Small blueberry farm and family home on Vancouver Island, Canada

Details

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  Description

  Hello!
  We have a small blueberry farm in the Comox Valley. We have 40 hens, give or take, and usually have chicks on the go as well. We have fruit trees and a large hugelkulture garden we are currently redoing.
  
  
  We are looking for a one or two people who are willing to help with the farm chores and some meal prep. that we can't keep up with as we have a wonderfully busy life. We don't often ask for help with childcare (depends on workawayers preference) but it is essential that you enjoy being around kids or you won't enjoy your stay here :)
  
  The help we require right now is a mix of everything from winterizing, putting up fencing, tending chickens, helping with little projects in the house to more monotonous/hard work tasks like weeding and wheelbarrowing. Sometimes we will be working with you, other times you will be working on your own.
  
  We are about 15 minutes drive from town so having a car or bike are essential. We are located about 15 minutes by car from Courtenay, a city of 30,000 people. A personal vehicle is suggested if you want to explore Vancouver Island. If you don't bring a vehicle, there are limited bus systems from the highway to get you around and we have bikes for your use. We can not lend out our vehicles to farm helpers.
  
  Ideally, we would love someone to be here for 1 -2 weeks but if it is a good fit we are flexible with that.
  We eat a wide variety of foods with no diet restrictions. We prefer farm helpers that have a similar diet. Someone who is willing to help with cooking would be ideal and we will supply the ingredients. Sharing of cooking and clean up is expected here.
  
  We really want our helpers to enjoy their stay here and we are happy to suggest places to go and see. We have 25 hours of work per week per person and the helpers who are best suited to our home are those that also chip in when they see that it is needed - helping with meals etc..
  
  There is a 13 year old, an 8 year old and a 6 year old in the house so things are sometimes a little messy and loud but evenings are quiet and there is plenty of space for you to have your privacy.
  
  We live in a beautiful part of Canada. Mountains, ocean and farmland all around us. Courtenay and Comox are 15 minutes down the road. The ocean is a 5 minute drive or 40 minute walk away and Mt. Washington (skiing and hiking) is only 25 minutes from the house.
  
  We live in the countryside 10 minutes North of Courtenay but have the great fortune of living on a loop road with 5 acre properties so there is a wonderful community of people. Many people walk "the loop" which is 2.5km throughout the day and stop and chat along the way. We also have access to the private land behind us which you are welcome to walk or cycle on. There are trails leading to a number of beaches.
  
  Thank you for your interest in our farm. We hope to get the chance to meet you.
  
  p.s. The nature of farming is such that when we need people the most we are very busy outside and I don't always get a chance to reply to emails right away. Don't be alarmed if you don't hear from us right away. I get in touch with everyone when I can, I promise.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  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

  We are happy to help travellers with their English language skills while they are here. Helpers will also learn about chicken rearing, child rearing, blueberry farming, Hugelkulture gardening and sustainable living.

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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

  We ask our helpers for 25 hours of their time per week. What works best for our farm is help weekday mornings with us and if you have more hours to work you can do them as it suits you.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent

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  Accommodation

  You will have a beautiful room in the family home with a new bathroom next door. There is an art room/tv room/living room for helpers to use as a semi-private space.

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  What else ...

  We are about 15 minutes from the city of Courtenay/Comox. There are running trails to the beach from behind our house and Mt. Washington/Strathcona park is close by for hiking, skiing and biking.

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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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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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