Canada
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JUNE, 2020 PLEASE NOTE, with the current travel and self-isolation restrictions governing Nova Scotia and Canada at large, it will not be practical to volunteer on our farm unless you are already currently in Nova Scotia.
We have a 130 acre family farm right next to the beautiful Kejimkujik National Park. There is a 4 acre lake and just over 100 acres of woodland, with the rest cultivated or used as pasture.
We don't have a tractor here - when we say horse power, we mean it. Our horses are used for everything, from hauling wood to plowing over land. If you're interested in learning to work with horses, we'd be happy to teach you what we know.
We manage a small market garden aimed mainly at producing enough for ourselves year-round, and some excess to sell. We are working towards raising all our own meat, eggs and dairy on farm, and are gradually expanding our flock of Icelandic sheep to produce wool for local fibre markets. This will involve putting in more fencing and opening up some of our younger forest to make wooded pasture.
Our family currently consists of four German Shepherds, one Great Pyrenees, four cats, numerous chickens, 50 chicks, five horses, two Saanen goats, fifteen Icelandic sheep plus assorted lambs, five pigs and two humans (Riley, the farmer; Liz, chicken and pig expert.
Our dogs are very much a large part of our lives and all live in the house with us. They are all friendly but as there are four of them they may be a little overwhelming to those with dog fears/anxiety.
Gardening
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Farmstay help
Help with Eco Projects
Help around the house
Animal Care
Once a month we make time to take our volunteers on an outing of their choice. This gives you the opportunity to explore Nova Scotia and learn more about whatever interests you. There are events in the park and at the nearby research institute that delve into local history and conservation efforts (all subject to COVID restrictions).
We are constantly working on many different projects so our volunteers have a range of tasks to chose from. Depending on your skills and interest, we need help with: the vegetable beds; the orchard; repairing and maintaining farm buildings and fences; caring for the animals and; cooking and preserving food including cheese-making. We have a board of ongoing tasks in the kitchen, and we sit down to discuss who's doing what every morning over breakfast.
English: Fluent
French: Intermediate
We have a single a camper van parked near the house which can accommodate a couple (either sharing one of the beds or one person can sleep in the bed over the cab) . We also have a small tent or volunteers are welcome to pitch their own tent. Volunteers are welcome to relax in the sunshine on the deck or in the living room in the house. The house is equipped with Wi-Fi, available Netflix account, and a delightful bath tub for soaking after a long day. We have guest accounts on the computers if you want to use them. All meals are provided and eaten with the family. We can offer pick-up as far away as Halifax if you let us know in advance (not during the COVID crisis however).
We ask a minimum stay of a month, preferably from the beginning to the end of a calendar month.
There is a lot to explore around us and we encourage you to do so! The back entrance to Kejimkujik Park is a short mile up the road, and we are surrounded by trails and lakes which we frequently explore both on foot and from horseback. Borrow a bike from us or rent a canoe in the park and explore on your days off. (all subject to COVID restrictions)
We live a fairly relaxed life, focused on our farm and animals, and we are very flexible about time and days off to work around your personality and interests.
We want you to be comfortable here and are open and accommodating to all races, religions, cultures, expressions of gender and sexualities.
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
More than two
4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
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