Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
28 Apr 2026
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
33
Facebook verified
Email verified
Badges (4)
Give the gift of Workaway
read more
Details
Description
This is the year we are retiring from commercial farming and focusing more on homesteading and self-sufficiency.
Our home sits on 400 acres of land in the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve region. There are many lakes within a short drive.
We smoke meat (hams and bacon) from the pigs we raised in our forest, make pasta, sourdough bread, and fermented food, work permaculture principles into our orchard, cut and process wood to heat our home, make some body care products (soap and tallow balm) and maintain a small garden. We love to experiment and try new things.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
House & pet sitting
Interests
Sustainability
Animals
Plant care
Gardening
Cooking & food
Nature
Water sports
Hiking
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We love to experiment with making the best food ever: making sausage, pasta, sourdough bread, milling flour, making kefir, crafting soap, smoking meat, trying new recipies are all things we do regularly.
Help
May and June will be a time of preparing the gardens and the orchard for planting, purchasing and starting plants, and, of course, planting them. We have an existing orchard and want to interplant with berry and vegetable plants to make it more of a permaculture setup.
Helping us split and stack firewood, take care of our flock of laying hens, and baking for market are other things we would like help with
At the end of May we will be looking for someone to house sit our two dogs and flock of chickens. While here you have an unlimited supply of eggs and organic pork, as well as home-made bread.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
We offer you a large fully furnished private room, incredible food that we have raised (including a lot of pork and chicken) and great hands-on hamesteading experiences. We have internet and cell service. During your stay you will be treated as one of the family. Alternatively, we can arrange space for your off grid camper or tiny home for those intending to stay a while.
What else ...
Some fun activities we would love to share with you are visiting other farms, hiking on the many trails on our property, swimming and boating on local lakes, visiting heritage sites. If you want to go further afield, Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City are accessible via Megabus.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
Find a secluded place on our 400 acres to call your summer home. We cannot offer hookups to water or sewer.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Jill
Host ref number: 852239776898
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
+7
Feedback (14)
9 May 2026
Left by host for Workawayer (Malin & Agnes)
Malin and Agnes were a delight to host! Our home was full of laughter and good stories. Zest for life and adventures characterize them both. They did all of the tasks we needed done and did them very well. They are clean and neat, their English is excellent, and they can entertain themselves with a book, puzzle or craft on rainy days. We highly… read more
(Excellent
)
9 May 2026
Left by Workawayer (Malin & Agnes) for host
We stayed at Karen and Richards place for one Month and ist was amazing. Though there were only chickens there was always something to do. They are happy to take you along in their everyday life, teaching and telling you everyting they know. We got a lot of insight in Farming techniques and how living in Canada can be. It was a joy being there and… read more
21 Jul 2022
Left by host for Workawayer (Robin)
Robin has been such a delight to host! Incredibly creative in all ways (one of her superpowers is as a flavour artist), Robin can troubleshoot to help solve problems, is very easy to get along with and a very hard worker. Not only would we welcome Robin back, but she is coming back over the summer as time allows! Robin is definately part of the… read more
(Excellent
)
25 May 2022
Left by host for Workawayer (Émilie)
Émilie was such a joy to be around. A total optimist, she makes you feel joy in every task. After not hosting people for two years during COVID Émilie was the perfect person to start with. Émilie is a hard worker, lots of fun, knows wonderful recipes and is just a wonderful person to be around.
(Excellent
)
25 May 2022
Left by Workawayer (Émilie) for host
I spent a month at Karen and Rick’s place and it went by so fast! I really had a lovely experience and felt at ease quickly. I got to learn about raising chickens, sheep and pigs and had various opportunities to drive tractors, which was very new to me. Karen also taught me how to make rye sourdough bread, Challah bread and milk bread buns from… read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
+7
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)
9 May 2026
Left by host for Workawayer (Malin & Agnes)
Malin and Agnes were a delight to host! Our home was full of laughter and good stories. Zest for life and adventures characterize them both. They did all of the tasks we needed done and did them very well. They are clean and neat, their English is excellent, and they can entertain themselves with a book, puzzle or craft on rainy days. We highly… read more
(Excellent)
9 May 2026
Left by Workawayer (Malin & Agnes) for host
We stayed at Karen and Richards place for one Month and ist was amazing. Though there were only chickens there was always something to do. They are happy to take you along in their everyday life, teaching and telling you everyting they know. We got a lot of insight in Farming techniques and how living in Canada can be. It was a joy being there and… read more
21 Jul 2022
Left by host for Workawayer (Robin)
Robin has been such a delight to host! Incredibly creative in all ways (one of her superpowers is as a flavour artist), Robin can troubleshoot to help solve problems, is very easy to get along with and a very hard worker. Not only would we welcome Robin back, but she is coming back over the summer as time allows! Robin is definately part of the… read more
(Excellent)
25 May 2022
Left by host for Workawayer (Émilie)
Émilie was such a joy to be around. A total optimist, she makes you feel joy in every task. After not hosting people for two years during COVID Émilie was the perfect person to start with. Émilie is a hard worker, lots of fun, knows wonderful recipes and is just a wonderful person to be around.
(Excellent)
25 May 2022
Left by Workawayer (Émilie) for host
I spent a month at Karen and Rick’s place and it went by so fast! I really had a lovely experience and felt at ease quickly. I got to learn about raising chickens, sheep and pigs and had various opportunities to drive tractors, which was very new to me. Karen also taught me how to make rye sourdough bread, Challah bread and milk bread buns from… read more
12 Nov 2019
Left by Workawayer (Anne-Sophie & Thomas) for host
We stayed at Karen & Richard's 5 weeks and it was really hard to leave, we had the greatest experience we could possibly dream of. I can't even find one reason for not going at the Farm! Karen, Richard (and Rosa of course!) are kind, open-minded, willing to share their stories, experience, knowledge and willing to help in any circumstances! We… read more
31 Oct 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Anne-Sophie & Thomas)
We so enjoyed the time that Thomas and Anne-Sophie spent with us. What an amazing, fun, talented couple! They are both willing to pitch in and work no matter the weather and conditions. We were able to trust the full care of our sheep, goat and laying flock to them. Thomas helped us with several building projects and is an amazing cook.… read more
(Excellent)
25 Aug 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Julien)
Julien was a delight to host! From the very first day he felt like family. He is VERY neat, polite, and a VERY hard worker, always looking for another job he can do. On top of all of this Julien has a great sense of humour. During the time Julien was with us he mastered the brush hog, tractor driving, gas weed-eater, taking full responsibility for… read more
(Excellent)
25 Aug 2019
Left by Workawayer (Julien) for host
I spent 4 wonderful weeks at Richard and Karen's farm and I will never forget my stay there !
Richard and Karen are a very peaceful and friendly couple. They are also hard-workers who are passionnate by their way of farming and they will be happy to share it with you. You will quickly become a family member.
About their farm, I have never seen a… read more
Richard and Karen are a very peaceful and friendly couple. They are also hard-workers who are passionnate by their way of farming and they will be happy to share it with you. You will quickly become a family member.
About their farm, I have never seen a… read more
23 Jul 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Lutz)
Lutz stayed with us for 10 weeks in the spring and early summer of 2019. What a talented man! During his stay Lutz developed a genealogy tracker for my ewes, butchered most of a 700 lb boar (smoked bacon, smoked ham, sausages, chops, etc), helped to butcher chickens and ducks, and helped us with all the chores. He is a very hard worker and we… read more
(Excellent)
23 Jul 2019
Left by Workawayer (Lutz) for host
The 10 weeks I spent with Karen and Richard from May until July were some of the best of my life!
A relaxed and yet hard-working couple, they will greet you with open arms and integrate you into their workflow according to your skills and interests. From caring for the animals to planting and maintaining the garden and helping with poultry… read more
A relaxed and yet hard-working couple, they will greet you with open arms and integrate you into their workflow according to your skills and interests. From caring for the animals to planting and maintaining the garden and helping with poultry… read more
26 May 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Dorothee)
Dorothee was an absolute delight to get to know - an amazing, complex, yet easy-to-get-along-with person. We both fell in love with her and wanted to adopt her! She has a vast and varied skill set and is happy to add new skills. Mucking out stalls, working in rain, cold and bugs, even helping us to butcher some pigs was handled with good humour… read more
(Excellent)
26 May 2019
Left by Workawayer (Dorothee) for host
For anyone who reads this and may still be unsure, just do it! It will be a wonderful experience and you will absolutely love it! Karen and Richard are very special people, warm- hearted and they share all their experiences and knowledge with you. They are fun to be around and we always had a good laugh. I enjoyed the time on the Farm and with the… read more
5 Apr 2019
Left by Workawayer (Prewett & Saffron) for host
We had a wonderful time at Karen & Richards farm, we stayed for 5 weeks during lambing season. They are a caring, kind & friendly couple, who have such genuine care & interest in the people who come to stay. Our room was huge, with loads of storage & sunlight. Their dogs are wonderful & we loved them all, especially shy Maggie! Their livestock are… read more
27 Mar 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Prewett & Saffron)
I need more stars to rate this couple!!! Saffron and Prewett were with us for the month of March to help with the lambing. We have been blessed with wonderful workawayers but this couple stands out as one of our best experiences. Give Prewett some tools and a basic idea of what you want built and he will do it and do it well. They handled some… read more
(Excellent)
3 Feb 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Konstantin)
Konstantin has helped us with such a wide variety of tasks - drywall repairs, feeding and watering the animals, help around the house, hauling and stacking hay, even training the dogs! He is easygoing, neat and has a great sense if humour. If you have a chance to host him grab it!
(Excellent)
4 Nov 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Nele & Moritz)
Nele and Moritz have just left after staying with us for 3 weeks. They will be VERY missed!!! We had an awesome time getting to know them. Hardworking, kind, flexible, innovative are just a few words to describe this terrific couple! They stayed with us during a time of very hard work where we "put the farm to bed for winter". Animals have to be… read more
(Excellent)
4 Nov 2018
Left by Workawayer (Julia) for host
I spent circa 3 weeks with Karen and Richard, during my travels. It was my very first workaway experience, I will never forget it. What to say, I'm still dreaming about the farm. They have so much love inside them, for the land, the animals, people around them and for each other, you cannot just feel but almost touch it.
During your stay you will… read more
During your stay you will… read more
29 Aug 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Julia)
Julia stayed with us for a month this summer. She is an absolute delight to host! We had many, many fascinating discussions around the dining table. Julia is very easygoing, respectful, hardworking and flexible. Her travel stories and experiences were a lot of fun to listen to.
Julia, we miss you but are enjoying your further travel experiences… read more
Julia, we miss you but are enjoying your further travel experiences… read more
(Excellent)
10 Jul 2018
Left by Workawayer (Lucie) for host
I spent one month here and am almost lost for words to describe how wonderful it was. Karen and Richard are the kindest and most generous hosts imaginable and also a lot of fun to be around. I was treated like part of the family from the first moment on; going on boat trips with them, on an outing to Upper Canada Village and many trips to the… read more
9 Jul 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Lucie)
We need a few more stars! Lucie stayed with us for the month of June. We cannot convey the joy that it was to host Lucie - she is the most positive person I have ever met. There was no job that was too dirty for her to take on (I had to secretly clean the overwinter chicken coop because I knew she would be right in there otherwise). We had a lot… read more
(Excellent)
29 May 2018
Left by Workawayer (Cassandra) for host
Karen and Richard were great hosts! We loved how knowledgeable they both were, and we learnt a lot about farming and caring for animals. We only stayed for two weeks, but we wished we had stayed longer!! I would recommend this beautiful place to anyone!
29 May 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Cassandra)
Cassie and Paul helped us for two weeks in May. They were such a joy to host. Very positive with a quick grasp of what needed to be done. They have such a wide variety to life skills which makes them very interesting to chat with. We highly recommend them!
(Excellent)
27 May 2018
Left by Workawayer (Jessica & Victor) for host
We absolutely loved our stay with Karen and Richard. They are very lovely people and extremely helpful. Even though we stayed for 5 weeks, it was still not long enough. There is so much to do and talk about. The animals are incredible and we loved each and every one of them. Helping out with the chores and lambing was such a great experience to… read more
7 May 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Jessica & Victor)
I need more stars! Jessica and Victor helped us on our farm for 5 weeks. They are incredible workers with great easy-going personalities. They quickly became part of the family. We loved every minute of their time with us and would welcome them back any time.
(Excellent)
1 Apr 2018
Left by Workawayer (Rowan) for host
I stayed with Richard and Karen for 2 weeks and found it very hard to leave. My room was really nice with plenty of space and light. They house some of the nicest dogs you will ever meet. There is hours and hours of exploring to be done in their 450 acres of fields and woodland. Richard and Karen are incredibly knowledgable but also interested in… read more
31 Mar 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Rowan)
Rowan was an absolute delight to host! He came to our farm for our first lambing season. His farm smarts, experience and kind gentle nature (along with a great sense of humor) brought us through with flying colours. Rowan is a hard worker in all conditions, very easy to host and a fascinating person to get to know.
Have a great adventure across… read more
Have a great adventure across… read more
(Excellent)
2 Feb 2018
Left by Workawayer (Svenja & Daniel) for host
Karen & Richard are awesome hosts, they are both very friendly, talkative and understanding. Unfortunately, we only stayed a very short period with them, I would have loved to help Karen more with baking and selling her bread & muffins at the Saturday's farmers market.
29 Jan 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Svenja & Daniel)
Svenja and Daniel only stayed with us a short while but we thoroughly enjoyed their company. They are indeed very friendly and open minded. Both of them speak English very well. We are only sorry that we didn't get to have them a little longer! Good luck on your adventures in Canada!
(Excellent)
11 Jun 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Alejandra)
Alejandra was an absolute delight to have in our home! She is so positive, happy and helpful and not afraid of any tasks - inside the house or outside. We enjoyed several Mexican meals and had great discussions. She is an accomplished flute player too! Thank you Alejandra for the real privilege of getting to know you. You are a very special lady… read more
(Excellent)
5 Jun 2017
Left by Workawayer (Davy & Sophie) for host
This was our first workaway and we were nervous on arrival but Richard and Karen made everything so welcoming and we had the best experience! The farm is located in the beautiful area of Plum Hollow, Richard has many great stories of the of the area and the history. You will learn a lot from both Richard and Karen as they are both great teachers… read more
31 May 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Davy & Sophie)
There should be a category of 5 (or more) smiley faces designed just for this couple! Davy and Sophie just left our farm after spending the month of May with us. We cannot say enough good things about this couple - they are incredibly easy to get along with, they work hard in difficult conditions (thunderstorms, black flies, mud, heat), they are… read more
(Excellent)
30 Apr 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Julie)
Julie spent three weeks with us in April. There is nothing that Julie cannot do and do well! She has a lot of experience with all kinds of animals. Julie patiently taught us how to care for our new flock of sheep including how to trim their hooves. Julie is also a great builder. She knows how to use all tools safely and if she is not sure she… read more
(Excellent)
