable chef! I found the work-trade program work to be rugged and real, and a great way to connect with nature in Hawaii. Be sure to read everything in the instructions manual Justine gives you upon arrival for the safest and best experience possible. If you’re doing soul-searching, adventuring, or looking to connect with nature/the land in Hawaii, FarmtoTableHawaii might be just what you’re looking for. It was exactly what I needed, and Justine was an awesome coach along the way who respectfully suggested a thought here or there that turned out to be something helpful on my journey. Thank you, Justine, for providing an experience that contributed to a life-changing pivot-point in my life! Mahalo!