Small off-grid wilderness farm and foraging business in Yellowknife , Canada's Northwest Territories

Details

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  Description

  Established in 2010 this is a small 12-acre developing farm located 30 kms from the city of Yellowknife, NT. We operate a wildcrafting business, learning Centre, small market gardens and also offer consulting services. The entire farm is run via solar power and located in the boreal forest. Herbs and veggies are grown on site while wild mushrooms, berries and wild herbs are foraged in the surrounding wilderness. Many of the products harvested on site are processed and dried in an onsite timber frame herb drying barn. There are two large dogs, and one parrot on site, as well as quail and soon chickens! In addition to foraging and growing local food, we are also a learning centre and offer training and workshops to others about sustainable foraging, harvesting wild foods, growing local food, food preservation, and conduct research on traditional indigenous ethnobotany. Folks come to our place not only to learn but also to support our local food security and sustainable foraging initiatives.
  The market garden aspect of the farm is a new operation and the gardens although small are productive. In the coming years there are plans to construct 200 sq ft of greenhouses and an additional garden plots.
  This is a business with a hard-working team of dedicated staff, volunteers, students, as well as a family of three Amy, Ian and daughter Wren. Amy is the founder and Ian is a timberframer/carpenter
  
  in Summer 2023 there are plans to continue developing the 12 acres on our small farm. There will be ongoing construction projects to build new buildings, painting, landscaping and developing new market garden plots. We have a young child so help with childcare or construction in addition to foraging and maintaining the small gardens are potential help we might be looking for. With foraged products we then manufacture wild herbal teas, soaps, candles, and person care products so there is lots of packaging and labelling to be done too!

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Teaching

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Babysitting and creative play

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Travelers will gain experience living and working in a small off-grid farm and foraging business nestled in the sub arctic wilderness of the Northwest Territories. We have a unique business like no other. Our region is a wild landscape filled with wonderful places to hike and explore, waterfalls, endless lakes for hunting and fishing and foraging. The nearby city of Yellowknife has a population of 20 thousand. There are annual festivals in the summer including Folk on the Rocks, and a weekly farmers market. The nearby city has all of the amenities of a small frontier town with a long history of mining.
  
  Where the farm is located you can jump in fresh water lakes, and hike for hours on end. We are nature lovers who are excited to share our knowledge of outdoor living, foraging for wild foods, baking, self sufficiency, medicine making, crafts such as beading, making baskets, fishing, canoeing, camping, wilderness survival skills, wild fermentation, and enjoying campfires.

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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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  Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage

  This host offers accommodation and payment.

  Host has indicated that they will pay at least the minimum hourly wage of their country for each hour worked and that accommodation will also be provided. They are asking for help with a business or business activity. Contact the host directly via the site messenger for more information and details about the wage provided. Any arrangements should be agreed in advance with your host.

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  Help

  For summer 2024 we are only accepting VOLUNTEERS not paid workawayers. we will gladly accept volunteers and provide all food and lodging during your stay.
  
  
  Our project is a multifaceted business - on our farm and business we have small market gardens and grow food, we forage for wild herbs, berries and mushrooms, we manufacture products with what we grow and forage, we operate an online retail store and ship our products across the globe, we offer training and mentoring via our learning centre to others wanting to learn more about sustainable foraging in the north, and for those wishing to learn more about growing local food via market gardens, some come to learn about making medicines, off-grid living skills and wild foods, we are actively involved in research on ethnobotany via consulting services too. We travel to remote northern communities to teach workshops on the land, we have school groups and others come to the farm for foraging walks and workshops. There are many opportunities to learn and be involved in the various projects that are ongoing here.
  
  We especially need help with the day to day operations on the farm which include foraging on the land for wild herbs berries and mushrooms, maintaining and caring for the small gardens(watering, weeding, moving soil, building fences, harvesting veggies), we need assistance with the packaging, labelling and manufacturing of products, cleaning, help with the ongoing developments on our young farm such as construction related activities (painting and carpentry as we are in the process of building structures on the farm). Expertise such as professional photography, website development would also be an asset. We have a young child so help with childcare is also something we may consider.
  Much of the work we do is outdoors so please be prepared for rain or sun and rarely snow! The work we do involves hiking in the wilderness carrying backpacks and using small hand tools and our hands everyday.
  
  Please note that where we live it is buggy! There are loads of mosquitos and black flies and some may not enjoy this experience. If you have allergies to insects, pollen, or bees, are nervous around dogs of being in the wilderness than this opportunity may not be for you.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  French: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  We are fluent in english and one of us is also fluent in french
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  Accommodation

  Workers are offered off-grid accommodation. We have several options available depending on how many volunteers and workaways we have on staff at a given time. We have a 28 ft travel trailer which includes running water, electricity (solar power), multiple sleeping quarters including one queen and one single bed, couch and seating areas. Fridge and freezer, storage, over/stove and sink, radio, WIFI. We also have a small camper that has a single bed, stove top/range (no oven), running water, sink and kitchen table with storage for belongings. We also have tents if one wants to experience camping in the great outdoors! There is an outhouse with a composting toilet, as well as flush toilets inside the main building, hot showers, and laundry facilities. The Trailer depicted in the images provided on the profile is one of our larger 28 foot trailers. There is also space to set up your own personal camper if you own one and need space to park!

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  What else ...

  Workers will have full access to a wide range of fresh herbs and veggies from the gardens. Food staples are provided such as pasta, bread, tea, cereals, fruit, dairy and other groceries etc.
  Workawayers are expected to prepare their own meals although we often offer group family dinners or campfire cookouts. If you are not able to prepare your own meals and cook than this farm is not a suitable opportunity.
  
  Our farm is located a 30–40-minute drive from the city of Yellowknife. The nearest airport is in Yellowknife and we offer pickup and drop off at the airport for arrivals and departures.
  
  If you require transportation to the city for errands you will need to carpool with the owners of the farm when they are in town.
  
  If workerawayers have their own vehicle, it will allow you more freedom to explore nearby trails and parks.
  Our location is somewhat remote and it is peaceful and quiet. Our farm is not a good fit for a traveler seeking a highly social atmosphere.
  
  The farm is best suited for an individual who is comfortable in quiet places with minimal humans visiting and those that enjoy spending time outdoors on the land and exploring wild places. There may be opportunities for helpers to participate in active research in other remote communities in the north through our existing operations. We frequently travel to other northern communities conducting research and training.

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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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  Can host digital nomads

  We have access to WIFI here on site but it can be limited at times. there is space in the accommodations for one to set up a personal laptop and we have access to printers in our offices.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  We have plenty of space for workawayers if you would prefer to bring your own personal accommodations such as a trailer or camper as well as tents.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  Please email us and we can discuss!

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  Hours expected

  Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 5 pm

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