Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
20 Jun 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
38
Email verified
Badges (3)
Give the gift of Workaway
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Details
Description
Odd moments of cold.... as everywhere..... with summer on the horizon. I'd appreciate help at this time... if the weather cooperates ..... specifically painting; some fencing, gardens using permaculture, small greenhouses and small pond development. There's always maintenance, firewood gathering, tending to animals.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You can learn new tool skills- animal husbandry- small town headaches and positives.
This is the rural mid-west; it's a Colorado lifestyle.
Help
Just bring a flexible attitude- strange how things can go askew.
All skills will be taught; it's not necessary to have done things before. Expect some heavy lifting.
I will provide everything you will need ( ear/ eye protection, gloves, tools, materials etc ).
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
In your own or in my trailer: power and chemical toilet .... use of house kitchen and bathroom/ shower.
What else ...
The house is clean and tidy. There are no indoor animals. Woodstoves for heating.
There's a very friendly and helpful town and library within walking distance.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Bring a booster so you can access from your residence.
Space for parking camper vans
30 amp service. Water alongside but may not be hose compatible in winter temperatures. Have your own toilet set up ( composting, tent etc ) or I have a chemical toilet you can use ( dump outlet on property ) You're welcome to shower up in the house. Firewood is available.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Host ref number: 000000000213
Feedback (20)
17 Apr 2025
Left by host for Workawayer (Youngforever)
Fantastic to cross every project off my " need help " list ..... we trimmed hooves, modified a building, and importantly lifted and installed roof beams for the last barn construction progress.
Jan brought ideas and skills, energy and willingness to be that help.
I am grateful.
Jan brought ideas and skills, energy and willingness to be that help.
I am grateful.
(Excellent
)
15 Apr 2025
Left by Workawayer (Youngforever) for host
A fantastic place to be as a workawayer. Enthusiastic about her animals and her environmentally friendly way of doing her work. The way she grows her own vegetables demands respect. I am very grateful that I was able to help her with that. It is a workaway host that I would like to recommend.
22 Sep 2021
Left by Workawayer (Cindy) for host
Working alongside Gillian was an awesome. She taught me a little bit about a lot - how to feed goats, build a natural twig fence, hitch a trailer, hold a chicken, make a fly catcher, etc. She is warm, direct, clear in directions, and inspires you to step it up - if she can do it so can you! She is inventive and it was interesting to see how she… read more
26 Jun 2021
Left by Workawayer (Lauren & Nergis) for host
Absolutely the experience of a lifetime. Gillian was quite wonderful, and taught me useful skills. She really pushed me to my best and I am forever grateful. The animals are super sweet and I absolutely love them. It was my first work away experience and it definitely was one of my favorite travels so far. Such a beautiful home. Going to miss… read more
Photos
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(5.0)
17 Apr 2025
Left by host for Workawayer (Youngforever)
Fantastic to cross every project off my " need help " list ..... we trimmed hooves, modified a building, and importantly lifted and installed roof beams for the last barn construction progress.
Jan brought ideas and skills, energy and willingness to be that help.
I am grateful.
Jan brought ideas and skills, energy and willingness to be that help.
I am grateful.
(Excellent)
15 Apr 2025
Left by Workawayer (Youngforever) for host
A fantastic place to be as a workawayer. Enthusiastic about her animals and her environmentally friendly way of doing her work. The way she grows her own vegetables demands respect. I am very grateful that I was able to help her with that. It is a workaway host that I would like to recommend.
22 Sep 2021
Left by Workawayer (Cindy) for host
Working alongside Gillian was an awesome. She taught me a little bit about a lot - how to feed goats, build a natural twig fence, hitch a trailer, hold a chicken, make a fly catcher, etc. She is warm, direct, clear in directions, and inspires you to step it up - if she can do it so can you! She is inventive and it was interesting to see how she… read more
26 Jun 2021
Left by Workawayer (Lauren & Nergis) for host
Absolutely the experience of a lifetime. Gillian was quite wonderful, and taught me useful skills. She really pushed me to my best and I am forever grateful. The animals are super sweet and I absolutely love them. It was my first work away experience and it definitely was one of my favorite travels so far. Such a beautiful home. Going to miss… read more
14 Jan 2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Ethan & Claire)
I would highly recommend this couple for anyone needing to get things done !! Both are quick learners AND conscientious about what they do . In their week here Claire started my greenhouse mural, organised my bike shed, helped re roof a shelter, dealt with animals, including help trim hooves, as well as many moving jobs. Ethan helped with animals,… read more
(Excellent)
12 Jun 2019
Left by Workawayer (Roxane) for host
Gillian was my first host ever and she has set the bars way too high since. Lol. She's wonderful as a person, a host, a teacher, a traveler, and a guardian. She taught me all practical skills that I needed to know to survive if I ever got stranded in an island or a forest. Coming from a professional/city life settings, I'm thankful to have met and… read more
30 Mar 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Roxane)
Roxane is happy and helpful. It is overwhelming to come to an animal space and jump in to give assistance, and every day she jumped in to learn more and subsequently to help more. I can recommend having Roxane help out with your projects.
(Excellent)
30 Mar 2019
Left by Workawayer (Cassandra) for host
I had a great time completing my first workaway at Gillian's place! I came with little to no skills to offer, and left having done so many things and having learned so many new skills! I absolutely loved helping Gillian care for her farm, my favorite including her two gorgeous horses, her funny black goat, and all of her sweet dogs. The experience… read more
30 Mar 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Cassandra)
She is true to her profile.... and happy to help. Cassie helped burn weeds, cut hooves, move large whiteware, socialised with locals, assisted the demolition of a shed & lawn care for an elderly resident, jumped in with the animal chores and inside took turns to cook. She learned quickly so was helpful from the outset for her short 4 day stay. I… read more
(Excellent)
20 Mar 2019
Left by Workawayer (Mary) for host
I had planned for a couple weeks stay with Gillian but we both agreed that I would move on after our first work day together. Gillian is a lovely person, but we have quite different personalities and communication styles. Additionally, I am sensitive to chemicals and odors and I was uncomfortable with Gillian's practice of burning trash on her… read more
11 Mar 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Mary)
(Neutral)
5 Jun 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Taylor)
I personally liked Taylor and I thought he did some excellent work while he was here, especially painting ... I think it is a job he could enjoy immensely and have as a career. His stay here was shortened due to poor social interaction which for some hosts might not be an issue. We however have a lot of people pass through here hosting summer… read more
(Neutral)
8 Apr 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Christo & Gabrielle)
Christo and Gabby bring great attributes with them .... it was lovely to share this short period in their journey west and into adulthood on their terms. Both are great conversationalists, and both try hard on tasks. Very responsible cleaning up after themselves in the house and out working on projects; kitchen and tools put back in place. They… read more
(Very good)
28 Mar 2018
Left by Workawayer (Kiah) for host
Gillian was amazing, so willing and patient to teach me how to do anything and everything I wanted to do. Looking forward to visiting again.
24 Mar 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Kiah)
Kiah easily is one of the best helpers I've had the pleasure to work with; she is a fast learner, energetic, creative and willing to go beyond the call of duty. With a very infectious laugh and smile, there is great conversation and the work lightened by her joie de vivre.
If one is lucky she also excels in the kitchen with wonderful banana bread… read more
If one is lucky she also excels in the kitchen with wonderful banana bread… read more
(Excellent)
27 Dec 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Paul)
Paul brings a lot of skills with construction, house remodelling and thinking along non-conventional lines; he also carried tools ready to tackle any job. He already had experience in hosting so was a huge asset in my planning and design. After work Paul explored the Arkansas valley quite extensively - he can quite possibly tell you every soda… read more
(Excellent)
25 Dec 2017
Left by Workawayer (Paul) for host
I found the prairies of southeast Colorado a very welcoming environment to stop for a while. Gillian has an interesting property on the edge of town with dogs, horses, goats, and a variety of birds that roam freely about the compound. Of the birds, I have to give kudos to the pack of five pheasants who cover a lot of ground during the day and just… read more
27 Aug 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (cro225)
Leon came with experience with building tools to enable us to jump in on two major construction projects. I'd been waiting for this kind of help; Leon had the right skills. Leon certainly improved our situation here with his labour. We are grateful; Josh especially :)
I hope Leons time here added to his arsenal of knowledge in putting things… read more
I hope Leons time here added to his arsenal of knowledge in putting things… read more
(Excellent)
12 Aug 2017
Left by Workawayer (cro225) for host
my stay with gillian was wonderful I learned a lot about construction and carpentry work. was great to see how see takes care of her interesting place. gillan was good host and she knows what she wants.
23 Aug 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Lidia & Aritz)
It was a very chaotic hosting for me: deteriorating to where Lidia left without a farewell. Aritz, to his credit, worked hard to maintain civility . Prior to this breakdown there had seemingly been good moments but we had obvious and insurmountable differences in expectations. I am also dismayed that an item loaned was taken when they departed.
I… read more
I… read more
(Neutral)
4 Jul 2017
Left by Workawayer (Vanessa) for host
This was my first workaway experience and it was absolutely exactly what it needed to be. Gillian is a wonderful host and incredible human being. She truly cares and connects with everyone she meets, and gives so much. She has very high expectations, but it is certainly justified as she works very hard herself! Everything she does is for others,… read more
18 Sep 2016
Left by Workawayer (Jojo) for host
Gillian is an incredible woman. Knows what she wants and goes for it. Shes amazingly knowledgable in many different aspects of life. I learned an abundance of skills that range from power tools, fence building, community relations, and animal maintenance. Honestly, quite an amazing experience!
27 Jul 2016
Left by Workawayer (Emmanuelle) for host
Gillian is the best host ever.
She has a lot of patience, she taught us a lot of things to do who made this experience with her incredible ! A lot of animals to deal with ! :)
She always has stories to tell, great humor, beautiful person !!!!! So if you get the chance to work with her DO IT !!!
Thanks again Gillian for everything !!!!
She has a lot of patience, she taught us a lot of things to do who made this experience with her incredible ! A lot of animals to deal with ! :)
She always has stories to tell, great humor, beautiful person !!!!! So if you get the chance to work with her DO IT !!!
Thanks again Gillian for everything !!!!
19 Jul 2016
Left by host for Workawayer (Emmanuelle)
Emma and Arnaud were fabulous workaways. As they said, they LOVE animals and as it turned out , there was plenty for them to deal with. I had an injured horse, fly eye infections in both dogs and horses, hail storm causing death and injury to critters ( big and small ) and more. They helped with potting plants, weed whacking, chainsawing, mowing.… read more
(Excellent)
17 May 2016
Left by host for Workawayer (Melanie)
When Melanie came in for her week here, we had no way of knowing that she arrived with organisational writing skills that would be essential to a project that popped up in her second week here. And finally into her THIRD week it was all submitted. Our county hopefully gets a boost from her efforts into the proposal on their behalf. As well,… read more
(Excellent)
6 May 2016
Left by Workawayer (Melanie) for host
If you get the chance to spend some time with Gillian...DEFINITELY DO IT! She is an exceptional human being, and she lives in a gem of a community in SE Colorado.
My experience was absolutely fantastic!
The work was varied (animal care, landscaping, painting, running errands in town) and not difficult. Gillian is great at explaining what… read more
My experience was absolutely fantastic!
The work was varied (animal care, landscaping, painting, running errands in town) and not difficult. Gillian is great at explaining what… read more
31 Mar 2016
Left by Workawayer (Rodrigo) for host
Gillian is a amazing person, helped me with the language and taught me very task in your property. I returned from Colorado with a new outlook on life. Thank you for everything Gillian.
I hope see you again in soon.
I hope see you again in soon.
24 Feb 2016
Left by Workawayer (Lisa & Richard) for host
Gillian taught us so much; from construction to animal care to boardgames! If you want to learn new skills and are motivated to work hard then this is definitely the workaway for you. She was a great teacher and tried to prioritise the things that we were most interested in learning, which we really appreciated. We had a great time in Ordway and… read more
11 May 2015
Left by host for Workawayer (Lisa & Richard)
Lisa and Rich came with attitudes to learn and to get new skills. They applied themselves to a range of activities ( with the animals and with equipment ). Really didn't have time enough to exploit all the new things that they could do when they left.
Both made an effort to get through being out their comfort zones with the new activities ( up on… read more
Both made an effort to get through being out their comfort zones with the new activities ( up on… read more
(Very good)
3 Feb 2016
Left by host for Workawayer (Sheadventures)
Shea was really enthusiastic and willing to do anything asked of her. She undertook a big painting job and just plugged away at it until her time was up, along with various other jobs with the animals and helping other tasks through the day. It does take some patience to get the task outlined for Shea in having to write it all down, but this is… read more
(Excellent)
14 Sep 2015
Left by Workawayer (Sheadventures) for host
I just had the opportunity at Gillian's. The time spent there was worth it, I learned several new terms from her, how to use new tools, how to take care of animals in different ways, and more... I miss all of her critters! Gillian has energy, sense of humor, willingness to write down instructions, explanations and such on a paper and pen! :) I… read more
13 Dec 2015
Left by host for Workawayer (Joe)
It is comfortable having Joe here.... his third time around.... he graciously painted all the interior doors and surrounds this visit.. and repaired paintwork in the bathroom. As well he helped with outside chores with the animals and keeping the fire burning through the cold snap.
I would recommend him as a helper with any host.... especially… read more
I would recommend him as a helper with any host.... especially… read more
(Excellent)
29 Nov 2015
Left by Workawayer (Joe) for host
I am back here at Gillian's over five years later and it is still as special as the day I first walked onto the property. A great experience, host, and best of all; friend. Thanks again Gillian!!!
12 May 2015
Left by Workawayer (Camilla & Maisie) for host
We had a great time here and learnt so much! It was lovely being able to meet so many new people from the community and to gain so many new skills from Gillian - we never thought we'd be able to say we can build a shed! It may be a small town but there is lots to do and a great place to be if you love hard work, the outdoors and animals - we… read more
11 May 2015
Left by host for Workawayer (Camilla & Maisie)
Millie and Maisie worked with me for 3 weeks I believe.... both were very keen to learn new building skills and construction techniques. They got plenty of practice with both :)
They also got to put their riding skills to work for a friend by working her horses to help keep them in shape.
Good company; prodigious appetites ; intense board-game… read more
They also got to put their riding skills to work for a friend by working her horses to help keep them in shape.
Good company; prodigious appetites ; intense board-game… read more
(Very good)
21 Mar 2013
Left by Workawayer (ERICA) for host
Gillian's place was my first workaway experience and I am so glad it was!
I had the most amazing time at her place. I learnt how to do so many things that I hadn't done before. ' Proudest moment was building a tin wall for the dog house. I wasnt so proud of screwing my glove to the wall.
Gillian is an incredible lady, she knows so much… read more
I had the most amazing time at her place. I learnt how to do so many things that I hadn't done before. ' Proudest moment was building a tin wall for the dog house. I wasnt so proud of screwing my glove to the wall.
Gillian is an incredible lady, she knows so much… read more
10 Jan 2013
Left by host for Workawayer (zwm202)
Seemed to be on his way... expected him a week ago... not a word.
(Workawayer cancelled last minute / no-show )
4 Sep 2010
Left by Workawayer (Joe) for host
Gillian is a wonderful lady. She is full of life and is very caring. Fun people were always around and I enjoyed the work.
