Live on a family homestead near Lake Huron and learn sustainable farming in Northern Michigan, USA

Details

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  Description

  Welcome to our family homestead in beautiful Northern Michigan!
  
  I'm a forester by trade and have spent most of my life working in the forests and fields of this area. After studying forestry and returning home to work in the family business, I developed a passion for sustainable land management, healthy soils, and producing food responsibly.
  
  Today I share this homestead with my three daughters, and together we're creating a place where they can grow up learning practical life skills, responsibility, teamwork, and a deep appreciation for nature. We raise cattle, maintain large vegetable gardens, cut our own lumber and firewood, and are always working on projects that improve the land and make the homestead more self-sufficient.
  
  We're best suited for experienced Workawayers who already have some farming, gardening, landscaping, construction, or hands-on outdoor work experience. Because this is a busy, working homestead, we're looking for people who are self-motivated, observant, and comfortable working independently after receiving instructions. If you're someone who enjoys solving problems, taking initiative, and seeing a project through, you'll fit in well here.
  
  Our home is relaxed, family-oriented, and built around mutual respect. We regularly host solo travelers, and creating a comfortable, welcoming environment is important to us.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Light gardening

  Creative DIY projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Light maintenance
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  Interests

  

  Beach

  

  Nature

  

  Outdoor activities

  

  Animals

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Farming

  

  Carpentry

  

  Gardening

  

  Plant care
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  This Workaway is about much more than helping on a farm, it's an opportunity to experience everyday life on a working Northern Michigan homestead and become part of a welcoming community.
  
  You'll have the opportunity to learn practical skills such as vegetable gardening, soil health, raising cattle, pasture management, fencing, food preservation, firewood production, and many of the day-to-day projects that go into maintaining a self-sufficient homestead.
  
  Our family has deep roots here. I was born and raised in this area, and being involved in the local community is an important part of life on the homestead. Throughout the summer, there are weekly community concerts, community meals, art classes, sailing lessons, local arts festivals, and one of Northern Michigan's best weekly farmers markets. It's a wonderful place to meet local people and experience small-town life beyond what most visitors get to see.

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  Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage

  This host offers accommodation and payment.

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  Help

  We're looking for enthusiastic, dependable people who enjoy working outdoors and want to experience life on a working homestead. This position is intended for experienced Workawayers rather than complete beginners. While we're always happy to answer questions and explain projects, this isn't a teaching or internship program. We appreciate people who can quickly understand a task, work safely and efficiently, and take pride in producing quality work with minimal supervision.
  
  Work is typically 25 hours per week, Monday through Friday, giving you weekends free to relax or explore Northern Michigan.
  
  Projects change throughout the seasons and may include:
  
  Planting, weeding, harvesting, and maintaining the vegetable gardens
  Caring for cattle and assisting with general livestock chores
  Hay production
  Cutting, splitting, bundling, and stacking firewood
  Fence construction and repairs
  Sawing lumber for homestead building projects
  Property maintenance and seasonal improvement projects
  
  All Workaway hours are paid. Compensation is determined based on your previous farming or homesteading experience, practical skills, and level of independence. There are often opportunities for additional paid hours for those who would like to work more and earn extra income.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent

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  Accommodation

  Workawayers stay in private accommodations that are separate from the family home, giving you plenty of personal space and privacy while still being part of life on the homestead.
  
  Most guests stay in a comfortable clean camper trailer that includes:
  
  Wi-Fi
  Air conditioning or Heating
  Electricity
  Two comfortable beds
  A quiet, private space to relax after work
  
  Depending on the season and availability, Workawayers may also have the opportunity to stay in our cozy cabin. Nestled on the property, the cabin offers a warm Northern Michigan experience with comfortable bedrooms, electricity, Wifi, laundry, and a peaceful setting overlooking the homestead. It's the perfect place to unwind after a day outdoors and enjoy the quiet of the countryside. During parts of the year, the cabin is also listed as an bnb, so availability varies by season.
  
  Guests have access to a dedicated communal kitchen located in its own separate building on the property. The kitchen is fully equipped for preparing meals and is a great place to cook, gather, and unwind after a day of work. During the warmer months, there's also an outdoor shower that's perfect after a day spent in the garden or around the farm.
  
  All food is provided by the host. Depending on the season, this includes groceries, fresh vegetables and fruit from the garden, fresh eggs, grass-fed beef and pork raised on the farm, home-raised poultry, and other seasonal homestead products whenever available. We enjoy sharing the harvest and giving Workawayers the opportunity to experience farm-to-table living.
  
  Laundry facilities are available on the property for Workawayers to use during their stay. Bedding and Towels are provided in both the trailer and the cabin, although you're welcome to bring your own pillow, blanket, or other comforts from home if you prefer.
  
  We want our guests to feel comfortable, have their own space to recharge, and enjoy the balance of being part of a family homestead while maintaining their independence.

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  What else ...

  Our homestead is located in Tawas City on the shores of Lake Huron and right next to the Huron-Manistee National Forest.
  
  On your days off you can explore:
  
  Beautiful Lake Huron beaches
  State parks and hiking trails
  The Au Sable River for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing
  Scenic forests and wildlife areas
  Local farmers markets, coffee shops, and small-town festivals
  Incredible sunrises over Lake Huron
  
  Northern Michigan is an amazing place if you enjoy hiking, swimming, paddling, wildlife, photography, or simply spending time outdoors.
  
  Because this is also a family home with children around, we value kindness, maturity, and respect. We're looking for people who enjoy being part of a positive, welcoming environment where everyone looks out for one another.
  
  If you're excited to experience real homestead life, learn practical skills, and explore one of Michigan's most beautiful regions, we'd love to hear from you!
  
  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.

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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

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  Dogs and Cats

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  My animals / pets

  Pigs

  

  Banjo

  

  Highland Cows

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