Join us on our journey towards sustainable living in our homestead in the Cowichan Valley, Canada

Detalles

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  Descripción

  We are Michael and Rachel, and we’re thrilled to invite you to experience life on our small, private acreage nestled in the woods of Vancouver Island. We acknowledge our fortune to live and work on the traditional and unceded territory of the Quw'utsun (Cowichan) people, whose rich history and stewardship of the land continually inspire and guide us. Michael, with a background in social services aiding those experiencing homelessness, mental health issues, and addiction, is currently pursuing a degree in fine arts and honing his skills as a silversmith and jewelry artist. Rachel works in healthcare and is in the process of becoming certified to run mindfulness groups. Our family also includes our highly trained and adventurous German Shepherd/Roughcoat Collie, Eli, and Brio, a pet rabbit we rescued after it was abandoned by the forest near our property. We enjoy winding down in the evenings with a walk on the nearby trails, the occasional board games and relaxing in our outdoor hot tub.
  
  At our homestead in the Cowichan Valley, we are on a journey towards more sustainable living. While we are not homesteading experts, we are committed to enhancing our skills in this area. Our dream is an ongoing project of developing a thriving garden with hugelkultur mounds and raised beds, where we experiment with organic practices and permaculture principles. We are also setting up a drip irrigation system, learning and learning how to optimize our water usage. We are eager to meet Workawayers who are interested in joining us to cultivate a more sustainable way of living.

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  Tipos de ayuda y oportunidades de aprendizaje

  Proyectos artísticos

  Jardinería

  Construcción y bricolaje

  Ayuda en una granja

  Cocinar para toda la familia

  Ayuda doméstica

  Mantenimiento general
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  Intereses

  

  Vegetariano o vegano

  

  Tecnología

  

  Sostenibilidad

  

  Mascotas

  

  Cultura

  

  Autodesarrollo

  

  Agricultura

  

  Trabajo de caridad

  

  Astronomía

  

  Cuidado de plantas

  

  Arte y diseño

  

  Bricolaje y manualidades

  

  Fotografía

  

  Jardinería

  

  Artes escénicas

  

  Dibujo y pintura

  

  Animales

  

  Playa

  

  Fitness

  

  Yoga / bienestar

  

  Naturaleza

  

  Acampada

  

  Montaña

  

  Actividades al aire libre

  

  Senderismo

  

  Ciclismo
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  Intercambio cultural y oportunidades de aprendizaje

  Living on Vancouver Island offers a wealth of cultural experiences and outdoor adventures that embody the essence of the Pacific Northwest. The Cowichan Valley, with its rich soil and favourable climate, supports a diverse range of agricultural activities. Here, you can engage in foraging for local plants and mushrooms, especially during the lush spring and fall seasons. Duncan, the nearest town, hosts one of the largest farmers' markets on the island.
  
  As active members of the local arts council, we are very involved in the vibrant cultural scene of the Cowichan Valley. There are frequent opportunities to attend workshops, visit galleries, and participate in community events. The valley’s lively festival circuit features everything from workshops led by indigenous elders and knowledge keepers to contemporary music and food festivals.

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  Ayuda

  *** Note for winter months: There may not be as much to do in the garden during winter months but we may consider having someone to help with carpentry projects, art studio organization, General help around the house and cooking ***
  
  Gardening and Permaculture: Assistance with maintaining and expanding our garden. This includes working on hugelkultur mounds, managing raised beds, and helping to establish a drip irrigation system.
  
  General Yard Maintenance: Regular maintenance tasks such as weeding, pruning, composting, and general landscaping to improve and maintain the health of our garden and property.
  
  Carpentry: We are hoping to build a wood shed and a small shelter for our generator along with other similar projects.
  
  Art and Craft Projects: I am currently working on a creative studio space but I need help with setting up and organizing the space. There may be possibilities to participate in various art projects, which may include jewelry making and other creative tasks.
  
  Trail Building: Assistance with designing and clearing a small trail around our property for easier access and recreational use.
  
  Household Assistance: Help around the house including vacuuming, assisting with meal preparation, and possibly batch cooking for the week.
  
  Companion and Cultural Exchange: Joining in outdoor activities such as hiking, foraging, and exploring local culture and arts. Engaging with us in board games and cultural discussions.
  
  Ideal Skillsets Needed:
  
  Gardening Knowledge: Familiarity with organic gardening practices and permaculture principles.
  
  Physical Fitness: Ability to handle physical tasks related to gardening, trail building, and general yard maintenance.
  
  Carpentry: Basic skills and knowledge of tools would be an asset
  
  Artistic Interest: A interest in arts and crafts, with any artistic skills being a bonus.
  
  Culinary Ability: Basic cooking and cleaning skills, with a willingness to assist in meal preparation and household chores.
  
  Cultural Openness: Enthusiasm for cultural exchange and enjoying outdoor activities, with a comfort around dogs as you'll spend time with our German Shepherd, Eli.
  
  Interpersonal Skills: Open minded, strong communication abilities and empathy are crucial for a positive shared living environment. Adaptability and respect for others’ space and boundaries will help ensure a harmonious experience for everyone involved.
  
  Work Schedule: 5 hours of help per day, Monday through Friday, with flexibility in scheduling to allow personal time for exploring and relaxation.

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  Idiomas hablados

  Inglés: Fluido
  Francés: Intermedio

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  Alojamiento

  Workawayers will be accommodated in a private room on the top floor of our spacious home, ensuring both comfort and privacy. The room is well-furnished with a comfortable bed, ample storage for personal belongings, and large windows that offer views of the surrounding forest. Adjacent to the room is a private bathroom, equipped with all essential amenities. Our home is also equipped with Wi-Fi. Additionally, you will have access to our gym, provided you contribute to its upkeep and cleaning. You can also enjoy our outdoor hot tub, operational most of the year except during the summer months, which provides a relaxing way to unwind after a day’s activities.
  
  Regarding meals, Workawayers are expected to participate in the preparation of nutritious, primarily organic meals. While breakfast and lunch will be self-served, dinner preparation is a shared responsibility. Although not all dinners need to be prepared by Workawayers, involvement in batch cooking for the week may be part of your working hours. We will provide the essential groceries and we appreciate input on the weekly shopping list. This arrangement not only supports learning and sharing culinary skills but also ensures that all dietary preferences are respected. Our diet is primarily plant-based, focusing on vegetables and fish, with meat only occasionally included.
  
  We very rarely drink alcohol, however, we appreciate that enjoying an occasional drink can be part of experiencing the local culture, we ask that any alcohol consumption on our property be undertaken responsibly and with consideration for all household members. Please note that we do not permit smoking, vaping, or the use of cannabis on the premises.

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  Algo más...

  In your time off, there is much to explore in and around our homestead in the Cowichan Valley. You can take advantage of the local hiking trails through majestic old-growth forests, visit the nearby beaches for kayaking or simply relaxing by the ocean, and experience the vibrant arts scene at community galleries and workshops. Public transportation is accessible, with a bus stop within 20 minutes walk from the property, providing routes into Duncan, the closest town. For those who prefer cycling, if available we can provide bikes that can be used to explore the local area. We Value the fresh perspectives and cultural exchanges that each new guest brings. We live a mindful, environmentally conscious lifestyle and appreciate those who respect our home and the nature surrounding it.

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  Un poco más de información

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    Acceso a Internet

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    Acceso a Internet limitado

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    Tenemos animales

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    Somos fumadores

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    Puede alojar familias

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  Espacio para aparcar autocaravanas

  We have a very large driveway where someone could easily park their van.

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  ¿Cuántos voluntarios puedes hospedar?

  Uno

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