updated  

Volunteer at a remote farm in the wilderness in the West-Chilcotin, BC

  • Favourited 690 times
  • Last activity: 15 Mar 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: 1 month or more

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Details

  • Description

    Description

    We are now looking for long term community members and also short term volunteer help around our farm!

    We are Monika and Fred - in our 60ies - and are running a small organic farm in the wilderness of the West Chilcotin mountains. Come experience off-grid living with us in a small isolated green valley on the borders of the large Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, about one and a half hours away from the next village.

    Over the years we have developed 2 acres for vegetable production and have built a greenhouse into the mountain side. Two dogs, a cat, a small flock of chickens and two milk cows with their offspring are enjoying life with us. With help from volunteers we have built two log cabins, a sauna, a log barn, a cabin with a pool table and dart board, and a clay oven for baking bread the traditional way. We also have a few equipment sheds and a black-smith shop with a forge, anvil, bellows and basic blacksmithing tools.

    Our way of life is mostly self-sustainable and with a small eco-footprint. We like to share our life in the wilderness with people who are interested in an experience of living in and with nature and produce one's own food and at the same time enjoy some of nowadays comforts.

    We are looking to expand our community with likeminded people to diversify, share the work and live in cooperation. The opportunities for work experiences and wilderness adventure are endless.
    We live on 90 acres of mixed forest and meadows which provide many opportunities for shared business ventures and long term participation. If you are interested in a long term stay please mention so in your message.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Farmstay help
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Volunteers can learn how to produce ones own food, like vegetables, fruits, potatos, dairy products, meat, eggs and so on. They can also learn awareness of using energy - as little and efficient as possible, because we live off the grid. Building with logs, from cutting down trees to joinery to roof construction can be learned as well.

    We like to share our way of living including all sorts of activities like hiking on historic trails, attending the lokal rodeo or music festival and get togethers with our neighbours.

  • Projects involving children

    Projects involving children

    This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

  • Help

    Help

    Spring, summer and fall projects include general farm work, haying, maintaining log fences and log cabins and other outbuildings (incl. cutting down trees and milling them on our Alaska saw mill), cutting fire wood, and exploring and maintaining trails.

    We grow all of our vegetables, fruits and herbs ourselves. Therefore most of the farm work will involve manual weeding, planting, transplanting and harvesting of crops as well as processing and preserving food (like canning, drying, freezing, fermenting). We milk our cows and make cheese, quark and yoghurt and would be happy to teach these practices while looking for help caring for our animals.

    We share this small valley with two more homesteads, located about 3km to the east . One of them is a small ranch with a cow/calf operation. Since we have a strong culture of working together where needed, we often help each other out. We cooperate where we can and there will be the possibility of experiencing ranch work, like driving cattle to the summer range, haying, repair and maintenance of ranch equipment, building range fences etc.

  • Languages spoken

    German: Fluent
    English: Fluent

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    We have a modest log house with three small bedrooms and a studio. The bathroom has a shower and composting toilet. We have running hot and cold water. We are off the grid, the house is powered by solar panels. There is a sattelite internet connection. There are also cabins available to accommodate guests/volunteers on a more basic level.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    There is lots of opportunity for hiking and wildlife viewing. The nature surrounding our valley is expansive. We have many small beautifull lakes in the area as well as vibrant mixed forest and volcanic mountain ranges. There are many easy dayhikes up into the alpine leading to stunning views. Black bears and grizzlys for example can be seen quite often, especially in late spring/early summer, and also a great variety of birds.

    In spite of our isolated location we enjoy quite some social life especially during summer and fall. There is usually get-togethers almost weekly. Sports like badminton, volleyball, pool billard, darts and various board games can also provide entertainment.

    Sorry, no coffee shops, pubs or other city entertainment out here in the wilderness ;)

    Concerning the pandemic: We have both been vaccinated and boostered.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    We have a reliable satelite internet connection

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    This host can provide space for campervans.

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Host ref number: 18848183894b

Feedback (14)



Photos

Feedback
















Experience living off-grid in a rural setting, Ontario, Canada
Help with gardening and DIY projects at our country farmhouse on Prince Edward Island, Canada