My husband Geoffrey and I run Avodah Farm, an organic vegetable farm located on top of a bluff overlooking Lake Pepin, 3 miles from Maiden Rock and 2.5 miles from Stockholm, WI. We are happy to host folks any time of the year, but be aware that May, June and July are very busy around here so we'll have less time to spend on hosting. Also, Tuesday and Wednesday are our busiest days, June-October (those are our harvest and market days). We do not work or drive on Saturdays, and start our day of rest (Shabbat) with a big meal on Friday evening. We love to host folks for Shabbat if you want to arrive Friday afternoon and leave either Saturday or better yet Sunday morning.

Most of the time we are happy to give cyclists a ride up the hill from Hwy 35 (the Great River Road) if they don't want to conquer one more climb before bed--we have a pickup we can put your bikes in to transport: we've carried three bikes or one bike plus trailer that way.

We tend to eat supper pretty late (between 7:30 and 9 pm) and breakfast pretty early (between 6:00 and 7:30 am), but would be happy to provide a meal or two from fresh, home-grown ingredients if schedules allow. Our kitchen is kosher so we're picky about what you bring into it--please ask before cooking anything you brought. We have a guest area in our basement with a private bathroom, or lots of room to camp if you prefer.

We do have a dog, some cats and small children (and chickens and cows). We also usually have a number of folks around who are working and learning on our farm. We have room to store bikes inside an enclosed shed overnight.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

We live right off the beautiful Great River Road (Hwy. 35), about halfway between the Twin Cities and La Crosse. We have a beautiful organic farm and lots of room for folks to camp or stay.

My family has a very strong history of hospitality to strangers. I grew up in a house with many guests, and I have always enjoyed hosting and being hosted. It is a sacred relationship. All the folks who have hosted me have been very kind and helpful, and all the guests we've hosted have been wonderful, kind folks with interesting stories.

Interests

farming, writing, making cheese and bread, old Scottish ballads (Child ballads)

• cats
• dogs
• chickens
• culture
• writing
• dining
• cooking
• breakfast
• cheese
• running
• cycling
• camping
• history

Music, Movies, and Books

Emily Smith (Scottish folk singer)
Elizabeth LaPrelle (Appalacian folk singer)
Everything written by Ursala K. LeGuin

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I write novels, raise children and grow vegetables, chickens and cows. I make our own bread and cheese and sauerkraut and many other wonderful foods. All this keeps me pretty busy.

Teach, Learn, Share

I want to learn everything there is to know about land-based culture, about foodways and local economies, about "traditional" or pre-industrial/mass culture ways of doing or making things, about food when it's fresh and you know who raised it.

I know something about farming, and something about food.

Countries I’ve Visited

Germany, Israel

Countries I’ve Lived In

Italy, United States