Have you studied the plants—read the books, followed the blogs, listened to the podcasts—and now long for a hands-on experience, directly with the plants?


Are you seeking a community of plant people who see plants as kin?

Are you curious about what happens behind the scenes at The Homestead—about the daily rhythms, seasonal shifts, and the care that goes into working with plants and crafting herbal preparations?

Workbee Wednesdays are your chance to immerse yourself in the daily rhythms of The Homestead while nurturing your relationship with the plants and deepening your connection to the Earth.

Come lend your energy—and in return, receive hands-on learning in the living classroom of The Homestead.

HONEYBEE HOMESTEAD

McDonalds Corners ON

Your Time at The Homestead

On select Wednesdays, we welcome you into our circle of community members who want to:

  • Pitch in with seasonal tasks—planting, harvesting, weeding, drying herbs, making herbal preparations, and more.

  • Learn by doing—you’ll absorb teachings woven into each task, with time and space to ask questions.

  • Engage in a communal spirit of reciprocity and shared purpose.

Throughout the season, you’ll witness the full cycle of growing, harvesting, and processing.

Choose a 3-hour Workbee session:

  • Morning (9am–12pm)

  • Afternoon (1pm–4pm)

  • Evening (5pm–8pm)

2025 Dates:
June 11, 18, 25 | July 2, 16, 30 | August 13, 27
September + October: Dates TBD

Your Takeaways

While you’re offering your time and energy to support The Homestead, you’ll also receive something deeply meaningful in return:

  • An immersive opportunity to live and work in rhythm with the seasons

  • Tangible skills and growing confidence to bring land-based practices into your everyday life

  • A taste of what it means to tend to plants as kin, not just resources

You’ll be guided by our head honeybee, Melissa, who brings:

  • 16+ years of experience in farming, folk herbalism, homesteading, and foraging

  • 25 years of facilitation—including mentoring farm interns and welcoming hundreds of volunteers each season

Melissa fosters an environment where learning happens organically—through doing, observing, and being in community. Everyone is welcome, whether you're experienced or a total newbie.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to deepen your relationship with seasonal rhythms, Workbee Wednesdays offer a chance to explore plants, people, place, and play.

 
 

Who This Is Designed For

You’ll thrive in Workbee Wednesdays if you are:

  • Genuinely curious about folk herbalism, land-based practices, and homestead life

  • Willing to roll up your sleeves and help with whatever’s needed that day

  • Comfortable following directions, working solo or in a group

  • Physically able to do manual tasks like squatting, lifting, carrying, and twisting

  • Committed to showing up once you’ve signed up

  • At ease working outdoors in various weather conditions

  • Able to travel to The Homestead (McDonalds Corners, ON)

  • Someone who sees work as a form of play and connection

  • Excited to be part of a like-minded community rooted in reciprocity, learning, and collaboration

    No experience necessary—just a willingness to learn.

This Might Not Be the Right Fit If...

  • You’re looking for a structured, step-by-step workshop

  • You prefer one-on-one mentorship or formal instruction

  • You can’t commit to the date you’ve signed up for

  • You’re uncomfortable with unpredictability or outdoor physical work

 

Are you looking for a deep dive into Homesteading?

We’re dreaming up a year long deep dive to take you through all of the season. Let us know if you’re interested!

 

Who we are

Melissa Cornacchia

Melissa is the Honeybee (Melissa, meaning "honeybee" in Greek) of the Homestead. She moves through life as a homesteader, folk herbalist, forager, naturalist, farm hand, and dancer, sharing her love for nature and creativity. After over a decade of moving annually, she has come home to herself at The Homestead by rooting into place and being guided by the cycles and rhythms of nature. Melissa gathers people to learn and create together, fostering community through shared experiences with plants throughout the seasons.

Ready to Join?

If this resonates with you, we’d love to have you.

Let’s get our hands in the dirt—together.
Fill out the form to tell us a little about yourself, and we’ll be in touch within a few days.

What past participants are saying:

“Thanks for putting this on. I’m looking forward to meeting other like-minded people and getting some hands on skills about herbs!” 

— J

“I personally enjoyed the full experience, with like-minded people and connections to nature and nurturing ourselves in and with nature. I plan on attending more day programs in the future.”
— S

“Melissa, it was such a lovely day! It was rejuvenating and exactly what I needed. If you do more like this, I’m in!”
— L

Are you interested in learning about basketry using local, seasonally harvested natural materials?

Join Honeybee Homestead at the Lanark Highlands Basketry Museum this summer and fall for hands-on learning and traditional craft. Learn more and register here