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Help with building a homestead for our family using sustainable practices in Vermont, USA

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: No minimum

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    Homestead Build 2024
    This will be a very busy year of construction and homesteading!!

    - WATER: We have an intermittent water supply which currently requires a lot of regular maintenance and often freezes during the winter. We plan to dig out a new spring closer to the house, build a spring house, and re-plumb the house, and install some plumbing in the greenhouse.

    - HOUSE: We moved into our home before it was complete (back in 2019) and there are some sections which were hastily "thrown together" that now need to be done right. One 12'x12' section needs to be completely removed, framed, and re-installed. The north wall needs to have the 2nd floor rim joist installed and brought back into alignment. Additional cobbing inside and out are needed all over the house. Interior and exterior wood cladding needs to be installed on a few sections.

    - BARN: The barn is slowly coming along, but we need to finish the siding at the loft and a section on the east side. This will include hanging a few windows.

    - GARDEN, GREENHOUSE, & FOOD FOREST: Our greenhouse needs a new roof and we need to improve drainage around the structure. Additional fencing needs to be installed around the property increasing our garden spaces and orchard. If time allows we will build another barn/shed for housing our rabbits.

    - ROCKET MASS HEATER BUILD: We will be dismantling our J-tube and re-building it using newer techniques. We also will be completing the bench with some gorgeous Vermont Greenstone sourced on site. Shelves and niches will be carved into the cob as well.

    - OFF-GRID LIVING: Lots of daily chores including feeding goats, rabbits, & chickens, firewood, "normal" household chores like cooking & cleaning, etc.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Language practice
    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Farmstay help
    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

    Our family is constructing our home using natural building methods--timber framing, round wood framing, straw bale in-fill, cob, etc. Our off-grid homestead features sustainable living--solar power, passive solar home, greenhouse, food forest, hugelkulture, composting. Our lifestyle is sustainable by using locally-sourced building materials--trees, rocks, and clay from the build site, locally milled lumber, used windows and doors, used local slate for roofing. We encourage our volunteers to work with us in design and construction methods. We don't know everything, so we listen to the wealth of knowledge others have and implement solutions immediately.

  • Help

    Help

    General homestead tasks plus construction projects and gardening. The profile above details more of what's happening this spring/summer/fall.

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    French: Beginner

    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 guest room that sleeps 2. We also have a loft for an adventurous person. Bedding provided.

    We will provide meals. We have a privy as well as some composting toilets.

    We are still in THE PROCESS of building our home, so along with the ruggedness of our home it is also a construction zone.

    If this isn't your cup of tea, that's totally understandable. Check back in a few months to see where we're at.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    We are in the heart of the Green Mountains with the Appalachian Trail and Long Trail only a few minutes away sporting Vermont's second highest Peak--Killington Peak. Our property is 31 acres of heavily forested hills with streams, boulders, and plenty of wildlife. Hiking and exploring are strongly recommended. Skiing, snowboarding & snowshoeing available. There is an abundance of streams, lakes, mountains, and hills nearby. Historic sites. Covered bridges. Farmers markets. Museums.

  • 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

    We have both wired and wi-fi internet connections available. The guestroom is practically above the router so the connection is solid. The dining room table is rather large, near major light sources including huge windows, and also close to the router, so there's a really nice work space when it's not meal time.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    We have a couple different parking locations both quiet and near potable water. Some solar access. More solar access can be had with some tree trimming (we want to turn that area into a meadow anyway).

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    We have a lab mix and a Great Pyrenees mix who are both very friendly. They get along well with most dogs. We now have 2 cats as well.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week (usually around 20 hrs)

Host ref number: 946774366974

Feedback (3)



Feedback

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Accuracy of profile: (5.0)

Cultural exchange: (5.0)

Communication: (4.3)






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