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If you are NOT a US CITIZEN and are planning to visit to work, volunteer or study, YOU WILL NEED THE CORRECT VISA. To find out more information you need to contact the embassy in your home country BEFORE travelling.
Our farm:
We have a little of everything. We have 3 older horses at our farm, they retired with me when I retired from showing, and peacefully living out their lives.
We live rural and have a sheep, goats, cows, dogs, cats, a donkey and of course the horses.
This property has been in my husbands family for generations. He has both experience with crop farming and raising livestock. He used to be a dairy farmer.
Over the years I have touched many aspects of the horse world. Anything from training and competing with horses, driving, breeding etc. I embrace natural horsemanship, and maintain my own horses feet as a barefoot trimmer.
I am Dutch and my husband is American.
We both enjoy meeting new people and sharing knowledge and experiences. you will live in our home and be part of the family.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Our area is part of the 'grain belt'. Our views are over crop fields, not houses and businesses.
We live very rural, and there is no public transportation.
Living like this is different from living in town. We deal with all the aspects of growing food for the world population. Relying on your environment and the weather every day. The challenges and benefits of being a farmer is different in every country.
Of course you will learn about horses care.
Help
We are looking for someone to help with normal day to day life on a farm.
The perfect person loves animals in general, and has the desire to gain more horse knowledge and experience from this opportunity.
Everything is small scale. Just a few horses, dogs, cats, and cows. The necessary work load is not heavy but taking care of animals is a scheduled commitment. You will help/learn to handle, feed and clean the horses.
One person can easily handle what needs to be done. We can accommodate 2 if it happens to work out that way.
Help, input, experience exchanges in cooking is not required but appreciated. Sometimes it is nice not to be responsible for dinner all the time. Also both of us enjoy different foods and always eager to try something new or different.
If you really want to connect to a horse, it won't happen overnight. That is why we require a 3 month minimum stay if you have no prior horse experience. Learning more about horses takes time. If you already have horse experience, we can discuss a different time frame.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
German: Beginner
Accommodation
You will be staying with us, in our home on the farm.
You will have a bedroom and private bathroom (it does have a washer and dryer that I use). We have good WIFI.
We provide evening dinner, and you will have access to the kitchen to make breakfast and lunch. I will try to accommodate preferences in food as much as possible. Make sure to mention special needs.
This is a no smoking household.
Due to our own pets (both inside the house and outside) and life-stock we cannot accommodate helpers traveling with their own pets.
What else ...
We enjoy interacting with other people. We don't mind a new person living in our house. We do expect you to be respectful to us, our belongings and to be kind to our animals.
You will be expected to clean up after yourself. There will be down time.
You will be invited to do things with us. Like going shopping, dinner, movie, fairs, parties family gatherings etc. when possible. But you should be able to entertain yourself as well.
Minnesota is not know for its tourism. If there is something you want to do, or see, we will try to accommodate.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Our wifi is good. Trouble with it is rare. As long as your working hours are flexible, we should have no conflicts in helping/working hours. If hours are not flexible we need to make sure it will work for both of us.
I stayed with Rosalyne and Jerry from November 2020 to August 2021 and have been back a couple times to farm-sit since. The winter is biting, the summer roasting, and the entirety of my visit was, plainly put, wonderful. In the middle of Nowhere, Minnesota are two gracious hosts and a gaggle of animals just waiting to be met.
A little yellow… read more sausage on legs named Gizmo was my introduction to the farm. In the door of the garage stood the Dutch woman that I had no idea would become a mentor, role-model, and inspiration to me by the end of my stay. Just inside the door were 3 little dogs and a tripod cat, along with Jerry, to whom I can attribute some of the funniest stories I've ever heard and a vast amount of my losses to in Catan. The cast outside was just as important; Mac, the lesson horse and the cutest of all of them; Stafford, who is far taller than me and much gentler; Hana, the mare with prestige; and Percy, an Arabian mix that stole my heart and won't give it back. All of these characters were met with on a daily basis.
Chores each day weren't much. It was a maximum of five hours total each day, and that was in the snowiest cases. Handling the horses is expected, but they are well-trained and guidance will be given where needed. Intensive labor isn't often required, if at all. Cleaning stalls in the cold season and cleaning paddocks the rest of the time is the vast majority of the workload. Driving a gator is highly encouraged (it's also very fun); retrieving bales of hay and doling out buckets of water to the troughs in the pasture are other frequent tasks. The rest of the day I was free to do as I liked in my room or outside, though in the middle of the pandemic, there wasn't much time spent in public and in town. There was a great deal of time in which I was to entertain myself or find an animal to spent time with; it wasn't a problem for me at all, but have some hobbies or get some before staying.
Food was always in abundance; healthy dinners that catered to my vegetarian requirements and good snacks in the cupboards. The wifi is fast, the rooms comfortable, the animals well-taken care of, and the work very rewarding. I took quite a few lessons with Rosalyne and Mac / Percy, though I was a beginner rider. I've never had a better teacher or trainer. Her patience is unparalleled and her criticism is meaningful; these lessons are well worth it.
I couldn't have asked for a better introduction to this program. To say I enjoyed my time here is a gross understatement. I will forever be grateful for the experiences I had here, the conversations that took place, the games we played, and the warm hospitality extended to me. I recommend this place, to say the least.
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent
)
30 Apr 2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Julie)
We very much enjoyed Julie's help and her company. She stayed with us for about 5 months. Julie is a quick and eager learner. She is reliable and follows directions easily. She has plenty of common sense to take charge, and make decisions on her own if needed. She is responsible and kind. We had interesting talks and discussions about many… read more different subjects. We will welcome her back any time.
(Excellent
)
19 Apr 2021
Left by Workawayer (Julie) for host
I had a good 5-month stay with Rosalyne and Jerry in southern Minnesota. I did my exchange over late-fall and winter months. Yes, it sure gets cold but I survived :) I helped care for 4 horses and 1 pony. When I began, I had various but inextensive experiences with horses, so I highly-appreciate that I was able to gain concrete equestrian… read more experience at this hosted work exchange. I am aware there is much more to learn but even so I feel I possess quality knowledge about horse behavior and care to work off of in the future. Rosalyne's guidance, the constant routine of daily chores, taking lessons, as well as the permission I had to do groundwork on my own time with the horses contributed to my learning. I worked through frustrations, had revelations, and found joy working with each resident equine and their individual personalities and temperaments. The physical work was plentiful but not overwhelming: preparing stalls, cleaning paddocks, moving bales of hay, and grooming horses with a winter coat takes some muscle work too!
As stated in the profile, the farm property is tucked away from urban bustle. I liked the abundant personal time, and felt it was well-balanced by spirited dinner conversations, game nights, small holiday get-togethers, and several invitations to help with errands off the farm. The 3 small dogs and 1 three-legged cat also kept things lively in the house, and the outdoor farm pets added their own charm. It was an experience dwelling in an area with large-scale production farming. Doing outings during the Covid-19 pandemic was obviously limited, but Rosalyne and Jerry still made an effort to be engaging. I experienced riding in a very tall modern tractor and a livestock auction with Jerry, and with Rosalyne there were delightful horse things to do (helping during client lessons, getting private lessons on groundwork and riding English-style) and Dutch culture to encounter.
Thank you Rosalyne and Jerry for making me feel welcomed, fairly-treated, and appreciated. I am humbled by your support and understanding along my journey for growth. You both are wonderful as hosts because of your generosity, enthusiasm, and wisdom. You both are also unforgettable to me having gotten to know your spunk, frankness, life experiences, humor and ease, and ability to love. I would return to gain more horse experience and to enjoy another home/ farm stay with you folks!
This workawayer has chosen to keep their profile private, but can be contacted regarding this feedback by other workawayers.
(Excellent
)
9 Dec 2018
Left by Workawayer (Alina) for host
I stayed with Rosalyne and Jerry for about two months. They are both amazing and hard working people who care about their animals a lot. Both of them are very knowledgeable and kind and you will learn a lot from them.
I loved to improve my riding skills on Rosalyne's great horses, she is a great teacher.
The Farm itself is amazing, the horses and… read more other animals couldn't have a happier life. The room for workawayers is also very nice. The "work" was always fun!
I highly recommend to stay with them, I had an amazing time and hope to be back in Minnesota very soon.
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Mac with a student and Rosalyne with Percy in the outdoor arena
The tack stalls, tack room and indoor arena
Stafford and Hana in the pasture
Jerry and Rosalyne
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
11 Oct 2021
Left by Workawayer (Arthur) for host
I stayed with Rosalyne and Jerry from November 2020 to August 2021 and have been back a couple times to farm-sit since. The winter is biting, the summer roasting, and the entirety of my visit was, plainly put, wonderful. In the middle of Nowhere, Minnesota are two gracious hosts and a gaggle of animals just waiting to be met.
A little yellow… read more sausage on legs named Gizmo was my introduction to the farm. In the door of the garage stood the Dutch woman that I had no idea would become a mentor, role-model, and inspiration to me by the end of my stay. Just inside the door were 3 little dogs and a tripod cat, along with Jerry, to whom I can attribute some of the funniest stories I've ever heard and a vast amount of my losses to in Catan. The cast outside was just as important; Mac, the lesson horse and the cutest of all of them; Stafford, who is far taller than me and much gentler; Hana, the mare with prestige; and Percy, an Arabian mix that stole my heart and won't give it back. All of these characters were met with on a daily basis.
Chores each day weren't much. It was a maximum of five hours total each day, and that was in the snowiest cases. Handling the horses is expected, but they are well-trained and guidance will be given where needed. Intensive labor isn't often required, if at all. Cleaning stalls in the cold season and cleaning paddocks the rest of the time is the vast majority of the workload. Driving a gator is highly encouraged (it's also very fun); retrieving bales of hay and doling out buckets of water to the troughs in the pasture are other frequent tasks. The rest of the day I was free to do as I liked in my room or outside, though in the middle of the pandemic, there wasn't much time spent in public and in town. There was a great deal of time in which I was to entertain myself or find an animal to spent time with; it wasn't a problem for me at all, but have some hobbies or get some before staying.
Food was always in abundance; healthy dinners that catered to my vegetarian requirements and good snacks in the cupboards. The wifi is fast, the rooms comfortable, the animals well-taken care of, and the work very rewarding. I took quite a few lessons with Rosalyne and Mac / Percy, though I was a beginner rider. I've never had a better teacher or trainer. Her patience is unparalleled and her criticism is meaningful; these lessons are well worth it.
I couldn't have asked for a better introduction to this program. To say I enjoyed my time here is a gross understatement. I will forever be grateful for the experiences I had here, the conversations that took place, the games we played, and the warm hospitality extended to me. I recommend this place, to say the least.
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent)
30 Apr 2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Julie)
We very much enjoyed Julie's help and her company. She stayed with us for about 5 months. Julie is a quick and eager learner. She is reliable and follows directions easily. She has plenty of common sense to take charge, and make decisions on her own if needed. She is responsible and kind. We had interesting talks and discussions about many… read more different subjects. We will welcome her back any time.
(Excellent)
19 Apr 2021
Left by Workawayer (Julie) for host
I had a good 5-month stay with Rosalyne and Jerry in southern Minnesota. I did my exchange over late-fall and winter months. Yes, it sure gets cold but I survived :) I helped care for 4 horses and 1 pony. When I began, I had various but inextensive experiences with horses, so I highly-appreciate that I was able to gain concrete equestrian… read more experience at this hosted work exchange. I am aware there is much more to learn but even so I feel I possess quality knowledge about horse behavior and care to work off of in the future. Rosalyne's guidance, the constant routine of daily chores, taking lessons, as well as the permission I had to do groundwork on my own time with the horses contributed to my learning. I worked through frustrations, had revelations, and found joy working with each resident equine and their individual personalities and temperaments. The physical work was plentiful but not overwhelming: preparing stalls, cleaning paddocks, moving bales of hay, and grooming horses with a winter coat takes some muscle work too!
As stated in the profile, the farm property is tucked away from urban bustle. I liked the abundant personal time, and felt it was well-balanced by spirited dinner conversations, game nights, small holiday get-togethers, and several invitations to help with errands off the farm. The 3 small dogs and 1 three-legged cat also kept things lively in the house, and the outdoor farm pets added their own charm. It was an experience dwelling in an area with large-scale production farming. Doing outings during the Covid-19 pandemic was obviously limited, but Rosalyne and Jerry still made an effort to be engaging. I experienced riding in a very tall modern tractor and a livestock auction with Jerry, and with Rosalyne there were delightful horse things to do (helping during client lessons, getting private lessons on groundwork and riding English-style) and Dutch culture to encounter.
Thank you Rosalyne and Jerry for making me feel welcomed, fairly-treated, and appreciated. I am humbled by your support and understanding along my journey for growth. You both are wonderful as hosts because of your generosity, enthusiasm, and wisdom. You both are also unforgettable to me having gotten to know your spunk, frankness, life experiences, humor and ease, and ability to love. I would return to gain more horse experience and to enjoy another home/ farm stay with you folks!
This workawayer has chosen to keep their profile private, but can be contacted regarding this feedback by other workawayers.
(Excellent)
9 Dec 2018
Left by Workawayer (Alina) for host
I stayed with Rosalyne and Jerry for about two months. They are both amazing and hard working people who care about their animals a lot. Both of them are very knowledgeable and kind and you will learn a lot from them.
I loved to improve my riding skills on Rosalyne's great horses, she is a great teacher.
The Farm itself is amazing, the horses and… read more other animals couldn't have a happier life. The room for workawayers is also very nice. The "work" was always fun!
I highly recommend to stay with them, I had an amazing time and hope to be back in Minnesota very soon.
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent)
23 Jan 2018
Left by Workawayer (Lena) for host
I have spent 9 weeks at the farm and my time was amazing. I had a lot of fun working with the animals and Rosalyne and Jerry are super fun and nice people. It was a great way to experience the american way of life and to learn about living on a farm. I can only recommend staying here! Thank you for my amazing time here! :)
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent)
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If you are NOT a US CITIZEN and are planning to visit to work, volunteer or study, YOU WILL NEED THE CORRECT VISA. To find out more information you need to contact the embassy in your home country BEFORE travelling. Do NOT attempt to enter the USA without the correct visa!
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
