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Host rating
80 %
Last replied
21 Mar 2024
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3
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Details
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
Help with Eco ProjectsGardeningDIY and building projectsAnimal CareFarmstay helpCreating/ Cooking family mealsGeneral MaintenanceUN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
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
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 powerLanguages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: IntermediateThis 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
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
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.
Space for parking camper vans
A van or camper is fine, no room for RVs.
Can possibly accept pets
This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
5 hours per day, 5 days per week.
Feedback (2)
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(4.5)