Experience off-grid village life with our organic homestead community in Ontario, Canada

Details

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  Description

  We are a village of separate households of single people and families scattered over 100 hilly wooded acres. We homestead in varying degrees, living off-grid using some solar electricity and heating with wood. We grow organically much of our fruits and vegetables; some eggs and meat. We’ve spent 50 years learning how to be good neighbours, which has been a worthwhile process.
  
  Most of our children were home birthed and many have been homeschooled; ages 2 years to 20. Weekly ecstatic dance nights, swimming in our pond, trampolining, tobogganing, snowshoeing, sauna-ing, and potlucks are some of the things we do for fun. We all share a love of nature and the arts.
  
  A multi-generational community, we are all involved with the surrounding and supportive rural community in varying degrees. We are avid gardeners and homesteaders, with an aim to live harmoniously with the land here.
  
  You will be most welcome if you:
  -like working and contributing to the collective
  -are kind and considerate towards others
  -are eager to learn,
  -respect and see some value in our way of living,
  -are flexible and reasonably adaptable (not too attached to doing a particular type of work),
  -not easily bothered or bored by monotonous tasks (& don't need constant stimulation)
  -can follow instructions without arguing every step of the way
  -want to challenge yourself and step out of your comfort zone both physically and mentally.
  -join us in trying to live lightly on the earth (consciously try to reduce your waste, energy use, etc.)

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Babysitting and creative play

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  You would get to be part of a community with a variety of people of different ages/experience levels/interests to interact with and learn from. We believe in connecting with the land, and encourage you to do so as well. This is a lovely part of the earth, with hilltop views, forest, streams, and grassy pastures filled with medicinal plants. Some of what we have to teach includes: organic growing practices, composting, humanure composting, sustainable forestry, orchard care, grafting, food preservation, fermenting, keeping bees, maple syruping, baking with a cob oven, growing and using natural dyes, and having a light footprint on the land.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  The work we need help with changes with the season. In the early spring (February and March) we need help with maple syruping, chopping and stacking wood, starting seedlings & pruning fruit trees. In April and early May, we need help preparing garden beds, and weeding. In late May-July, we need help planting and watering gardens and in August-October we need help harvesting and putting our gardens "to bed" for the winter as well as cutting and stacking firewood. Throughout the year we need help caring for animals, maintaining buildings, cutting firewood, preserving food, clearing walking trails, driveway maintenance, caring for children, and helping with various communal projects.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Ukrainian: Fluent
  French: Intermediate

  This host offers a language exchange
  This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
  You can contact them directly for more information.
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  Accommodation

  We have lovely, secluded spaces for you to set up a tent or trailer. We can provide a tent/mattress/bedding if needed. Throughout the season there may be indoor residences that become available. These would be shared accommodation in log/wooden cabins - most with outhouses, and no running water.
  
  Your host is responsible for feeding you (eg: if you work with someone for the day, they would feed you three meals). Foods made here tend to be omnivore fare - usually organic, mostly home grown/raised, including lots of yummy fermented creations (sauerkraut, kimchi and home brewed mead and cider are regular accoutrements to the meal).

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  What else ...

  Transportation to us can be challenging! Best is if you have a car. Hitch-hiking is also possible. Often there are people coming and going to urban areas who can give you a lift. We will keep our ear out for rides if we know you are coming.
  
  There is no public transportation that will take you directly to the farm. You can arrange a ride with us from one of the closest bus drop-offs. A gas contribution ($10-$20) is encouraged.
  
  Public transit options:
  There may be a bus from Toronto to Algonquin park in the warmer months, where we may be able to pick you up:
  . There is a bus from Ottawa to Pembroke, which is the closest stop to us (but still and hour away - we would need to come and get 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

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  At the moment it would be more challenging for us to accept someone with a pet...

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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