Help at our organic family farm in rural mid-Devon, England

Details

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  Description

  I live on a 240 acre organic farm in rural mid-Devon. I have a flock of 180 breeding sheep and a herd of 28 cows whose offspring are all fattened on the farm for meat. In recent years there has been regular tree planting on the farm, and I am involved with an agroforestry trial, experimenting with planting trees into land to be grazed by livestock.
  My aim is to produce organic meat from animals that have had contented and comfortable lives on a farm which is welcoming to wildlife. I aspire to run a carbon-neutral operation and studies measuring biodiversity, soil and carbon footprint are ongoing on the farm.
  I have grown-up children who have left home and I'm now living alone here for much of the time. I have regular local help on one and a half days a week.
  In the springtime I generally look for workaway help with lambing. At other times of year there are endless different tasks to do around the house and farm including tree care, garden and farm maintenance, help with routine livestock tasks, building repair and maintenance etc.
  There is a holiday cottage on the farm which is let out to visitors in the summer.
  The farm is also home to one cat, three dogs and a horse.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  I am happy to pass on any agricultural or other knowledge that I have. Hands-on experience of lambing and other farm tasks is available. You will experience rural English life. Sometimes there are local events that I will be happy to introduce you to.

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  Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage

  This host offers accommodation and payment.

  Host has indicated that they will pay at least the UK minimum hourly wage for each hour worked and that accommodation will also be provided inline with UK guidance. They are asking for help with a business or business activity. Contact the host directly via the site messenger for more information and details about the wage provided. Any arrangements should be agreed in advance with your host.

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  Help

  Depending on what time of year it is jobs will include livestock care, fence repair, wood chopping, garden maintenance, strimming, all sorts of maintenance and repair tasks on the farm and in farm buildings and the house, painting and decorating etc, etc. Farming is not always predictable and visitors should be willing to help out with whatever comes up.
  At lambing time in March a high proportion of the work is likely to be caring for ewes and newborn lambs. At this time some experience with livestock would be an advantage and a liking for animals and confidence around them is essential.
  At any time people with DIY skills and experience are especially welcome. Many of my buildings are in need of some attention, and the summer workaway accommodation is still a work-in-progress.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent

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  Accommodation

  In the winter and early spring workaway accommodation is in a recently renovated holiday cottage on the farm.
  For the summertime there is a bedsit with it's own entrance in a room in my house. It has basic cooking facilities and equipment. Bathroom facilities are shared with me. Couples or 2 friends travelling together would be ideal at this time.
  Usually workawayers mostly prepare their own food, but we share meals from time to time.

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  What else ...

  We are in a very beautiful part of Devon, and within reach of Dartmoor and Exmoor. North and South coasts are both about an hour's drive away. There are buses from nearby villages (3 miles) to Exeter which is the county town with all amenities. We have bikes that we can lend you for getting around locally. However, visitors should be aware that the farm is in a fairly isolated area and public transport is quite limited. There is a pub and village shops a 40 minute walk away, but not much else, so rural living needs to be to your taste.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

  25 hours a week

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