Join our Canadian/Australian family farm near Tillsonburg, Canada

Details

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  Description

  Welcome to our family farm in beautiful Oxford County, Ontario!
  
  We are a third-generation farming family living and working together on our 100-acre rural farm, located just outside Tillsonburg. Our farm is a former Tobacco farm and is now home to large-scale cash crops including corn, soybeans or rye (depending on the year) as well as a diverse personal "cornucopia" garden filled with a wide variety of vegetables, berries, herbs, and seasonal produce. We are looking for help specifically with our personal garden and around the house.
  
  Two generations of our family are actively involved in the farm, and we enjoy sharing our rural lifestyle, knowledge, and home with visitors from around the world. We are also dual Australian-Canadian citizens and have travelled extensively throughout the world ourselves. Having spent many years exploring different countries and cultures, we appreciate the value of meaningful cultural exchange and enjoy welcoming travellers to our home. We love hearing people's stories, sharing experiences, and creating connections that often last well beyond a Workaway stay.
  
  Whether you're interested in learning about modern agriculture, growing food, gardening, sustainability, or simply experiencing life in the Canadian countryside, there is always something happening here.
  
  Our property offers plenty of opportunities to get your hands dirty in the garden, help with seasonal projects, learn about crop production, care for plants, and enjoy the rewards of harvesting fresh food straight from the field. Depending on the time of year, volunteers may help with gardening, home maintenance, preparing homemade meals from scratch, preserving produce, or other varied outdoor activities.
  
  We are located only a 15-minute bike ride from the town of Tillsonburg, where you'll find shops, cafés, restaurants, recreation facilities, and community events. The surrounding area offers beautiful cycling routes, nature trails, and a chance to experience authentic rural Ontario.
  
  We value cultural exchange, good conversation, sports like tennis and baseball, shared meals, and creating a welcoming environment where Workawayers feel like part of the family. If you're enthusiastic, curious, and enjoy being outdoors, we'd be delighted to welcome you to our farm and share this unique experience with you.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Elderly Companionship

  Teaching

  Light gardening

  Creative DIY projects

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  Light maintenance
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  Interests

  

  Technology

  

  Events & social

  

  Culture

  

  Van life

  

  Self development

  

  Farming

  

  Languages

  

  Music

  

  Plant care

  

  History

  

  Art & design

  

  Architecture

  

  Carpentry

  

  Books

  

  Gardening

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Outdoor activities

  

  Fitness

  

  Nature

  

  Team sports

  

  Sailing / Boating

  

  Hiking

  

  Beach
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Cultural exchange is at the heart of why we host Workawayers.
  
  As dual Australian-Canadian citizens who have travelled extensively around the world, we have been fortunate to experience many cultures, meet incredible people, and enjoy the hospitality of others. Hosting travellers on our farm is our way of continuing those connections and sharing our own way of life.
  
  Workawayers will experience everyday life on a multi-generational Canadian family farm and gain insight into both rural Canadian culture and our Australian background. We enjoy sharing stories from our travels, learning about different countries and perspectives, and hearing about the places our guests call home.
  
  You'll have opportunities to learn about farming, gardening, food production, and life in a rural agricultural community. Depending on the season, you may also experience local farmers' markets, community events, country fairs, and the rhythm of life that comes with the changing seasons on a working farm.
  
  Meals are often a highlight of the exchange, with fresh vegetables, berries, and produce harvested directly from our gardens. We enjoy sharing food, recipes, and conversations around the table, and we always welcome Workawayers who would like to introduce us to dishes and traditions from their own culture.
  
  Our goal is for Workawayers to leave not only with new skills and experiences, but also with a deeper understanding of Canadian farm life, lasting friendships, and memories of a genuine cultural exchange.

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  Help

  We welcome enthusiastic, positive people who enjoy being outdoors and are interested in experiencing life on a Canadian family farm.
  
  The type of activities we share varies throughout the season and may include:
  
  • Caring for our family vegetable and berry gardens through planting, weeding, and harvesting for home use and personal enjoyment
  • Helping with landscaping, nature projects, and maintaining shared outdoor spaces
  • Assisting with painting, organizing, and general household and property upkeep
  • Preserving, freezing, and preparing fresh produce from the garden
  • Participating in seasonal activities and learning about rural life throughout the year
  • Spending quality time with elderly parents to cook with or hear some of their many stories
  
  No previous gardening experience is required. We are happy to teach and share what we know about gardening, food preservation, sustainable living, and life in the countryside. We simply ask that Workawayers come with a willingness to learn, contribute, and take part in daily family life.
  
  In return, you'll gain hands-on experience growing food, enjoy fresh seasonal produce, and experience everyday life on a Canadian family farm. We believe the best Workaway experiences are built on mutual respect, cultural exchange, and sharing skills and experiences together.
  
  We particularly enjoy hosting independent, self-motivated people who are comfortable outdoors and who appreciate nature and rural living. Whether it's sharing meals, exchanging stories and traditions, exploring the local area, or working together on enjoyable projects around the home and gardens, we hope that everyone leaves with new friendships, skills, and memories.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Beginner
  French: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
  You can contact them directly for more information.
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  Accommodation

  Workawayers stay in a private, self-contained cabin located on our farm. Originally built as a pool house, it has been converted into a simple and comfortable space that offers plenty of privacy and independence.
  
  The cabin consists of a single room and includes its own bathroom with a shower, sink, and toilet. It is separate from the main family home, allowing guests to enjoy their own space while still being part of daily farm life.
  
  The cabin has two screened windows that provide natural ventilation and fresh country air. Please note that there is no air conditioning. Summer temperatures in our area are generally comfortable, particularly in the evenings, but guests should be prepared for occasional warm days during the peak of summer. A fan is provided.
  
  One of the highlights of staying here is the peaceful rural setting. You'll wake up to views of the countryside, enjoy quiet evenings away from city noise, and have the opportunity to experience life on a working farm while still having your own private retreat at the end of the day.
  
  Food is an important part of life on our farm. We provide meals and enjoy sharing food together as a family whenever possible. During the growing season, much of our produce comes directly from our gardens, including a wide variety of fresh vegetables, berries, herbs, and seasonal fruits. Workawayers are welcome to enjoy the abundance of fresh produce available on the farm.
  
  We are happy to accommodate most reasonable dietary preferences if discussed in advance, and we also enjoy learning about foods and recipes from other cultures. If you have a favourite dish from home, we'd love for you to share it with us.
  
  We provide bedding and basic necessities, and we strive to create a welcoming, comfortable environment where Workawayers can feel at home while experiencing life on a Canadian family farm.

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  What else ...

  A few additional things that may be helpful to know before applying:
  
  Our farm is located in a rural setting, so enjoying country life and being comfortable with a quieter environment will help you get the most from your stay. While we are only a 15-minute bike ride from Tillsonburg, having a driver's licence can be an advantage if you wish to explore the surrounding area during your free time.
  
  We host Workawayers because we genuinely enjoy meeting people from different countries and cultures. As avid travellers ourselves, we value cultural exchange, good conversation, and the friendships that often develop during a stay. We hope our guests will feel comfortable becoming part of our daily life while also enjoying the privacy of their own accommodation.
  
  Our farm is home to a wide variety of crops, gardens, wildlife, and open spaces, making it a great place for people who enjoy nature, photography, cycling, gardening, and outdoor living.
  
  When contacting us, please tell us a little about yourself, your interests, any relevant skills, and what attracts you to our farm. We enjoy hosting people who are curious, hardworking, respectful, and eager to experience life in rural Canada.
  
  We look forward to meeting fellow travellers and sharing our corner of Ontario with you!

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  My animals / pets

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