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Host rating
85 %
Last replied
12 Dec 2025
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Details
Description
We are located approximately half way between Vancouver and Calgary in the Interior of British Columbia and call the beautiful Tappen/Shuswap Lake area our home.
My husband, Cliff, and I (Sabine) have retired from business life and are finding that we are busier than ever. Which is why we are looking for someone who is willing to stay with us for a minimum of one month during the time period of March/April to October to help us with taking care of 7 hectares of gardens and mini farm.
We enjoy growing our own food and spend much time working with our two horses and improving the property. I hold a Masters Degree in Agriculture and Animal Nutrition and would be happy to share my knowledge of vitamins, minerals, and herbs. Cliff is an avid hunter and outdoors-man.
Your accommodation is a bright, private basement suite in our guest house next door (see photos). It is fully furnished and includes all kitchen ware, linen. towels, etc. and has a washer and dryer. It has a beautiful view of the garden and lake and there is direct access to the beach. The lake is great for swimming and there are hiking trails in walking distance.
Salmon Arm is the nearest town about 25 kilometers away. We drive into town several times per week and are able to take you along.
We believe this opportunity is well suited for someone who enjoys being outdoors and would like to experience the more rural aspects of Canadian living.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
Animal Care
Farmstay help
General Maintenance
House and pet sitting
Interests
Sustainability
Pets
Farming
Plant care
Books
Gardening
Animals
Nature
Hiking
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
In general our visitor will be exposed to rural Canadian living. Specifically I would be happy to share my knowledge of animal nutrition (I have a Master's degree in Agriculture) and the use and benefits of wild herbs. I am fluent in both English and German which means that a German visitor with limited English speaking abilities would be able to learn more English at a easier pace.
Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage
This host offers accommodation and payment.
Help
The majority and focus of the work entails weeding (we do not use herbicides) and watering both of which need to be done regularly. There is also general garden work, such as pruning, sweeping, cleaning flower beds, and harvesting of berries and herbs. We are offering minimum wage which requires you holding a work visa for Canada.
Weeding is one of the major tasks around here. We have been hand-weeding for many years and the weeds are well under control, we just have to stay on top of them. I will teach you their identification and assist as much as possible.
While the weeds can sometimes wait for a few days even up to a week, the watering cannot during hot and dry summer days. Please, be aware that this could sometimes interfere with your plans to be away for more than two days. However, we can always discuss and accommodate any plans you might have for short trips away.
We have found that in general weeding and watering will take between 3 and 5 hours per day. In addition there is the other general garden and outside work which can be scheduled throughout the week.
The type of person we are looking for:
- is honest and dependable;
- enjoys the peace and quiet of nature;
- can supply character references;
- is in relatively good physical shape (we live in hilly country).
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Accommodation
You would live in your own bright basement suite in the house next door to us. It is fully furnished and contains a combined kitchen and living area, bathroom, bedroom, den, storage room with washer and dryer. It is expected of you to keep the suite clean and do your own cooking and laundry.
There is cell phone service in this area and good internet access (WiFi).
The house is directly at the lake and has a beautiful view. A private beach and great swimming in clean water are only a few steps away.
The upstairs of the house will be occupied intermittently during the summer months by family and friends. The two units (i.e. upstairs vs. downstairs suites) have private entrances and are mutually locked out.
What else ...
A bit of information about our area and what to do in free time:
- Spring and fall are pleasant while the summers can be dry and hot (up to 36 d.C. is not uncommon);
- The next major town is Salmon Arm about 30 minutes away (approx. 25,000 inhabitants);
- There are many mountain biking and hiking trails around Salmon Arm as well as in the Rocky Mountains
which are about 1.5 hours East of here via the Trans Canada Highway;
- The swimming conditions are great!
- We have a canoe that you are welcome to use;
- We can discuss horseback riding;
- There is no public transit to Salmon Arm but we can discuss lending of a car for extra hours worked;
- Salmon Am itself has good e-bus connections;
- This area is rural and quiet but there is shopping and entertainment in Salmon Arm as well
as in Vernon (1hour), Kelowna (2 h), Kamloops (1.5 h);
- Salmon Arm hosts the annual Roots and Blues Festival in August and has an amateur theater;
- The nearest airports are in Kelowna and Kamloops; if you arrive at one of these we'd pick you up.
Kelowna has the better international connections.
.... and about your hosts:
- we are a married and "somewhat older" (60's and 70's);
- we enjoy the outdoors and our two horses;
- we are "workaholics" trying to constantly improve our property.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
T & S
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (1)
They are incredibly kind and helpful hosts who make you feel welcome and supported in everything you do. The place is beautiful — surrounded by nature, horses, wildlife and peaceful views — and the apartment was spacious and super… read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
They are incredibly kind and helpful hosts who make you feel welcome and supported in everything you do. The place is beautiful — surrounded by nature, horses, wildlife and peaceful views — and the apartment was spacious and super… read more
