Volunteer on our organic haskap orchard and pastured livestock farm in beautiful Nova Scotia, Canada

  • Favourited 40 times
  • Last activity: 18 Nov 2023

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least a week

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    UPDATED MARCH 23, 2023!!

    We are a family of 4 (Joe, Stephanie, Luke and Sadie) with a 10-acre certified organic haskap orchard and small pastured livestock (chickens, small herd of dairy and beef cattle and Berkshire pigs) farm in the Cobequid Hills of northern Nova Scotia. Joe and Stephanie both farm full-time. Luke (age 16) is in grade 11 and Sadie (age 13) is in grade 8.

    Our days are always full and always a little different, depending on what needs to be done in the orchard and the needs of our animals. In the summer, we are typically on the go from dusk until dawn as there is always something that needs doing and never enough time to do it all! In the Fall and Winter, life is a little slower and we tend to focus more on building projects and pruning our orchard and other odds and ends, depending on the weather.

    Despite our busy lives, we make it a priority to always eat dinner together and squeeze in fun family time as well, whether it be a hike, swim, card game or visit with friends. We also spend a lot of time making good food – including preserving vegetables and making cheese. We try to grow as much of our own food as possible and often eat meals of ingredients that are sourced 100% from our farm!

    We are seeking workawayers from May to September this year (2023).

    We will do our absolute best to welcome you into our family and help you to have a wonderful experience while here.

  • 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
  • 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

    Working with us you will learn about organic and biological farming practices. We work very hard, and get enormous fulfillment from doing so. Our children absolutely love visitors.

    Tatamagouche is a very active community, with many residents who have moved here from other countries, as well as part-time summer residents and visiting tourists. There are many community events, particularly in summer, that celebrate our culture, our food and our people. Earltown, where we live, has a lovely little general store, maple syrup farm and restaurant, as well as a large network of public trails and swimming holes.

  • Projects involving children

    Projects involving children

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

  • Help

    Help

    We need general help with everything on the farm! We are always building something and we always have animals to care for. If weather permits, we also have lots of work to do in our orchard - pruning, spreading manure, harvesting berries, etc.

  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent
    French: Beginner
    Italian: Beginner

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    We have 2 types of accomodation.

    We have a tiny cabin (10' by 16') in a very quiet and private portion of our farm. The cabin is off-grid - without electricity, internet or cell reception (you may use the telephone and WiFi at our home, down the road). There is a simple two-burner outdoor stove, outdoor shower, nearby brook and outhouse to help make your stay more comfortable. You are invited to join us for meals at our home as often as you wish (which can be 3 meals a day if you like!).

    There is a wood stove for heat - you must be comfortable operating a wood stove. And you must be comfortable living with few amenities.

    You are welcome to use our facilities – bathroom, laundry, etc. – though we ask that you be mindful of our resources and not waste water (ie. by showering and/or doing laundry more than necessary).

    We also have a very comfortable large canvas tent with 2 single cots and warm bedding for the shoulder months (sorry - no photos as it is not set up yet!). There will be room inside to stand up and spread out so despite it being a tent, you will be very comfortable! The tent is very near our house - where you can also hang out for meals, internet, etc. (Note we have no cellular/mobile service at our farm).

    We always eat dinner together and breakfast and lunch is more help yourself. Breakfast is typically eggs or homemade granola or oatmeal and sometimes pancakes or waffles. Lunch is typically humus, vegetables, cheese and other finger foods. Dinner could be anything – but as much as possible we try to eat what we grow on the farm (pork, chicken, vegetables, fruit, eggs). We have all you can eat seasonal vegetables, eggs and raw milk. We can easily accommodate vegetarians – but no vegans please.

    Guests are expected to pitch in with kitchen tasks, including meal preparation and cleanup. Please don't apply if you are not willing/able to help out in the kitchen or if you have never cooked your own meals before.

    Absolutely no smoking or drug use will be tolerated.

    We have about 100 acres or more of woodlot, with trails and a river to explore. It's a beautiful spot!

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    Our property is over 180 acres and includes woodlot and pasture. The scenery is beautiful and you can spend hours just exploring our property on foot.

    We are located 1.5 hours from Halifax, ½ hour from Truro and 15 min from Tatamagouche. There are lots of outdoor activities to do around us – hiking, bike riding, swimming and general exploring. Tatamagouche has a wonderful library, micro brewery and many other attractions.

    There is no public transportation, however, hitch hiking is fairly common and there is also a semi-organized rideshare group on facebook.

    You are welcome to spend time in our house during your time off, providing you are respectful of our family, other guests and our belongings. We also ask that you provide a good example for our children - this is very important to us - otherwise you will be asked to leave. This means no cursing, not spending all of your time off on your phone, cleaning up after yourself, etc.

    2023 will be our first year hosting Workaway travellers. We really look forward to meeting you!

  • 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

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    We have lots of options of where you can park.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    Two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Minimum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Host ref number: 342287367145

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