Hippies, primitivists and lumberjacks welcome at our homestead in Cape Breton, Canada

  • Favourited 44 times
  • Last activity: 21 Mar 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: No minimum

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    We (my husband Johnny and I, Lila) have a small homestead on 1 acre where our goal is to sustain the necessities of life by our own hand - food, water, heat, shelter, medicine and clothing. This work traditionally takes a village, so if you want to live like it's 1899, come along! We are at the beginning stage of setting up a farm - so far a garden is planted and chickens are kept.

    Johnny is a skilled craftsman and valuable mentor. He takes care of our carpetry, metal work, firewood, milling, mechanics, electrical and beyond. I take care of the housekeeping, childcare, animal care, medicine, cooking and gardening.

    We currently produce (for our own use):
    Organic vegetables, herbs, metal and wood crafts, lumber milled on-site, firewood, birch and maple syrup, canned goods/preserves, apple cider, various berries and wildcrafted medicine.

    In the future we envison having goats, ducks, rabbits, a dug greenhouse, an outdoor kitchen, a root cellar, a hide tannery and weaving loom.

    Things we are glad to share with you in return for your labour:
    Country living
    Healthy food
    Truthspeaking and open-hearted communication
    Space for self care

    RULES:
    -Respect all species of life. We condone hunting when the proper acknowledgement and respect is given.
    -Support people of colour, support same-sex relationships, support women.
    -Low waste initiative (avoiding plastic/disposables/chemicals). No littering.
    -Scent free, no pollutants. I am allergic to synthetics in soap, shampoo, cleaners, etc. Do not come here with clothes washed in scented detergent or wearing scented deoderant, bug spray etc. Most essential oils are okay in moderation.
    -No cigarettes, drugs or alcohol abuse. Weed or microdosing is fine.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Farmstay help
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    General Maintenance
  • 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

    What you can learn here is how to live traditionally with the land. Johnny and I are both passionate about connecting to the ways our ancestors lived - hunting and gathering as well as farming. You will learn to respect water as we conserve our supply. We know many local plants and animals and can teach you identification, how to better respect wildlife, how to forage sustainably, and uses/medicinal properties of harvested plants. You can camp, have a campfire, stargaze. Here in Cape Breton, Mi'kmaq and Scottish history is at the forefront. You may take a trip to a local museum, visit trails and waterfalls on the island or participate in local festivals to learn more about the people, culture and land.

  • Help

    Help

    Projects may include:

    Garden prep
    Fruit, veggie and herb growing
    Making kindling and firewood
    Foraging
    Building animal shelters
    Litter cleanup
    Cooking
    Setting up irrigation
    Ditching
    Building a deck
    Sustainable forestry
    Building a greenhouse
    Knocking mortar
    Slaughter, butcher, skinning, hide tanning
    Canning, drying and preserving plants
    House renovations
    Setting up solar power

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    French: Intermediate

    This host offers a language exchange
    I'm pretty good at French and would love to practice any language you might speak. I've been introduced to Gaelic and Polish.

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    For sleeping there are a couple tents to choose from or a van with screened windows. Volunteers are welcome to bring their own accommodation.

    There is no plumbing here except cold water at the kitchen sink for washing hands and dishes. We collect water in jugs from the spring nearby for drinking and cooking.

    There is no bathroom indoors. We have a beautiful outhouse made by one of our skilled volunteers. For washing, you can heat a big pot of hot water and take it outside with a cup and bowl, use the garden hose, or fill a water jug with a spigot and rig it up overhead. If you use soap, only all-natural soaps are allowed on the land to prevent harming wildlife. On hot days I like to go swimming in the salt water lake nearby.

    We have luxuries such as power, internet, an oven/stovetop, clothes washer and dishwasher. We are now on grid power as it is our best choice right now for high amperage welding.

    We are omnivores but can accomodate other diets. In general, whole foods are what we eat and we avoid processed foods! If you're hungry and there's no meal made, please help yourself to cooking what you'd like. You can buy yourself any special treats such as coffee or chips at the Whycocomagh Co-op.

    For working bring rubber boots, gloves, light long sleeve shirt/pants for the bugs, steel toes. We provide hearing protection around power tools, tractors, chainsaws, mechanics and metal working.

    Just so you know, our cabin is in the works of renovation! When we bought it, it was in horrible shape from being abandoned for 10 years. It is unfinished and rough.

  • 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

    This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    A van or camper is fine, no room for RVs.

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    Two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    5 hours per day, 5 days per week.

Host ref number: 735777315884

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Accuracy of profile: (5.0)

Cultural exchange: (5.0)

Communication: (4.5)