Canada
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We are Monika and Fred - in our 60ies - and are running a small organic farm in the wilderness of the West Chilcotin mountains. The farm is very isolated in a small valley and borders the large Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, about one and a half hours away from the next village.
We have devellopped 2 acres for vegetable production and have built a greenhouse into the mountain side for vegetables requiring more heat. A dog, a cat, a small flock of chickens and two milk cows with their offspring are enjoying life with us. One log cabin and a sauna is finished, a second cabin is almost completed. We also built a log barn, a cabin with a pool table and dart board, also a clay oven for baking bread the traditional way. Last additions are an equipment shed and a black-smith shop with a forge, anvil, bellow and basic blacksmithing tools.
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. The opportunities for work experiences and wilderness adventure are endless.
Our main projects for 2021 :
- building a root cellar into the mountain side, including masonry work and a log entrance way
- clearing and maintaining trails in the surrounding mountains
- completing a small scale dairy and meat processing facility for our own use
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
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 lerned 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.
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
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. Since we grow all the vegetables we need for ourselves (incl. lots of strawberries), most of the farm work will involve manual weeding, planting, transplanting and harvesting of crops as well as caring for our animals.
Two more homesteads are in this small valley, about 3km to the east. One of them is a small ranch with a cow/calf operation. Since we often help each other out, there will be also the possibility of experiencing ranch work, like driving cattle to the summer range, haying, repair and maintenance of ranch equipment, building range fences etc.
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
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. Our internet connection is working via satellite.
There is also a cabin available to accommodate guests/volunteers on a more basic level.
There is lots of opportunity for hiking and wildlife viewing. 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 about two months ago and are not overly concerned.
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
We have a reliable satelite internet connection
This host can provide space for campervans.
This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.
More than two
5 hours a day, 5 days a week
