Hi I'm Austin. I currently winter in the Catskills with my Tibetan terrier, named Rocco, at my girlfriend Helens hand built cabin in the mountains. I'm an organic farmer living in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California in the summer. Which was an easy transition from my last career as a an aspiring chef. I started working in farm to table restaurants when I was fifteen. I spent every summer of high school working at a gourmet café in Dubois, WY a town near Yellowstone National Park. Once out of High school I spent my early twenties working at some of the best restaurants in Milwaukee, Minneapolis, and Duluth, MN. I will always have a passion for the culinary arts, but I prefer being out in nature growing the food.

When I'm not working on the farm, I love to forage for all sorts of thing such as wild edible mushrooms and wild herbs. I also love to mine rocks and minerals. I find great joy in searching for agates on the shore of lake supior, or mining gold and quartz in northern California.

I used to skateboard all day everyday, but now that I'm older I rarely have a chance to ride. Anothger thing in life that means a lot to me is going to see good concerts such as Phish and Grateful Dead cover bands, but I've slowed down on going to shows too because I am trying to settle down. I think it would be amazing to have a family, and raise some children on a off the grid family farm.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I am on Couchsurfing because my girlfriend and I are going on a road trip from Woodstock, NY to Nevada City, CA. We are first driving south to Knoxeville, TN So we can have a warmer adventure out west. We plan on camping in national forests along the way, but we also thought it would be great to to see if anyone can host us in City or two along the way. I love meeting new and interesting people. I know about Couchsurfing because Iused to frequent a hippie commune in Santa Cruz, CA called Bean Creek. Bean Creek used to host couchsurfers all of the time, and they were almost always really good and interesting people. A lot of them were from Europe or Canada.

Interests

• dancing
• skateboarding
• swimming
• phish
• wild camping
• roadtrips
• bycicling
• foraging
• philosphy
• mining
• off the grid living
• grateful dead

Music, Movies, and Books

I love all genres of music, but I'd have to say my favorite band was the Grateful Dead. I also love Hip-Hop.

My favorites kind of movies are comedies such as Caddyshack, Airplane, and Blazzing Sadles.

As far as books. I like reading sociatal handbooks such and 1984 or Brave New World. I also enjoy reading books about religion and philosophy. I enjoy a good fiction book from time to time too.

Most of the time I read independent new stories. I think it important to be caught up with current events.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

An amazing thing that I've done was work super hard to be Sous Chef at the best wine bar in Minneapolis, MN by the time I was 22.

Teach, Learn, Share

I am in the movie the Untouchables. The movie was filmed in Chicago shortly after I was born and my dad was friends with the director. I play Elliot Ness's baby right before he goes out to bust Al Capone.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I am just a humble farmer who loves to meet new people. I would be forever grateful if you could host my girlfriend and I. Not only can I cook for you I am really good at claening up afterwards.

Countries I’ve Visited

Jamaica