"I stayed at Red Gate Farm for just shy of a week, they were my first ever woofing experience and boy did they set the bar high. Not only their knowledge of organic farming but their family values. Such a beautiful family to stay with and help out and every moment felt like being at home. We arrived and straight away got the farm tour and were explained on what they wanted over the few days we were there and then straight for dinner which meals that will blow you're mind. Everything you eat is made from the farm and over the time you are there you can see exactly how it goes from on the farm to your plate. The teaching aspect also was incredible, I have walked away with utmost knowledge and a giant smile! If you are worried about reading they have 5 kids, don't be. They are incredibly well behaved and so well mannered and by day 2 you will love them! Such beautiful friendly children that can't do enough to help you. I can go on and on but I just need to stress - stay at this farm and you will never look back.." --T.R.
"I had the amazing opportunity to be a part of Red Gate Farm, I live locally and was able to spend a year as an intern. The Londrigans all took me in with open arms, and I immediately felt welcomed. Over the course of a year I learned so much that I cant even begin to list all of my wonderful experiences! In short, I got to be involved with everything they list in their "about our farm" plus much more. I got to participate in off-farm activities and even got to visit Amish country! Sean and Danielle are very knowledgeable about all that they do and are very open and patient to teaching and explaining in a way that makes sense. I can honestly not say enough positive things about the Londrigan Family and Red Gate Farm. I would absolutely recommend anyone who is serious about learning and becoming more physically, mentally, and emotionally involved in sustainable living and farming. I gained so much as an individual from this experience and am greatly looking forward to my future adventures in permaculture and with WWOOF. Thank you for such an incredible year. Your generosity has been greatly appreciated." --P.M.
"I spent 4 amazing weeks at Red Gate Farm ! Danielle and Sean are very nice. They love to teach what they know about farming (for instance, how to breed the animals in a way that is close to how the animals live in the wild). This is very interesting ! Everyday, there is something new to do, and something new to learn, about animals or about the vegetable garden or the orchard ! They gave me their passion of farming and I don't know how to thank them for that. I love their concepts about farming, and if I can farm when I will be back in France, I will try to farm the same way. Their intern, Page, is so kind, we became friends very fast. Their 5 children are very nice, and polite.The two oldest ones help us do the chores every morning and afternoon. I did love to be considered as a part of the family during my all-stay. I really hope I will come back to Red Gate Farm, because it was a very good experience for me, and as soon as I left the farm, I missed them all!" --C.G.
"... Sean and Danielle were very enthusiastic and extremely knowledgeable farmers and they love to share their wisdom and their knowledge with the visitors and customers. They are students of the industry, where they are constantly researching and seeking ways to improve their farm and their family life... I got to see first hand some of the "crises" they encountered on the farm and I was really impressed on they responded in a very productive manner to keep going and make the best of the situations. I very much enjoyed the emergency trip to the Amish country and meet the simple folks who were really no different than us. Sean gave me an opportunity to perform a couple of tasks on my own such as building a gate and digging holes so he can accomplish other tasks on his own, which was very much appreciated. Sean and Danielle also taught me how to harvest poultry in a very humane way, which showed me their love and respect for animals and nature. They are great cooks and most of the food we ate were provided by the farm. At Red Gate Farm, safety is paramount. Before performing any tasks that can be dangerous, especially around their Belgian draft horses, Danielle took the time to give me a safety talk to warn me of any potential dangers. They gave me a little time of my own to take in the historic sites at the local park and in Springfield. I would encourage anybody to take the opportunity to work the Londrigans, ONLY if you are an enthusiastic individual, willing to learn, willing put forth the hard work and get dirty, no matter the time of day. Their rules/criterias can be a turn off because their expectations and standards are very high, it is WELL WORTH THE EXPERIENCE!!! One of the best vacations I ever had! Thank you Sean, Danielle, and the kids!!" --D.L.
"My stay at Red Gate farm was something I would suggest to anyone. Danielle and Sean are loaded with knowledge and always willing to teach and share their stories of why they do what they do. My two week stay was an incredible experience that I wouldn't trade for the world...unfortunately the bar is set high for my next trip! If you're looking for a real family setting and are ready to learn, this is the farm for you. The tight knit family operates in a way a family should, they not only taught me farming, but they taught me how to raise well behaved kids. From day one they do a great job of making you feel like you're a part of that family. I remember certain nights just sitting in the living room after a long days work, sharing stories with Danielle and Sean about our lives as we got to know each other. They're also very understanding when it comes to teaching you new things. Many times I would have no idea how to do something and Sean would take the time to show me how the tool works and walk me through the steps. This is the type of learning you can't get anywhere else. Thanks for the great adventure Sean, Danielle and kids!" --D.N.
"It was difficult, it was my first experience wwoofer coming from Italy...But Sean and Danielle have been very patient with me. They were very close to me and they tried to teach me many things. Their family is wonderful, their children are beautiful to me and were like little brothers. I hope to have given the best of myself. Sorry for my no perfect english and for my sure mistake. All of them will remain in my heart" --L.A.
"I stayed at Red Gate Farm... and they made the entire stay one that I would recommend to anyone. They were a very friendly family who were always willing to teach and share their knowledge and experience with me. They were very accommodating and made me feel like part of the family during the stay. They are very knowledgeable in what they do and have a whole library of books you can choose to look at if you ever need a break. You leave with a wealth of knowledge in a variety of areas and even some new skills! Don't be afraid to ask if you want to learn something or don't know how to use a tool or complete a task, they are great teachers. I had a very rewarding experience and may have to bring my family down to their farm day to learn some of their ways!" --N.L.
"I feel incredibly lucky to have my first woofing experience at the Red Gate Farm! ... Although I am wholly unaccustomed to waking up at 6:30 AM (it was my choice to help with morning chores), I surprisingly picked up the routine very quickly. True to the description of work in the farm profile, I don't think I have slept so well in one week since my college swim team training trip... Sean and Danielle believe in this lifestyle to their very core, not just with how they are building their farm, but with the strong connection to their community and rock solid family values. If you stay at Red Gate farm, prepare to question why you even have a television. Furthermore, Sean and Danielle are incredible resources for anyone with an iota of interest in farming, and they possess a wide range of books at disposal to feed your mind while you take a break from work. The entire family is very welcoming and accepting. I had no idea what to expect less several baseline goals (wanted to split wood, milk goats, build gate), but I found the overall experience immensely rewarding. Every evening after working outside I felt a sense of deep peace and satisfaction. Overall, I was very humbled by their dedication, work ethic, and especially their patience, as some of the time was spent not just teaching, but also correcting my mistakes (sorry about the handles, Sean!). Each day I felt as though I were utilizing my mind and body as they were meant to... I am grateful for my experience at Redgate farm..." --S.M.
"I had a wonderful week wwoofing at Red Gate Farm! I spent my time learning how to milk goats, chop wood, harness horses, construct a brick sidewalk and more. Danielle is wonderful about accommodating with your interests so definitely let her know if there are certain things you especially want to learn while wwoofing. If you are a first time wwoofer I highly recommend Red Gate as I am very thankful to the Londrigans for constantly making sure that I was comfortable, doing the activities I was interested in, and knew I could take a break when I needed to. However, if you have been wwoofing for a while and looking for a specialized farm, I especially think you would really gain from working at this farm if you are considering starting your own farm, with sustainable, organic intentions, interested in livestock, and are family-oriented. The Londrigans are very family-oriented and have five kids, so if kids don't make your day better you may be better off somewhere else, but if you love kids, I can't imagine a better home to be at. Everyone is super loving and very welcoming." --E.R.
"I had an enjoyable week at Red Gate Farm. We cleared a bit in the woods, stretched new permanent fencing, worked with horses (including grooming and harnessing), set up a movable turkey pen, went for a dry run with the horses on the neighbor's property for fall wagon rides and chores (including milking). I expressed interest in working with the horses, and they were accommodating. I was able to lead, harness, do groundwork training, feed, and drive the wagon in town. As a complete greenhorn I learned a lot from Danielle's wealth of knowledge. The meals were good - soup, bread, porridge for breakfast, raw goats' milk, pasta, steak, etc. I enjoyed being included in the family..." --B.H.
