Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
10 Apr 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 4 days
Feedback
32
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Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
Our farm is located in beautiful rural Vermont. The farm is over 200 years old but has not been actively farmed for decades. We don't have any farm animals but you may see a moose,deer and/or bear if you visit. We have finished the major renovating of the farm house, machinery pole barn and the main dairy barn and now use the main barn for hosting weddings and parties. There are 100 acres (40 hectares) of forest and fields, with a small river, and a stream flowing out of a beaver pond.
The farm is beautiful and perfect for sunsets and stargazing. Nearby are 26,000 acres (10,500 hectares) of state parks with lakes and trails for hiking, biking, camping, fishing, swimming and kayaking. There is a small store/restaurant one mile away and more civilization within 25 minutes.
Some of the projects for this year are some painting, splitting and stacking firewood, and mowing a lot of grass and fields. Clearing trails in the woods and chipping brush are a priority this summer. We have three tractors (two small ones for cutting grass and one big one for other things), an excavator, a small dump truck, and a 4-wheel drive utility vehicle for the woods. All of these have been used by volunteers in the past even though some had never driven any kind of a vehicle. If you are comfortable using a chain saw for cutting trees or driving a tractor already that is a big plus!
During play time, we have kayaks and bicycles and trails to hike. We also just installed a giant hot tub! A favorite adventure of previous volunteers has been floating down the river in tire tubes on a hot day. Drinking beer around a fire is also quite popular.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Many travelers to the United States think the country is defined by its cities, but there is so much more to see and experience. Vermont is rural and very beautiful, and the people are open and friendly. Come spend time outside playing in nature, practice your English, or just make friends.
Help
We have more projects than time and would love to trade some of your help for a fun experience. We are not a working farm (no fields of vegetable, no cows or horses) but we do have plenty of other things to do.
This years projects include some painting of the house and/or barn, clearing brush, trees, and trails, mowing grass and pastures, barn cleaning (before and after weddings) and repairs, vegetable gardening and many other things. There are also plenty of rocks and stumps that need to come out of the ground. Maybe you could learn to use our stump grinder or excavator? If you are familiar with using a chainsaw or operating a tractor you go straight to the top of the volunteer list. :-)
We have fun doing this and hopefully you will too.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
German: Intermediate
Accommodation
Volunteers stay in a spare bedroom in the house or in the bunk house (which is upstairs in the pole barn). The bunkhouse has separate sleeping areas and a common space with WiFi, refrigerator, microwave and music (but no plumbing). It is a great space with a great view! There are two shared bathrooms in the house, as well as a kitchen and washing machine and drier that you can use. Meals are generally shared and volunteers are encouraged to cook.
Smokers are welcome, but there is no smoking in any of the buildings.
What else ...
There is plenty to do in your time off.
The land is absolutely beautiful so bring your camera. The river is great for fishing or swimming. There are many beautiful spots waiting to be explored that are perfect for just relaxing, photographing, or just sitting and reading a book (there is a library just down the road).
Nearby are all sorts of outdoor activities like hiking, running, biking, swimming, kayaking, camping, etc. Close by (25-30 minutes) are towns with stores, restaurants, a few bars, movies, etc. We have an extra vehicle (a dump truck!) available for local travel.
Not too close by but reachable by bus are the cities of Burlington VT, Boston MA, New York, and Montreal QC, if you need some city time.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
There is plenty of space near the house or in the fields.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
4-5 hours a day, 3-5 days a week
Feedback (21)
Martin, I have no doubt that you are the best host and will always be remembered
The various work and work methods I did in your house have brought me a valuable experience
Also, thank you so much for waiting and listening to my poor English!
And the board game we played after dinner was the best!!
Your house is paradise… read more
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:
(4.9)
Martin, I have no doubt that you are the best host and will always be remembered
The various work and work methods I did in your house have brought me a valuable experience
Also, thank you so much for waiting and listening to my poor English!
And the board game we played after dinner was the best!!
Your house is paradise… read more
we really felt like home here.
Martin is a very kind man, hard worker, open minded and good friend.
Every morning and evening we set… read more
You are welcome back anytime. Good luck with your continuing adventure!
had a chance to experience the farm life of the rural Vermont, and I've enjoyed every moment.
Martin is a wonderful host and the atmosphere in his house is always welcoming.
If you're looking for a combination of stunning nature, fun projects and great hospitality, this is the place for you, no doubt.
And in Vermont, Martin's Old Scott Barn is truly a piece of Paradise on Earth. "The Old Scott Barn" has everything that makes the… read more
Martin was so kind. And the place is incredible. So many hikes and things to do around this area. And still remote enough for relaxe, and experience the rural Vermont. Thank you Martin for wonderful time. Super recommended for anyone!
It was a pleasure having you stay with us last summer. Even though your stay was not as long as we all would have liked, you were a big help in painting the big barn and maintaining the fields and woods.
It is always a interesting to learn about new cultures and your stories of home were fascinating to us.
Enjoy your life! - Martin
Their place is really amazing, and there is a lot to see around. They have bikes you can use when you have time, Kayak to use in multiple beautiful lakes around.
I met a lot of people through… read more
Thank you Martin for everything and see you in the future!
She is a… read more
