In February of 2022, Deb Howard, owner of Willapa Bay Heritage Farm in Long Beach, WA, joined Harvest Hosts. In a recent survey, Deb shared her perspective on being a Host. She talked about how much she enjoys the variety of Members that visit the farm, how much fun it is to have children on the farm, and the generosity of Members. What warmed our hearts was hearing how much being a Host meant to her when she was dealing with loss.
For many RVers, Harvest Hosts is about finding a safe place to stay for the night. Touring a brewery, sampling a new wine, or interacting with farmers and farm animals is the pièce de résistance. What members often don’t realize is that Hosts also enjoy the experience.
For Deb Howard, getting to know Members is one of the best benefits of joining Harvest Hosts. Since becoming a Host, Deb and her farm staff have hosted over 1000 people from 40+ states and 10 countries. Deb says, “We’ve welcomed people from all walks of life—you name it, I bet they have visited our farm!” That’s quite a roster!
With that number of visitors, we wondered if Deb had any funny or heartwarming stories about her experiences with Harvest Hosts. She does, and here are two we think you’ll enjoy.
Hosting children is a big deal for farm staff—so much so that they created the Junior Farmhand certificate. To earn this special certificate, the kids help out with farm chores. One farm animal the kids often interact with is Miss Emma, the farm’s special needs goat. A special needs goat, you say? Deb says, “Miss Emma was born with a crooked jaw, which makes her look silly.” For a goat, a crooked jar makes it “a challenge to chew and rechew their cud.”
Despite the challenges, farm staff figured out how to help Miss Emma eat, and now she’s an ambassador for the farm. Miss Emma’s story is inspiring to the many children who visit, with the message that “everyone is special, and everyone has a place in the world, but sometimes you have to go look for the herd where you will fit in best and you have to find out how to contribute to your herd.”
Emma may have found her special calling. She is the farm’s “little nursemaid—she lies down with other goats who aren't feeling well, and helps calm other mamas in labor.” Deb has noticed that the children who visit the farm, especially those with special needs, “really take a shine to Miss Emma.”
One guest, a 13-year-old young man with autism “drew a very elaborate picture for Miss Emma of several flags of the world where she could visit.” This young artist appreciated Emma’s story as it was similar to his own.
What an inspiring story! Deb is now working on a book series, companion coloring book, and plush toy—all about Miss Emma, the goat.
Deb also shared about another Member’s visit with their five children. One of the children honed in on the goats, and asked if he could milk one. Normally, small children don’t participate in milking the goats, but Deb made an exception.
To her surprise, this little guy took to the task faster than anyone she’d ever seen milk a cow, and did a fantastic job. Deb might have been surprised, but the parents just smiled and said, "Well, his name, H'aqla'i, means "farmer" in Hebrew.”
There’s also the practical side to being a Host. Harvest Host Members are often a lifeline for our Hosts. While stays are free, Members still support locations like Willapa Bay Heritage Farm when they buy farm items or make a donation. At Deb’s farm, you can buy produce or one of the farm’s customized Harvest Host packages, which includes, "you pick" herbs, farm experiences such as petting & feeding animals; and the Member’s choice of one farm product. Members have been generous, and, according to Deb, “hosting RVers has made a positive impact on our bottom line!”
When Deb Howard joined Harvest Hosts, she had no idea how important and meaningful it would be for her. In May 2022, Deb’s father passed away. Harvest Hosts Members helped her work through her grief and “come out of her shell.”
If your next road trip takes you through Washington State, reserve a stay at Willapa Bay Heritage Farm (and say “hello” to Miss Emma).
If you’re thinking about a Harvest Hosts membership or you’re ready to join as a Host, learn more here. We can’t wait to help you prepare for your first stay!
