Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
11 Mar 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 3 days
Feedback
38
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
We are a three generation family ranch in the Cariboo region of B. C..
Our comfortable log home is situated on a lake which offers great swimming and canoeing. Wilderness hiking is also available right from our doorstep.There are other farms in the area with helpers and summer bonfires are great for getting to know both the residents and fellow travellers.
We raise grassfed beef on managed pastures as well as organic chickens, and a few pigs in our semi wilderness setting. We have been operating the ranch since 1974 when we came in by boat and constructed our first cabin. We are interested in providing healthy food for our family and for sale. This summer we are continuing our greenhouse cultivation and doing lots of gardening. We will be converting a section of the garden to raised boxes .We are experimenting with various berries and have planted some nut trees which we hope will provide a lasting legacy on the land.
This summer, the main activities include haying, small animal care, and gardening. We appreciate helpers who can commit to stay for at least a month as there is so much to learn! We also have an extensive agricultural library! Some familiarity with machinery would be an asset, as is basic outdoor knowledge. Helpers really need to 'get their hands dirty' ! However, enthusiasm is the main ingredient needed!
Our home is very comfortable and we enjoy sharing time and stories with visitors.
We can meet travellers in Williams Lake. There is now twice weekly bus service from Vancouver on Adventure Charters. It leaves from the Surrey Sky Train station.Types of help and learning opportunities
GardeningDIY and building projectsBabysitting and creative playGeneral MaintenanceCreating/ Cooking family mealsFarmstay helpHelp around the houseAnimal CareHelp with Computers/ InternetUN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
David is knowledgeable in many aspects of Agriculture and also has a background in Canadian and International politics.
We have been living on our ranch for 44 years so have much experience to share.Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We welcome volunteers with an interest in agriculture and healthy food. We enjoy sharing our experiences in building this place over the last 40 years! This summer we will be moving our cattle daily to fresh pastures managed with electric fencing , gardening(planting, weeding, harvesting), and caring for small animals. We will have 10 feeder pigs, 30 laying hens, and probably upwards of 100 chickens for meat. We do have small children about the ranch and would appreciate people who can interact with children.
In the winter we have cattle feeding and chickens to look after, as well as firewood to chop!
There are always building and repair projects on the ranch!Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: IntermediateAccommodation
We have a large log home with several comfortable bedrooms. Volunteer guests are welcome to use our piano, internet for emails, and laundry.
What else ...
We have several family members in this valley and there is a lot of visiting and sharing of activities. We all enjoy summer evening bonfires and we encourage our helpers to swim and canoe right from our front door. For the past two summers we have hosted "House Concerts" on the ranch. Depending on the season we attempt to show our helpers around the region or get them to attend local events.
In the winter we enjoy cross country skiing.A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Varies with the projects at hand. Some short days and some longer. We work it out to suit our volunteers. Usually 25 hours/ wk
Feedback (21)
The place was a beautiful, a wooden house one hour away from the city near a big lake , in the middle of the forest. It was bliss to stay here. It is a perfect place to enjoy nature.
The work wasn't difficult, it was mainly gardening and looking after the animals. We also gained new… read more
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.5)
Communication:
(4.5)
The place was a beautiful, a wooden house one hour away from the city near a big lake , in the middle of the forest. It was bliss to stay here. It is a perfect place to enjoy nature.
The work wasn't difficult, it was mainly gardening and looking after the animals. We also gained new… read more
When we… read more
We are so happy that we decided to spend those amazing three months there and hope to come back one day or another!
Altogether, I had a really good… read more
Katarina was easy to get to know and she felt more like a family member than a guest in our home. Her easy sense of humour was delightful. Katarina quickly learned to do many… read more
I can only agree with the… read more
The work is challenging but fun and I had so many new and exciting experiences here, working in the garden, with the cows and even driving the tractor. I also had plenty of spare… read more
Susan and David were wonderful people and we feel very lucky we were able to volunteer for them. We spend 5 and a half weeks here and looked after the ranch whilst Susan and David went on holiday for 3 of those weeks :) It is a beautiful spot and we were able to learn a lot from them both. We learnt… read more
Basically this place was everything I wanted from my summer. Incredible people, beautiful place, hard… read more
After a few days I already really felt like a part of the family, because I was included in plenty of their activities!
Susan is a wonderful cook, her dinners are just amazing! I enjoyed every single meal. :)
David is a very knowledgeable man and he tries to… read more
Both are great teachers and became close friends to me. Actually the whole family.
I was so happy to work with you, to learn from you and to help you. I'm a 100 percent sure - I will come back to your farm. Perhaps… read more
They approached every task and activity with good humour and boundless positive energy! They were great with the grandkids who are in and out of our home. We shared many laughs around the table and the… read more
The two short weeks spent on David and Susan's ranch were nothing short of incredible. They were both more than willing to share their knowledge, teach new skills, & trusted us with several responsibilities. Examples include moving the cattle to new pastures and raking the hay after cutting.
There was nothing we were asked to do that Susan or… read more
David and Susan are very welcoming, open and warmhearted and you will feel like it's your own family.
I worked on tasks like moving cattle, repairing fences, cuttting /splitting firewood, feeding chickens, cows and horses and things like that.
If I had question or… read more
They have a really nice home and the food is very good. If we needed anything, they helped us. We learned a lot and really liked the trust we were… read more