updated  

Help out, eat well and live beautifully on our little farm in Massachusetts, USA

Availability

  2025 

 Min stay requested: at least 1 month

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Details

  • Description

    Description

    Come help out on our lovely property in the fabulous town of Shelburne Falls in beautiful western Massachusetts, USA. We are Janice, artist and interior designer and Michael, professor of English and American Studies at Fitchburg State University. We are both active and engaged people. We like to run, cook, write, garden, and create, among other things.

    Our home includes two kitties, Thomas Catkins and Smudge and two dogs, Gideon (black lab) and Babette (beagle/Chihuahua) and is set rurally though we are not too far from wonderful cultural activities.

    We are always chock full of new projects and creative ideas for beautifying our place and taking social and artistic action.

    If you do not -absolutely love dogs-, we are not the home for you. If you do not love meeting new people but rather, prefer to spend your time on your device, we are not the home for you. If you do not like to try new foods, we are not the home for you. —> If you do love dogs, the land, good food, creative conversation, social engagement, clear communication and the good life, come stay with us! :)

    (Extra points and consideration given to people who have clearly read our full profile and since you’ve made it this far that includes you!)

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Charity Work
    Art Projects
    Language practice
    Help with Eco Projects
    Teaching
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Farmstay help
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
    Help with Computers/ Internet
  • Interests

    Interests

    Sustainability
    Self development
    Vegetarian or vegan
    Politics / Social justice
    Pets
    Movies & TV
    Farming
    Events & social
    Culture
    Charity work
    Writing
    Plant care
    Music
    Performing arts
    History
    Gardening
    Drawing & painting
    DIY & crafts
    Cooking & food
    Books
    Art & design
    Animals
    Cycling
    Winter sports
    Yoga / Wellness
    Outdoor activities
    Nature
    Hiking
    Fitness
    Dancing
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    We will love to have you and it is my hope that we will learn from one another! I can teach you some of the basics of canning, cooking and bread baking as well as a thing or two about cleaning and gardening. Michael plays the banjo and/or mandolin pretty much every day so musicians are encouraged to apply!

    Michael and I are now both fully vaccinated/inoculated and have moved back into the normal pre-covid social activities.

    If you are a Spanish or French speaker I will enjoy practicing with you and I can help you with English if you like, no matter where you are from!

  • Help

    Help

    Here at our place in western MA help needed will vary from day to day except for a few daily tasks such as animal chores, cleaning, gardening and cooking. Other help required can include raspberry picking, painting, transcription, computer help, organizing the basement, weeding our small kitchen garden and mowing (in summer), leaf removal (in fall) and shoveling (in winter). Come join us!

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent

    This host offers a language exchange
    I would enjoy practicing my Spanish with you and supporting your English learning.

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    We have three spaces where you might stay depending on what else is happening in our household at the time. We have “Little Home Sweet Home”, a cabin next to my studio, the “magic room” which is a finished attic space preferred by many of our workawayers for its privacy and coziness, or the larger “family room.” All have comfy beds.

    I am a professional cook and love to feed people healthy, delicious food. This will include our farm fresh eggs. :)

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    If you are a person who spends the bulk of you’re time in your room on your devises— we are not a great fit. We are not anti technology but rather pro irl and part of what we offer are social interaction, connection and adventures in the outer/outside world.

    We live in the fabulous town of Shelburne Falls in beautiful western Massachusetts where open minded people and rural country living co-exist. You can swim, hike, ski, dance, practice yoga and hear live music all within 10-40 min of here. We are 35 minutes from Northampton, 30 min from North Adams (and Mass MoCA), 45 min from Amherst, two hours east of Boston and New York City is four hours south.

    No daily pot smoking.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    You have internet access everywhere in the house and there is a desk in the bedroom where you can work while not on workaway hours.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    Any size. We have lots of room on our property.

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    Dogs, sorry no cats.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    Two

Host ref number: 635978485569

Website Safety

Feedback (32)



Photos

The image depicts a man and woman posing for a selfie in a wooded area, with the man\'s arm around the woman\'s shoulder.
The image depicts a serene outdoor dining scene, featuring a couple seated at a table adorned with candles and a wooden bowl, set against a picturesque grassy field backdrop.
The image depicts a dining room with a dark wood table, a vase of sunflowers, and a blue door, set against a yellow wall.
The image depicts a charming yellow house with a covered porch, surrounded by lush greenery and vibrant flowers, set against a serene blue sky.
The image depicts a cozy living room with a blue couch, a piano, and a rug, surrounded by windows and plants, exuding a warm and inviting atmosphere.
The image depicts a small, one-story house with a blue door and windows, surrounded by trees and a flowering bush in the foreground.
The image depicts a bathroom sink with a copper basin and blue tiles, situated in front of a window featuring a collection of plants and hanging glass containers.
The image depicts a wall adorned with framed artwork and decorative flowers, featuring a mix of gold and silver frames in various sizes and shapes.
The image depicts a collection of dark-colored jam or jelly in glass jars on a kitchen counter, with a tile backsplash featuring a goat painting.
The image depicts a vibrant bouquet of sunflowers and yellow flowers in a decorative vase, set against a cozy living room backdrop.
The image depicts a serene scene of a stone bridge spanning a river, with a small town nestled in the background and a lush green hillside.

Feedback

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

Accuracy of profile:
(4.8)

Cultural exchange:
(4.5)

Communication:
(4.5)










































Join in and help on our Boer goat farm in Central Pennsylvania, USA
Come help us with our organic regenerative gardens and occasional household projects near Denver Colorado, USA