Sumner

Travel information

I am currently

Description

I've been to Japan twice, returning to a former workaway farm in Seto. This trip is a little more touristy, but would love to help out with your project where I can! I lived on an organic farm for five years. Experienced in gardening, animals, chainsaws, woodworking, electrical, plumbing, wall work, and painting. I am currently a full time property manager and handyman.

Interests

Politics / Social justice

Sustainability

Sailing / Boating

Writing

Videography

Vegetarian or vegan

Plant care

Photography

Performing arts

Outdoor activities

Nature

Music

Mountain

Languages

Hitchhiking

History

Hiking

Gardening

LGBTQ

Farming

Events & social

Dancing

DIY & crafts

Cycling

Culture

Carpentry

Camping

Books

Architecture

Adventure sports

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Beginner
Japanese: Beginner

More details about my language interests
I grew up studying French in school and I've started dipping my toe back a bit leading up to this trip. I've been studying Japanese lightly for about a year now and I am doing two 30 minute sessions with tutors weekly leading up to the trip. So, hoping to be studying one to two hours a day. I just want to get as far as I can before going and I am interested in using Japanese as much as possible. Happy to help people with English. I work with war refugees here in Erie and enjoy helping them/quizzing them, etc. on English as we work.

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Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Eco Projects

Gardening

DIY and building projects

Art Projects

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Some knowledge of:  

Being an elderly companion

Teaching

Animal Care

Babysitting and creative play

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Hospitality/Tourism

Helping with Computers/ Internet

Languages

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Able to teach about:  

Life at a Farmstay

Helping around the house

General Maintenance

More details about your skills

I lived on a communal farm in southern Missouri for five years. I was not a full time gardener, but I spent several thousand hours throughout the seasons planting, transplanting, maintaining, harvesting, dealing with the weather and the bugs. We had about three acres under cultivation and a one hundred foot high tunnel. I was never the manager, but I worked with the managers during their planning sessions (I was more on the sales, marketing, and logistics side of things).

I also milked cows three mornings a week and helped moved pigs and cows. I don't prefer working with animals, but I can handle them just fine.

I've spent time on numerous other small farms in the US ranging from a week to a month.

I'm 5'11" and 165lbs. I'm quite capable physically and I enjoy tough jobs. While living on the farm I repaired carts, wheelbarrows, repaired bicycles, did tool maintenance, scythed, used a mower, and built fences. I do not have much tractor experience, but I can run one. I know the vegetable plants best... herbs, ornamentals, and trees I know less so.

Since leaving that farm I manage numerous houses and apartment complexes. I know quite a bit about plumbing, small electrical work, drywall repair and installation, painting, basic carpentry, flooring (tile, laminate, hardwood), heating systems, masonry, and some roof work (I do not enjoy ladder work, but I have been up on 32ft ladders a few times).

I'm not really a professional in any particular area, but I have a wide experience with my three years here in the city managing these properties and working with older and more experienced tradesmen.

I like clean and neat spaces, however I am not picky and can deal with messier situations! I am happy doing dishes, cleaning, and organizing. I can cook and help prep meals, but nothing fancy.

I have two nieces and one nephew and I get along very well with children. I enjoy teaching them about whatever I am doing (my niece Louisa loves when I play guitar and piano!).

Age

35

What else ...

I'm committed to starting a daily writing practice during my travels in Japan. I love playing cards, poker, trading card games, board games of all types.

I enjoy frisbee, outdoor games, and reading. Piano, guitar, drums, singing, jamming together. Excited to try new things as well!

I'm sober and I try to meditate everyday.

Oh, and if you are really curious about the communal farm I lived on for five years you can find my YouTube channel on the subject by searching "East Wind Community." It's way more info than you'd ever need to know about me.

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies

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  Special dietary requirements
  vegan