Experience life on a real working cattle ranch in Alberta, Canada

Details

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  Description

  Please read our full profile before sending us a message.
  
  We are a hard working family and operate a cattle ranch in Alberta where we do as much as possible horseback. Horse experience is welcome, but certainly not a must. Many things we do, does not involve riding.
  
  We enjoy meeting new people and we have had many great helpers over the last 18 years from all over the world. Due to the environment, we do require strong understanding and speaking skills of the English language. However, it doesn’t need to be perfect or be your first language.
  
  We currently have a last minute spot for the right person for up to 3 weeks. It will be short term due to limitation of winter accommodation. We don’t know yet what the availability is for 2026 until the end 2025/early 2026. We can currently only accommodate 1 helper or a couple who can share the accommodation.
  
  Due to the volume of messages I cannot always reply to every message.
  Please tell something about yourself and why you think you would fit in here.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Light gardening

  Creative DIY projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  Light 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

  Learn about life on a working cattle ranch.

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  Help

  You will be helping out with a little bit of everything: feeding horses, cleaning a few paddocks, cleaning the barn, help around the house, gardening, painting, mowing, fencing, picking weeds, taking care of our pets (cats, dogs) and anything that comes up.
  
  If interested, there will also be plenty of opportunity to come ride with us and move cows, check herds etc. This is not a must and is not part of the “volunteer hours”. How often or who you ride will depends on how well you ride. We won’t let you ride any horses you are not ready for. We are not the place if you are looking for a place to learn to ride. We usually have a job to do, so being able to keep up by having a good seat and basic riding skills (comfortable at walk/trot/canter, able to catch, halter and tack up a horse) is a must. From there, we can teach you more while getting the job done.
  
  There is also plenty of opportunity to drive tractor/machinery if that is what you like to do.
  
  I do expect minor help in the house, nothing major, just common sense things like doing dishes (counter is full of dishes and I’m busy, please do them and don’t walk away from them), setting the table for supper etc. when joining for a meal at the house. I also expect that you keep your bathroom and accommodation you are staying in clean and do a good move out clean up before you leave.
  
  You will experience and get insight in the life on a real working ranch which is unique and rewarding. Interest in working ranch life is must, it’s a way of life and a never ending job. It requires dedication, hard work and a love for animals and the outdoors.
  
  We are looking for someone who can work independently and doesn't need to be told all the time (for example: sweep the barn when you notice it is dirty instead of us asking you to sweep the barn every time). We are a family ranch, it's just us working here, and social life is low. We are easy going, and we love helpers who want to learn and want to be involved, want to be out there with us and have a “can do” and "what can I help with" attitude.
  
  Keep in mind that based on our experience it takes on average minimum 2-3 weeks to get settled in and get to know each other. Therefore longer term has our preference. However once in a while we will have a short term window available. Longer term helpers will also have more opportunities and gain more privileges than short term. Some will even get to rope a few calves at one of our brandings!
  
  For meals: food is provided, but most of the time you will be preparing breakfast for yourself. Lunch/dinner will be sometimes for yourself and also often join our family.
  
  Note: This is not a guest ranch.
  - If your only interest is to ride and relax, or your main concern is how often you get to ride, I would recommend paying for a vacation on a guest ranch.
  - If you really like the cowboy image and want to be a cowboy but are not actually interested in cowboy stuff and share a love for livestock, this is not the place either.
  - If you need to be patted on the back all the time, I would recommend going to a riding school of some sort.
  - If you think you know a lot, before you come here be prepared to open up your mind and feel like a beginner again. We have no interest in teaching helpers that are not ready for a change to the way things they have done/learned.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent
  Dutch: Fluent
  German: Beginner

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  Accommodation

  Usually RV or cabin, in the house during the winter if there is availability.

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  What else ...

  We live close to a small town, we have had helpers who liked going to church on Sunday. We are more than happy to connect you with people there. We do have a bicycle available as well if you want to go to town. Elk Island national park is about 20 min drive from here, and Blackfoot Provincial park is about 10 min from here. We live about 50min from Edmonton. During the summer there are lots of rodeos in the area.
  
  Public transport is pretty much non existent, so if you want to go out and see things, you might want to either rent a car or buy one, or do your sightseeing before/after you come to our place. We are very busy, so we just don't have time to drive someone around.
  
  We do pick up/drop off from the airport or bus station. However, this has to be arranged ahead of time and day/time be confirmed with us (we try to tie it in with other errands). You can also arrange pick up/drop off with the taxi service in town .
  
  No smoking/vaping/drugs permitted.

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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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  My animals / pets

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