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Help us around the farm or with our kids, and explore beautiful area on Vancouver Island, Canada

  • Favourited 78 times
  • Last activity: 6 Mar 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least 1 month

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    Our farm sits in a beautiful area of Vancouver Island. We are centrally located so you can go anywhere on the island from here with relative ease. We have a large area for a garden and a large barn and lots of space with our beloved animals. We try to eat as best we can and grow what we can the best way we can. We are not certified organic but we don't spray noxious chemicals. we are slowly becoming more self sufficient with our farm with our rain water harvesting, manure and composting, and going to be setting up solar or wind electricity.
    our home is large and inviting with a large deck with out door kitchen overlooking our garden and main farmyard. We love to preserve our harvests and will gladly teach others how to can and dry produce, make cheese and bread, etc.
    Farmer Mike is a software developer and he works from home. His hobbies include brewing small scale wine and beer and computer stuff and building things with his 3d printer.
    Farmer Shannon is a fiber artist/mom/jane of all trades who primarily runs the farm and plans the projects We are currently working on several building projects along with expanding our garden to eventually provide more healthy food . We raise animals of all sorts, Goats pigs, chickens, pigs, ducks and geese and try to use everything we can. We work along side our children as we feel its important to know a good days work and where their food comes from so be prepared to have a couple of youngsters working along side us most days
    We have three kids, aged 16, 12, and soon to be 8 and another on the way! . One indoor dog and one indoor cat.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Farmstay help
    Babysitting and creative play
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    We love learning about the different cultures we have had stay here from around the world!! We love to share everything we have and know with others. there is a lot of interesting history in our community with first nations and exploration that we are excited to share.

  • Projects involving children

    Projects involving children

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

  • Help

    Help

    Our upcoming big projects include building an outdoor shower, , garden beds, a lean to for the barn, painting the farm buildings, , some fencing, more painting, and beating back the blackberry brambles among animal care and general garden stuff. Our regular day to day activities include milking the cow, the sheep and the goats, egg collection and washing, general farm animal care and gardening tasks such as weeding, harvesting planting and watering. You would have the chance to learn how to grow vegetables, hatch chicks, flowers, raise and train the animals, milk goats and the cow along with making cheese, butter, and yogurt with the milk! Baking, hockey, knitting and spinning are all common events here. We are also looking for those who are good with kids.

    Ideally we are welcoming longer term workawayers (three weeks plus) and would love to discuss a very long term arrangement (several months). We have lots of fun adventures planned for summer!!

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent

    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.

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    We have a cozy camping trailer available for your personal space with shower use inside the house .
    Its great for close friends or a couple or small family. up to 4 people will be comfortable there although there has been more (not by my choice it was theirs I swear ha haha) . There is also plenty of room for tents during the summer or a spot to bring your own small trailer/RV (23 feet max please). We have Wifi internet connection with no data cap
    Usually We would all participate in meal prep or cleanup and our goal is to try to eat mostly the food we grow/make here. We even make our own pasta! Ideally, most evening meals will be eaten together unless meal time is missed or other arrangements are made. We frequently go on adventures and would love to have you join us.We will welcome you to our home like our own and love to share in this immersive experience! Ideally we are looking for longer term ( 3 plus weeks and onwards ) but are flexible. Please note we are non smoking/drug use at any time.
    COVID UPDATES
    Yes covid still sucks Sorry I know its sucky but we are all doing our best!!. And its flu season yay! That being said :
    We are all fully vaccinated (YAY!) and do require it for our farm stays.
    we are requiring stays to have a negative Rapid antigen test result before coming to our farm/At arrival to our farm even if you are coming from the next town over. We realize this is slightly different than the border rules and you may have already tested on entry into the country but We have an immunocompromised child. If you are sick or starting to feel unwell, please delay your arrival we are very flexible in our arrival dates especially for situations such as these.

    -in accordance with provincial regulation , we are considered as one whole household so unfortunately, we cannot allow outside visitors coming in /going to visit other people in restaurants/pubs/bars//households, etc at this time during your stay. Please consider we have someone living here at higher risk.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    Our farm is located right near a lake that hosts fishing, paddling and other water sports and we are a short distance from the ocean and gorgeous trails. theres lots of hiking around. We also do lots of adventures on the weekends around the island, museums, different provincial parks, local community events, etc. We have bikes, kayaks, fishing gear, and some camping gear to borrow! The area offers lots to do in your spare time from hiking to cave exploration to the later summer fairs/community events, and floating down the nearby river. Bicycles are available for your use to explore and we could help arrange with getting elsewhere.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    Since Mike works from home we have the best internet thats available in Canada.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    We can accomodate rigs up to 23 ish feet. There s some wiggle room here. Theres power water and sewer access

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

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

Host ref number: 937211796455

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Accuracy of profile: (5.0)

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