United States
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This may not be your usual work exchange listing, as coming here may be as much, if not more, about what you can do for yourself, as it is what you can do for the host. For better or worse, humanity probably isn’t ever going to go back to the days and ways of long ago, and whether we like it or not, things can’t, and probably won’t, continue on in the same unsustainable manner that they are now, either. So while we may hope and dream for a better future, it seems just as likely, if not even more so, that things might very well get progressively worse, maybe even far worse, and perhaps the best chance that a person has to keep that from happening to them, is to get things in place that will make them as free and independent as possible from the system and society who cause things to be that way. Accomplishing this is one of the main goals and primary areas of focus here, and so those who come here will have the opportunity to work towards doing that very thing.
It really comes down to finding other like-minded people to work together with, where we do things for ourselves, and each other, all at the same time, and then help or teach others how to do the same, but as with any group or team, it is only as strong as its weakest link. And therein lays a big part of the equation. You have to have the right people to work together with, in order to make things happen, otherwise things can quickly fall apart or take a downward trajectory that makes the task even harder, or take longer, or be more costly to accomplish, or maybe even not ever get done at all. So the purpose of my host farm profile is to find the right people to work together with.
Finding people who are a good fit, especially for what I would like to build and create here, goes well beyond just posting a profile and photos and then waiting for reply messages. And if it does seem like someone might be a good fit, then there is a form that I have people fill out, so that I can try to make their time here, as well as everyone else’s, be as safe, fun and beneficial as possible.
As I said, what I am looking for, is people who want to do things for themselves, and who have the skills to be gardeners, herbalists, healers, builders, etc., or the ability to learn. I’d like to find people who can either help build their own dwellings of some sort, whether it be a cabin, tiny house, yurt, etc., and then use it to stay in while they are here, and then maybe they might stay here seasonally for several or more years. If you have a van, camper or RV, that works too, as I am in the process of developing many campsites on the property. There is a campsite that has water, sewer and electrical hookups available. There are also a couple of cabins here that could be finished and then stayed in. Along with that, there is the potential to build additional units, and rent them out as a source of income, whether it be a farm B&B, or by going thru services such as Hipcamp and others.
At the farm, I grow well over 500 varieties of fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers, and since I don’t spray, there are also many native or naturally occurring plant species which may have an assortment of uses. It would be great to have one or more herbalist-type of persons come here and make good use out of all the things that grow here, whether it be brewing, baking, infusing, drying, or making all kinds of things, from tinctures, soap, personal care products, food items, dyes, jewelry, arts & crafts, etc., and there would be many ways in which you could market the items you make, as not only do I have a natural foods store where they may be able to be sold, but there are also farmers markets, an onsite farm stand, events, and festivals, online sales, farm to school, restaurants, other stores, you name it! There is also an assortment of things around here that could be re-purposed into sellable items, if you are into doing that kind of thing.
I would also like to develop a Wellness Center at either the store, or the farm, or both, so if you are a licensed or certified naturopath, massage therapist, etc., or if you administer some type of therapy or treatment, or if you want to hold classes, retreats, or teach or train others in a health and wellness related field, and you are going to be here on a longer term basis where you could establish a business and customers, then we should talk more about that!
As with any of these things, it requires a person who has goals, ambitions, skills, and a decent amount of self-discipline. After all, these things aren’t going to happen all by themselves, you have to make them happen! So your returns will be largely dependent on, and based off of, your own efforts. The land, the resources, and the outlets for selling things is all here and in place. It’s just a matter of finding people who will come and do the work! If you want to be a seasonal resident, the goal would be to make enough money through your own efforts during the season, so that you can then go somewhere else for the winter, and then return again in the spring.
I hear people talk about how they want to do all kinds of things like this, but they don’t have the money, land, knowledge or resources to start from scratch. Well, here, you wouldn’t need to have all of that. You’d just have to come do the work, carve out a niche, and establish yourself.
At the same time, I have done an incredible amount of work in the last 15 years, and taken on a ridiculous amount of expenses, just in order to get things to be to the point where they are now. So in order to offer this opportunity, there would have to be some sort of profit sharing arrangement, but that would be on an individual basis, since there are so many different things that can be done, and so many different ways to do them.
At the same time, if you want to stay here, there will be some other tasks that will still need to be done along the way, from time to time, aside from just working on whatever things you are doing or making, such as tending the gardens so that people can eat, or the lawn might need mowing, for example. If you are making things that are plant-derived, you will have to do some of the plant care and maintenance anyhow. I primarily just grow enough things to feed whoever is here, and so that I have a few things to sell at the store, or to use in the deli/kitchen there, and potentially at an onsite farm stand. If you want to grow more than that, and then go to the farmers markets, or set up a CSA, or sell through other outlets, of which there are many, that is all possible, as I have the equipment, seed and supplies, you would just have to do the work! This is all far too much for one person to do, so that is why I am not currently doing it all myself.
If you come here and want a part-time paid job at my store on the side, this might also be an option, if you are going to be here for the whole season, or for at least 3 months, as I don’t want people coming and going whereby I have to spend any more time than necessary repeatedly training new people at the store. This would only be if we have a current opening; and if you are legally eligible to be employed in the US. It would also be best if you have your own vehicle to get back and forth. You would likely only work at the store 2, or maybe 3 days a week at the most, for a total of 12-18 hours, though if someone REALLY needed to work more hours, it could maybe be arranged with the other employees. There are 2 possible positions, one would be as a cashier, and one would be in the deli/kitchen making all kinds of freshly prepared items, or it could possibly be such that a person can do both, but that depends on the person’s skills, abilities and interests. If the deli/kitchen is of interest to someone, while previous food handling experience isn’t required, it certainly is a PLUS!
The ultimate goal here is to make the farm be as self-sufficient and self-sustaining as possible, thereby making those who stay here as independent and free as possible. In an effort to do that, I would like to build a root cellar/storm-apocalypse shelter, construct a water collection & filtration system, and create an outdoor stone or earthen oven for heating and cooking.
I am currently in the process of planting over 200 trees and bushes that all bloom and produce fruits, berries, seeds or nuts. I have 2 huge piles of twigs and branches from having pruned and cleared out the grove so that it can be used for camping and a place of gathering. Rather than just burning it all, I would like to rent a chipper/shredder and shred it all into chips for use around the farm, or possibly even to sell, but that will be a big job! Any help that someone can give towards these things would be fantastic!
At some point, the energy and electrical independence aspect will have to be addressed, but I also view that as the biggest challenge, so I’m leaving that till last. It doesn’t change the fact, however, that I believe that we better go back to doing things for ourselves and for each other, because if you have to depend on governments and corporations for your survival, then you put yourself at risk of becoming at the mercy of someone who very well may not have your best interests in mind, and what you will get then, is something that will likely be the worse for you! I’ll just leave it at that. If you are interested in what I am doing here and you would like to discuss this further, please send me a message.
Thank you!
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
See Description Above
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.
I am also looking to turn the farm or some other parcel of land into a gathering and event venue for music festivals, retreats, classes, etc., although for now, this may have to be lower down on the priority list than what is listed above, until we can get that in place, first.
I am also looking to turn the store into more of a health and wellness center, or create such a thing at the farm, so if you are into any health and healing practices, or if you are certified in any health related fields, there could be opportunities for you in relation to that as well.
Of course, I still plan to continue to raise many varieties of fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers for whoever is here, I just plan to grow less of them and not go to any farmers markets, simply so that I can focus more energy and attention on the things listed above. But anyone who wants to help with, or learn about, this aspect of things here, that would be great as that may help to contribute to my ability to direct more focus elsewhere. Or if you want to do the work, go to the farmers markets, and make a portion of the proceeds, then there may be potential for you to do that, as long as I don’t end up having to put an inordinate amount of time or energy into doing it myself.
English: Fluent
German: Beginner
There is a Camper/RV pad if someone is living in theirs. I have a guest cabin in the back yard, and hope to build another one, at some point. The main building at the farm has a full bathroom, kitchen, and infrared sauna, along with a large room which has additional beds for guests/volunteers
I have everyone fill out a questionnaire before arriving (skills, interests, dietary restrictions, allergies, medications, emergency contact info, etc) so that we can better plan for your stay and tailor it, as best we can, to what you like to do or want to learn.
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
There is internet and wifi here.
I have a Camper/RV pad in the front yard with water, septic and electric hookups
More than two
max 25 hrs
