Help at our horse-powered family farm next to the beautiful Kejimkujik National Park, Canada

Canada

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31
Last activity
20/08/2020
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2020

Min stay requested: at least 1 month

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Description
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.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Farmstay help
Help with Eco Projects
Help around the house
Animal Care
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
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).
Help
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.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Intermediate
Accommodation
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.
What else ...
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.
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
- Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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Feedback left by and about host (31)

These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.

Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)

Cultural exchange:
(4.5)

Communication:
(5.0)

25/08/2019

Left by Workawayer (Sebastian) for host

I stayed at the farm for about a month and had nothing but joyful experiences there. The loving care and hospitality that I was showed was both surprising and wonderful. Riley and Liz are amazing cooks and a joy to talk to. The dogs were incredibly nice and (once they got used to me) were just as eager to be around me as I was to be around them.… read more

(Excellent )

01/05/2019

Left by Workawayer (Toby & Emma) for host

We originally were going to stay for just one month, October, and ended up loving it so much that we ended up staying during November as well in 2018 (not 17). We both came from an animal background and so were very comfortable handling the horses, goats, chickens, sheep and of course the multiple doggies. The daily tasks were never (to us) too… read more

(Excellent )

05/02/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Toby & Emma)

Toby and Emma came to stay with us for two months, October and November, in 2017. They were very willing to turn their hands to any task, large or small. Despite the fact that it was very wet and muddy here last autumn, they were always very cheerful, hard workers. We found their animal experience invaluable and extensive. They handled all of our… read more

(Excellent )

04/09/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Sarah)

Sarah was an absolute joy to have on the farm, both to work and to live with. She threw herself into everything we asked her to do, and even put in extra time (especially with the cucumbers!) Sarah was an enormous help with our sheps (sheep), especially given we had medications to give them. She was invaluable in finishing the fencing projects we… read more

(Excellent )

02/09/2018

Left by Workawayer (Sarah) for host

Where do I start?! I loved my time with Liz and Riley on the farm. They made me feel right at home during my stay and I was certainly sad to go. I learnt so much on the farm and got to help with so many different things from catching sheep to scything the fields, milking goats to harvesting copious amounts of cucumbers. It is a remote farm so it’s… read more

(Excellent )

13/08/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Marten John)

Marten was a wonderful volunteer on our farm. His stay here was partially during hay-making season, which is always a very, very busy time, and Marten worked very hard, but also with great enthusiasm and good cheer, helping to bring in the hay. Marten was a pleasure to have in our home and our lives here on the farm, and would be welcome back any… read more

(Excellent )

08/08/2018

Left by Workawayer (Marten John) for host

It was my first time working on a farm, Liz and Riley made it to a really great time, I learned so many different things, from milking goats to working with a scyth and a lot about organic farming and cheese making. The food is really delicious and fresh and you can always chose which kind of work you want to do. The animals are wonderful and… read more

(Excellent )

01/06/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Lucie)

Lucie is an absolutely fantastic volunteer, and would be a great asset to any Workaway situation. She was willing and able to put in extra hours when necessary, as farm work sometimes cannot be fit into a rigid schedule, and was then happy to have extra time off at another point. Lucie did a lot of extra projects that have been on our blackboard… read more

(Excellent )

01/06/2018

Left by Workawayer (Lucie) for host

I spent three wonderful weeks at the Farm. Liz and Riley were very kind, taking me in on short notice and even though it was a time of the year when they don't usually have the need for more than one volunteer. My tasks varied from cleaning and painting to helping out in the polytunnel and with the animals. Especially milking the two lovely goats… read more

(Excellent )

18/11/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Peter & Sarah)

Peter and Sarah are amazing humans, both together and individually, and we loved having them to stay and work on the farm - they really felt like part of the family! Their animal experience was invaluable and we learned a lot from them. They took to all work, both familiar and new, with an impressive can-do attitude. They consistently went above… read more

(Excellent )

11/11/2017

Left by Workawayer (Peter & Sarah) for host

We loved our stay with Liz, Riley and all the numerous floofies. It was a fantastic family feel and the quickest we settled into a workstay throughout our whole trip. Riley is a very patient teacher and we learnt all sorts of new things like helping to put the horses in harness, how to milk the goats, how to use a scythe and all about vegetable… read more

(Excellent )

18/11/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Frédérique)

Fred came and stayed with us for a month in the early spring of 2017. They were a pleasure to have on the farm, fitting in easily and quickly to life here and working hard. It is always lovely to have someone stay who, like Fred is so eager to experience the things we do here and try out new tasks like felling trees and caring for the horses. They… read more

(Excellent )

07/10/2017

Left by Workawayer (Frédérique) for host

its been a while since my stay at this farm but its was wonderful. It's crazy how much this familly it's amazing. They make sure everything its alrigth and that you have everything you need. The food its also so great. The dog are so friendly. I did really endjoy the fact that its a queer safe space. I really endjoy the work that they give me like… read more

(Excellent )

27/10/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Maggie)

Maggie stayed with us for a week, after committing to a month. She left abruptly in the middle of the night.

We bear her no ill will, but feel we have a responsibility to other hosts Maggie contacts that they are at least informed of this incident.

(Negative )

05/08/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Katharina & Ryan)

Ryan and Kate were absolutely fantastic workers. They undertook everything with great gusto, and did all their work to an extremely high standard - they were a hard act for others to follow! They also willingly pitched in when there were extra hours asked of them to bring in the hay. They got along very, very well with all the other volunteers on… read more

(Excellent )

29/07/2017

Left by Workawayer (Katharina & Ryan) for host

Ryan and I stayed at the farm for a month. We spontaneously wrote them and they accepted us immediately. We couldn't have asked for a better first experience on workaway. As other feedbacks said the work varies from planting vegetables, making hay, milking goats as well as playing and cuddling with the dogs :) Other duties may include cooking for… read more

(Excellent )

05/08/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Vanessa)

Vanessa stayed with us during our very busy spring season. Despite a lot of rain and a lot of bugs, Vanessa was always cheerful and helpful with everything to do with the farm. We thoroughly enjoyed having Vanessa stay with us, and she was a great help. Thanks, Vanessa!

(Excellent )

08/05/2017

Left by Workawayer (Vanessa) for host

I stayed more then five weeks with Liz, Riley, Chloe and Nic. The time past by really fast.
The great thing at this Farm is to do a variation of different kind of work. From animal care, over vegetable planting to building up things (like a fence).
In return you get great food every day and you have the possibility to explore the surroundings by… read more

(Excellent )

05/08/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Manon)

Manon was a wonderful helper on our farm. She willingly helped out on everything, from cooking and cleaning to farm chores, and everything in between! Thank you, Manon, for helping us out this year!

(Excellent )

03/08/2017

Left by Workawayer (Manon) for host

I stayed one month at the farm with Riley and Liz and it was a really good time. There was also 4 others volunteers.
The work is various, there was a lot of things to do in the vegetable garden, but you can also learn hiw to milk goats and how to harness horses for field works.
We had two days off per week and the afternoons, and a lot of things… read more

(Excellent )

04/01/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Irene)

Irene was our last volunteer of the 2016 season, and we couldn't have had a better person to round off the year. Irene was a pleasure to have around the farm and threw herself into the wide variety of autumn tasks that needed doing, many of which she had never done before but undertook willingly and learned fast. We wish Irene all the best for… read more

(Excellent )

28/09/2016

Left by Workawayer (Irene) for host

My three weeks at this farm were amazing! I learnd about growing and harvesting different vegetables, how to take care of pigs, goats, chickens and horses, and how to build all kinds of fences. I also got to know some really great recepies - thank you guys for teaching me so much!!! I really enjoyed working and cooking with you, and the long walks… read more

(Excellent )

04/01/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Trevor)

Trevor was a fabulous hard worker who was willing to take on any task thrown at him, including grappling with a rototiller, taking millions of rocks out of our newly ploughed soil, digging out 30-year-old manure, building chicken tractors and much, much, much more. He got on really well with all our other volunteers and was always a source of… read more

(Excellent )

18/07/2016

Left by Workawayer (Trevor) for host

I came to the farm for my first workaway experience. I worked on the farm for 1.5 months and had an absolutely incredible time. The work was flexible, varied, and interesting as there is a ton to do on the farm. Work can occasionally be tough, but it is still relaxed. After working, you get the afternoon off to relax at the house, play with the… read more

(Excellent )

04/01/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Joshua & Nastia)

Josh was an absolutely fantastic volunteer. He is so hard-working we couldn't keep up with him, he literally ran everywhere. Despite the fact that we strictly adhere to the policy of only five hours work a day, Josh kept finding other things he wanted to do - like painting the chicken tractor (which looks fantastic, thanks, Josh). He has a… read more

(Excellent )

18/07/2016

Left by Workawayer (Joshua & Nastia) for host

It's been a while since my stay with Riley and Liz, but just going through my memories and pictures I can say: It was a wonderful time! I spend four weeks at their place from May 15 to June 14 and had an incredible time working with Rileys chore horses, playing with one of the five German Shepards (or all of them at once occassionally) and really… read more

(Excellent )

05/06/2016

Left by Workawayer (Greta Dorothee) for host

I stayed at this farm for more than one month.
It is a really nice environment, you can spent a lot of time outside, deep in Nova Scotia.
It is a old lovely farm, with horses, goats, chickens and high-spirited dogs, they woke me up every early morning around 5 o'clock. One of them, jumped on my bed. should be seen as a wake-up call.
The family… read more

(Good )

30/11/2015

Left by Workawayer (Nils) for host

It was such a wonderful experience I had during my two months I stayed at the Farm. They are kind, friendly and the meals are always good and enough :D. The work there is not to exhausting and very various. Especially the system that you can choose from a list what you want to do for the day I liked really much. As a volunteer it's really cool… read more

(Excellent )

04/11/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Nils)

Nils was a fantastic worker. He was always cheerful and a pleasure to have around the house, and willing to help in every way he could. He undertook everything, even hard and repetitive labour with alacrity. Nils is a very intelligent young man and was equally capable of undertaking complex projects independently. We wish him every success in the… read more

(Excellent )

04/11/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Chloe)

If Carlsberg did volunteers....

Seriously, we could not have imagined a better first volunteer for our farm. Upbeat and hard-working, they take to every and any task with great enthusiasm. Nothing was beyond them: from building chicken shelters and fencing, to working with the horses and harvesting. We never want them to leave.

Also, they're… read more

(Excellent )

30/07/2015

Left by Workawayer (Chloe) for host

Never have I been shown such hospitality and acceptance as a volunteer than I did at the farm! Despite having never worked in a farm, they spent time explaining and teaching me everything they could about livestock and farming. I definitely arrived with inexperienced, but open mind, and left fulfilled, I even stayed a month longer than I intended!… read more

(Excellent )

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