Canada
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My name is Sarah and I live on a beautiful farm on the marge of Lake Laberge, about 50km north of Whitehorse. The property owners raise dairy goats and laying hens, while I grow a small scale certified organic market garden. We share the property with a farm dog and two cats. My ⅓ acre garden is intensively grown and primarily worked with hand tools. The growing season here is relatively short and intense, so I use row covers and multiple succession plantings to extend the harvest.
The property owners and I have separate homes, but collaborate on many projects around the farm and are always ready to help each other out. Our farm is off-grid: our water comes from the lake, we use solar power, wood heat and are always mindful of our use of these resources. We live simply, work hard and eat well. We also appreciate nature and our peaceful and awe-inspiring surroundings. We welcome volunteers who have a positive attitude and share our passion for farming, learning, working together and having fun.
Gardening
Building
General Maintenance
Cooking / shopping
Farmstay
Animal care
Come learn about small scale certified organic market gardening, raising livestock and building maintenance/repairs/construction. Volunteers can also learn about off-grid living and low-tech adaptations, such as our unique walk-in cooler for vegetables (it chills with ice we stored in winter).
Help around the farm is needed in the garden, as well as with animal chores, maintenance/repair and building projects. Garden work could include greenhouse maintenance, transplanting, weeding, harvesting and washing/packing. Animal chores are generally done in the morning and evening. Many buildings around the farm are showing their age and are in need of some love, including painting, insulating and roofing. New building projects may include a garden shed and chicken coop. Many fences also need to be reinforced with new fence posts. Like most farms, the “to do” list is endless.
Experience with gardening and/or construction/repairs would be an asset, but an eagerness to learn and contribute are equally important. Volunteers should be healthy, fit and prepared to work outdoors in all weather conditions and with mosquitoes. Volunteers should also be able to communicate openly and have a positive attitude.
English and French (fluently). Spanish (basic).
Volunteers will be provided with a bedroom in a shared cabin, plus wholesome food. The cabin is rustic yet comfortable, and has a large kitchen where we’ll take turns preparing and cleaning up from team lunches and dinners. Breakfasts will be prepared solo. There will be lots of seasonal vegetables, eggs and goat milk from the farm, plus wild and locally farmed meat (though meat-free meals are enjoyed here, too). An outhouse will serve as the bathroom. Showers and laundry will be done in town, though the lake is always available for a very refreshing swim. Wifi is available, but there is no cell service at the farm.
The Yukon is a stunning place and there are endless hiking, canoeing, camping, etc opportunities, even from our doorstep. I’ll go to town once or twice a week (Saturdays in May to mid-June, Mondays and Thursdays the rest of the summer). A personal vehicle will be an asset if you want to go to town or further afield at other times, though hitchhiking is also an option.
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
One
Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week
