Profile information
Host rating
65 %
Last replied
9 Apr 2024
Feedback
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Email verified
Host offers payment
Details
Description
I grew up in this neighborhood and always enjoyed being outside and appreciate all our wonderful Michigan seasons. Following high school I went off to school and studied forestry and graduated with a degree in forest technology. I came back and worked with my father in a forestry business he started back in the 1970’s. As I spent more time working close to the land and meeting a variety of different groups of landowners it became quite evident that if you want your family to be able to live such a gorgeous non populated area for generations you must live closer to the land and be sustainable. At that time, I was practicing sustainable forestry, gardening and raising chickens. Then all of a sudden in a blink I had three girls and a chance to buy a lake house and live the American dream. Lake house in the summer small house edge of the country during the winter. Free time consisting of vacations, trips and adventures near and far. But that would be to easy and bring no fulfillment or joy to my life so.
I had the chance to buy this homestead, so I did, actually I got to buy ½ of it again, long story. We bought the homestead in June of 2017 and build the barns and fence for the cattle in 2018. The cattle came in the fall and that is when I started this adventure of improving the land and soils. The following year my wife got the seven year itch and left. Rather than go on some crazy foolistic crusade I choose to build a retirement home that we here call the little house on the edge of the big woods. Since the great purge we have created a homestead environment that teaches my girls teamwork, problem solving, communication skills and work ethic. These traits are somewhat rare in this society but I would like to believe that we have planted the seed in these girls minds of the importance to live closer to the land. I can see the roots forming and I know there will be disappointment in the future at times, but I have faith that they will have good roots that will guide them to right direction to living a fulfilling sustainable life.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Our goal at our homestead is to return to agriculture as it was in the early 1900s and later. When I started this endeavor my number one goal was to improve the soil health. Without healthy soils we cannot have healthy foods or animals. My secondary goal was to create a homestead system that was set up to reduce daily workloads by utilizing modern technology that would sustain my own family. Thirdly we developed an ecotourism experience that is intended to inspire others to create their own homestead while offering a hands-on view of what we do day to day on the homestead to live more sustainably. Lastly, we offer a farm to table experience that showcases our farm raised meat and produce.
We sincerely believe that purchasing nutrient dense foods from local grocery stores is near impossible. Modern agriculture and western medicine are a business, and we are the customers that are being sold something that we don’t want. We live and die on the idea of knowing your grower and what they are using. We like to implement a chain of custody on all the products we buy that we can’t produce.
Without your health you have nothing so starting today what can you do to start eating and drinking nutrient dense foods to feed your mind body and soul.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.
Help
Our homestead is seeking a homestead helper to aid in prepping and planting our 2024 vegetable garden, cleaning up the home yard and barn yard Spring (Cleaning) and building fence around 10 acres to increase our pasture. Additionally, we will be cutting splitting and stacking firewood for the 2024-2025 heating season. We will expect around 20 hours per week that will be paid at $ 10.33 per hour.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
You will be staying at our on-farm in a chalet style cabin built in 2022 with all the amenities. Additionally, Breakfast and dinner will be provided at the main house or for take-out. The accommodations are at no cost to the helpers.
What else ...
Are homestead is situated on the edge of the Huron Manistee National Forest you will be withing 20 minutes of the Ausable River for fishing and canoe-kayaking. Tawas is 4.5 miles away where you can enjoy the shores of lake Huron. Additionally, I am a forester and would be happy to take you on a few adventures around mid and northeast Michigan when doing my daily work tasks of looking a standing timber and practicing sustainable forestry.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can possibly accept pets
Dogs
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
20 hrs. per week.
