Large family owned cattle ranch in BC Cariboo Chilcotin, Canada

Details

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  Description

  We are a large family owned and operated cattle ranch in the beautiful Chilcotin region of BC where we raise cattle and horses, as well as a small flock of sheep. We run 1200 mother cows, 150-200 replacement heifers, 90 bulls, a herd of 40 horses, and we currently have 6000+ acres in forage production.
  
  We do all of our cattle work on horseback the old fashioned way. We are a progressive younger couple that own the ranch (40 & 48), with two young children. We are not an organic operation but we do not use pesticides or implant our animals with hormones. However, we do have a full herd health program that includes vaccinating our animals from disease and we use antibiotics when necessary. We do all of our own farming and forage production and own good quality John Deere equipment.
  
  Our ranch is located close to the mountains with a river flowing through the whole property and many lakes nearby. The wildlife in this part of BC is incredible with common sightings of bears, moose, deer, wolves and coyotes.
  
  There is always an assortment of work to be done at the ranch from cattle work, gardening, fencing, cowboying, feeding cattle and horses, and in the summer a lot of haying, tractor driving, and many other jobs; you would be working with us doing whatever we are doing at the time of year that you are visiting. If you are looking for a farmstay and are interested in beef cattle, farming/forage, horses and the western way of life, please contact us for more details. You must have a good sense of humor, be open mined, have a good work ethic, be able to work alone or as part of a team, and be able to take direction easily. Although it is not necessary to have previous farming or ranching experience, it is definitely an asset. We support and partake in the lifestyle and industry in which we live so if you are against rodeo, cattle ranching, or any other aspects of this way of life, we aren't the hosts for you.
  
  While helpers have the opportunity to ride horses, we do not usually have any helper positions that are strictly riding, so you will not be riding every day. If you are only interested in horse work, and want to ride every day, this is not the place for you.
  
  We are a 2 1/2 hour drive west of Williams Lake which is our nearest larger centre, in a rural community. There are small country towns close by (15 mins drive away) with a community hall, post office, motel, restaurant, nursing station, and general store/gas station. We have all of the modern amenities such as phone, wifi, fax, power etc, however we do not have digital cell phone service. We pick up all of our helpers who do not have a vehicle in Williams Lake. Most helpers arrive via Pacific Coastal Air from Vancouver. As of fall 2018 there is no longer a Greyhound bus servicing BC so plan for a flight into Williams Lake.
  
  If you enjoy the outdoors there are a lot of things to do after work and the area offers many amazing opportunities such as: rodeos near by, world class fresh water fishing, camping, beautiful lakes to swim in, hiking, waterfalls and our surrounding communities put on community events such as dances, rodeos, etc. However, we shouldn't forget that Williams Lake boasts some of the most awesome mountain biking trails in the province.
  
  We usually have our fun when we are not working at home on the ranch; we have a younger crew so there are always good times to be had. There are quite a few farmstays and Woofer's in the area as well, and with the close knit community, there are always people coming and going which provides for great socializing and new friendships.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Babysitting and creative play

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  You will learn all aspects of a large Canadian cattle operation, as well as experience the western way of life.

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  Projects involving children

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

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  Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage

  This host offers accommodation and payment.

  Host has indicated that they will pay at least the minimum hourly wage of their country for each hour worked and that accommodation will also be provided. They are asking for help with a business or business activity. Contact the host directly via the site messenger for more information and details about the wage provided. Any arrangements should be agreed in advance with your host.

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  Help

  Normally our helpers do whatever we are doing at the time on the ranch so that they can get a full experience. We might be moving cattle, fencing, gardening, halter training foals, calving, farming, driving tractors, haying, gardening, and we also need help in the house with cleaning and cooking at times but usually everyone just pitches in with that.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent

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  Accommodation

  We supply all meals and a room, available in the ranch houses. Also, most times we have a small car for our helpers to use to explore the local area and surroundings in their downtime and we provide gas for the car within reason.

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  What else ...

  We live in a beautiful area surrounded by nature. There are many opportunities to explore our area of mountains, lakes, rivers etc. There are rodeos in the summer and social gatherings in our small communities through out the year.
  
  Williams Lake is the closest larger town where we pick our helpers up from. You can take a flight into Williams Lake from Vancouver on Pacific Coastal Air or Central Mountain Air. The flight from Vancouver to Williams Lake is 1 hour.

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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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  Space for parking camper vans

  No space restrictions

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 5 hrs/day unless agreed upon (max 25 hours a week)

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