Help out around the farm and enjoy the beauty of North Central British Columbia, Canada

Details

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  Description

  We are your hosts, Beat and Amber. We moved to this beautiful and private piece of property from the Yukon 5 years ago. Prior to our move here, we had busy lives while Beat was a business owner doing renovation and maintenance, and prior that that he was a river and mountain guide for several years. And, I worked full time in the hospital as an X-ray technologist. We had a dream...and it was to leave the big city of Whitehorse and get back to nature and live a healthier lifestyle.
  We dreamed of being able to live closer to nature and to have more space to grow our own food. We were looking for a place that was quiet, had beautiful soil and an excellent source of fresh water. Needless to say, we are both nature lovers and are always happy to see the many different species of wildlife here on our property. We also love canoeing and hiking and working outdoors. So, most of our summer days are spent either in the garden or in the forest- weeding, planting, harvesting, watering or clearing brush and fallen trees from the forest floor. We believe in working hard, so that we can play hard after a job well done. Sometimes when the weather is really hot, we try and sneak away for an afternoon of paddling. We often make a fire down at the river for an afternoon lunch outdoors when the weather is nice, rather then having to cook inside. Just a quick walk up river from us is a large creek that comes into the river that is nice for wading in on hot days.
  We are very easy going folks and don't have too many "house rules", but we do appreciate cleanliness, and an offering of help with food prep and clean up. We are non-smoking people, so would appreciate it if our guests didn't smoke either, or if they do that they are respectful and only smoke outside.
  Most of the year round we have projects on the go, except in the deep winter when things slow down for a time. Currently we're working on fencing, stall building, forest clean up, chicken coop renovation, garden harvesting, and processing firewood for this upcoming winter season, along with our daily animal care chores. We have 1 dog, 3 cats, as well as chickens and a jersey cow and calf - Buttercup and Henry! We would be very interested in having 1 or 2 people come stay with us for at least 2 weeks, and more works for us too to help out with above mentioned projects :)

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  General Maintenance
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Work away-ers have opportunities to learn about garden keeping, and harvesting as well as baking,canning and preserving. There are also many opportunities for work away-ers to learn building skills, as well as plant gathering for medicine and teas. Depending on time of season and availability, there are also opportunities to learn about poultry keeping and harvesting of chickens for meat.

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  Help

  Depending on time of season there could be building projects, garden planting or harvesting, wood clearing, painting, renovations, etc. We ASK that our visitors are self motivated and interested in learning. Most of the time visitors would be Helping together and/or with one of us, so we would welcome individuals who show excellent communication skills, help well within a team environment as well as independently. We would like people who can easily handle heavy lifting at times, can take direction with guidance and who have a passion for the outdoors and nature. We are seeking people willing to help up to 25 hours a week, 5 days a week. We don't live to work here, we work to live. So, that said, when the tasks are done - there is time for play! We request that visitors do not use cell phones/electronics during helping hours, unless it is an emergency. We are flexible with the lengths of stay, but request that visitors stay a minimum of ten days to two weeks.

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  Languages spoken

  German: Fluent
  English: Fluent

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  Accommodation

  We have one newly renovated small cabin on the river for visitors to stay in. The cabin is equipped with a new wood stove for heating, but has no electricity or plumbing. There is a newly renovated outhouse near the cabin and shower facilities are in the main house for use by our guests. We have laundry facilities at the main house for guests. We have a landline for local and long distance phone calls to North America and Europe at no charge for our guests. We do have Wi-fi here, but it can be spotty the further away from the house you are. All bedding and linens are provided. Visitors will need to bring their own bug spray if needed, work gloves and clothes and shoes appropriate for working outdoors. Also, because we are located quite far from town and we do not have TV, you may wish to bring a few good books to read in the evenings.
  We are not vegetarians here, but do enjoy lots off different foods, including vegetarian. Visitors, if inclined (but not mandatory) can offer to cook meals of their favorite foods and can make suggestions regarding what they would be interested in eating. We are pretty open to new food ideas and I always appreciate suggestions. Please just let me know if you have any food allergies or dislikes. We try to source out as much organic food as we can, and mostly eat meat that has been either hunted, or raised humanely. We do expect all of our guests to chip in with kitchen clean up...many hands make light work :)

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  What else ...

  The Bulkley Valley area is rich with wildlife, rivers, and lakes. If you have access to your own vehicle, days off could take you to visit the charming mountain town of Smithers, where you could take a short hike up to twin falls, or to Tyhee Lake (between Smithers and Telkwa), for swimming. Morristown is just West of Smithers where you can watch the natives spear fishing for salmon in the rapids (depending on time of season). The Hazeltons are a 45 minute drive West of Smithers and is a charming area to visit, with amazing mountain views and lakes to swim in. There are also possibilities to go canoeing down the Bulkley River (with Beat and I), or fishing at one of the lakes, time permitted.
  
  Any individuals wishing to experience nature out here would require to have their own vehicle if they wish to leave the property in the evenings or on days off, as we do not have a vehicle to loan. If you get bored easily, or need the stimulation of TV and gadgets, this would not be a good fit for you here. For folks interested in nature and wildlife and the solitude of the quiet out here, this might be the right fit for you.

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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

  Campervans can find a flat spot close to our house to hook up to our power and water (providing it's not too cold yet).

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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