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Mike J.
Samba Member
Joined: July 14, 2020
Posts: 12
Location: Buffalo, NY
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 Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2021 11:09 am Post subject: Harvest Hosts |
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I recently joined a program called Harvest Hosts, and I wanted to tell you about it. For $79/year, your can stay overnight at participating wineries, breweries, and farms across the US and Canada. They just ask that you spend some money at their business, and you must be entirely self-contained (no bathroom). Some places, like the farm I stayed at last week, have an electric hookup (in this case, an extension cord to the barn, which was key because it was 20 degrees out), and water.
Pretty neat option, especially since campgrounds are filling up so fast. Check it out! |
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valvecovergasket
Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2018
Posts: 1491
Location: pnw
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| Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2021 12:09 pm Post subject: Re: Harvest Hosts |
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i keep seeing their ads on instagram but hadnt heard of anyone actually using the service
thats cool!
are they always self contained? it would be cool to have access to a restroom
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gone, but not forgotten: '83 tdi westy - swap thread |
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16496
Location: Brookeville, MD
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MarkWard
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 17106
Location: Retired South Florida
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| Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2021 12:21 pm Post subject: Re: Harvest Hosts |
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| dobryan wrote: |
| My understanding is that they are basically for the RV crowd and provide no bathrooms. |
They might have a compost pile though. 
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deadaheadub
Samba Member
Joined: April 18, 2004
Posts: 787
Location: New Mexico
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| Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2021 1:04 pm Post subject: Re: Harvest Hosts |
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Not sure it's a great fit for a Westy that doesn't have a restroom. I'll bet the winery isn't going to be too keen on anyone dropping trou outside on their property and pissing or shitting.
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Past loves: '65 Bug, '70 Westy poptop, '64 Squareback project, '76 Westy tintop "Loose Lucy", '76 Westy tintop "Sharee"
Current:'84 Westy poptop "Ramblin' Rose- Rosie" w/ 2003 Subaru EJ25 conversion |
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Mike J.
Samba Member
Joined: July 14, 2020
Posts: 12
Location: Buffalo, NY
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| Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2021 1:16 pm Post subject: Re: Harvest Hosts |
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| I got a Thetford portable toilet for the overnights/after business hours. |
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jocoman
Samba Member
Joined: August 11, 2016
Posts: 426
Location: Ottawa, Canada
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| Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2021 2:07 pm Post subject: Re: Harvest Hosts |
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When I looked into it the ad specifically said no pop-up. So I don't think they are Westfalia friendly.
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'97 Volvo 850 AWD Turbo
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valvecovergasket
Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2018
Posts: 1491
Location: pnw
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| Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2021 2:11 pm Post subject: Re: Harvest Hosts |
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| jocoman wrote: |
| When I looked into it the ad specifically said no pop-up. So I don't think they are Westfalia friendly. |
Ah, that's a shame.
Are they worried about the pop top blocking the satellite reception for the rvs on site?
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fxr
Samba Member
Joined: December 07, 2014
Posts: 2316
Location: Bay area CA
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| Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2021 2:22 pm Post subject: Re: Harvest Hosts |
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| jocoman wrote: |
| When I looked into it the ad specifically said no pop-up. So I don't think they are Westfalia friendly. |
It doesn't say that.
It states it allows camper vans.
It states it does not allow 'tents of any kind', and no tent pop-outs. That surely doesn't include our Westy pop-ups, but seems to wish to exclude a side tent on a mini-van. i.e. nothing but vehicle wheels on the ground.
Now whether we'd get away with our grey-water 2-gallon jug is another matter - we've never had a problem with any sites that have required us to be fully self-contained.
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jocoman
Samba Member
Joined: August 11, 2016
Posts: 426
Location: Ottawa, Canada
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| Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2021 2:33 pm Post subject: Re: Harvest Hosts |
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Would be good to hear from others that have joined and used the service to be sure that's its Westphalia friendly. I have a porta potty on-board, so that should be good enough.
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'97 Volvo 850 AWD Turbo
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SCM
Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011
Posts: 3114
Location: Bozeman MT
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| Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2021 3:46 pm Post subject: Re: Harvest Hosts |
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I spent a season as a cellar boy and grape pruner at a vineyard.
It's simultaneously pretty low and high on my list of places I'd want to camp.
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32565
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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SCM
Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011
Posts: 3114
Location: Bozeman MT
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| Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2021 4:59 pm Post subject: Re: Harvest Hosts |
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Dave, where are you at in NJ? My grape pruning days were spent in Belvedere at Four Sisters Winery.
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32565
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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vanagonjr
Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2010
Posts: 3430
Location: Dartmouth, Mass.
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| Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2021 5:32 pm Post subject: Re: Harvest Hosts |
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I’ve have been targeted by their ads frequently-it does sound enticing.
I find the financial model a little strange. The hosts get nothing for having you.
It’s expected that you will spend what you typically spend for a campground each night buying their goods, whether it be wine, beer or food.
I hope it works out for the hosts. I just picture people buying a single bottle of wine and staying 2, or 3, nights.
It certainly is aimed at the RV crowd, but lately their ads have had Sprinters, Promasters and, gosh Vanagons.
Certainly have to be self-contained by the rules.
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VicVan
Samba Member
Joined: July 01, 2015
Posts: 1837
Location: Vancouver Island, BC
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| Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2021 9:20 pm Post subject: Re: Harvest Hosts |
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| vanagonjr wrote: |
. The hosts get nothing for having you.
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If that's the case, where do the $79 go?
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0to60in6min
Samba Member
Joined: November 27, 2006
Posts: 3416
Location: OR & CA (Oregon/California)
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| Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2021 9:37 pm Post subject: Re: Harvest Hosts |
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| Quote: |
| If that's the case, where do the $79 go? |
well... I guess the $79.00 will put the host on the list or map... then people show up with their BIG camper trailer, buy a bag of veggie, or carrot for $5.00 and stay for 3 nights...
way cheaper than a campground fee...  |
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Xevin 
Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2014
Posts: 7622
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| Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2021 9:38 pm Post subject: Re: Harvest Hosts |
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My buddy does this. He has a Promaster. He totally digs it. If it’s true a Vanagon
With its own portable potty is welcome. Could be pretty cool. He stays at some pretty neat places for the night and it’s not like its a packed campground. Sure he buys some dinners, wine, or whatever. You get a random place to stay, meet some interesting folks, and buy something you actually get. It’s not for everyone. I don’t have the time to travel like that. But if I did and it was Van friendly, I’d consider it, based on his experience and photos.
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22633
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2021 2:52 am Post subject: Re: Harvest Hosts |
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Why not drive up to the places and say, “can I camp here and buy stuff ?”
,..and give the $79 to the hosts you use rather than some coder in “ the Bay Area”
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djkeev
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Joined: September 30, 2007
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Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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