Enjoy and learn about rural living in New Hampshire, USA

Details

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  Description

  Our names are Bret and Kristin. After many years traveling, care taking, teaching abroad, and even a couple workaway experiences, we have moved back to the small town of Warner NH. We decided to return here for a handful of reasons including: more time in the natural environment, having open space to farm, helping our parents age in place, being able to live in line with our values.
  
  The family land we steward is relatively remote, mixed deciduous forest. Behind us is the "Mink Hills", 14 thousand continuous acres of forest, super fun to explore.
  
  When we first moved back here we spent many years living in some yurts in the woods, setting them up as a comfortable off-grid retreat, then we began building our straw bale passive home. While the bulk of the house is complete there are still many details to finish and lots of stone wall building and landscaping.
  
  In addition to that there are orchards and gardens to maintain, cordwood to cut and stack, fields to improve, animals to care for and the plethora of other tasks a small permaculture minded homestead tucked in the woods requires.
  
  One cool thing about our location feels remote, we are also only 2 miles from the village center of Warner, which is a pretty cool place with a coffee shop, independent bookstore, a small food cooperative, a community outdoor amphitheater, ice cream shop, a small bar, a public library, a couple museums, an elementary school, and more. Warner is also home to the Kearsarge mountain state park and the Warner river. There is a growing and thriving young agriculture community here and a lot of exciting cooperative projects. We feel it is a wonderful place for people that like the woods, quiet time and small communities.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  General Maintenance

  House sitting
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  You will have plenty of time to explore the woods, rivers, walking trails and nature around property. Near by with a car there are all sorts of outdoor enthusiasts adventures from kayaking to rock climbing, hiking to mountain biking. Also this is a great place to experience the peace and quiet reflection only found with time alone in the woods.
  
  You will get first hand experience in off grid living and systems. Campfires can be had most any night and depending on the season, lots of fresh produce from the gardens. We often fire up the cordwood masonry sauna for all to enjoy. In town there are free outdoor concerts, author series, workshops and museums with Abenaki and natural history.

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  Help

  The help will likely be outdoors and hands on, a lot depends on the season and timing but would likely be: gardening, weeding, brush clearing, animal chores, helping build stuff, moving wood, work with stone, painting, ext. The tasks will likely be varied and self directed after everyone is clear and comfortable. For an individual with particular interests or skills we'd be happy to explore what work and trade is available.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Intermediate

  This host offers a language exchange
  We don't get to practice our Spanish as much as we'd like too. We also taught English to refugees for awhile so happy to help others with their English if they want.
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  Accommodation

  Some times our off grid yurts are available. They are basic but comfortable with all the basics. Electricity is very limited and heat is by wood stove only. There is a small propane range and propane fridge guests can use. If there is someone already in the yurts then there is the possibility of camping available on the land and we have gear to lend.
  
  During your stay we look forward to sharing some meals, however mostly you will be on your own for meals with veggies from the garden available when in season and eggs provided by us.

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  What else ...

  We feel this works best for someone with their own vehicle. Unfortunately there is very little public transportation to our area. As the site is remote it has worked best in the past when a couple comes, either friends or partners, otherwise it can feel a little too isolated for some folks.
  
  Also with a car we are an hour from the white mountains and hour and a half from the seacoast, fun to explore!

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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

  No hook ups on site but you could camp with your camper van

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  Can possibly accept pets

  We have a dog and so do my parents who live near by. So if you have a dog it would probably only work if you trusted them off leash and they should get along well with other dogs. Our dog Rina is a rescue and while lovely to us she thinks she is a real Alpha and can be a bully. Generally she works it out if humans stay out of the way but it can be stressful. So with that all said if your game to give it a try so are we but ya never know with dogs.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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