Join us and help out with micro-farming and pet care in Leverett, MA, USA

Infos

• 

  Description

  We've moved from Leverett MA to Claremont NH!
  
  We are both educators, open minded, in our 30s. We like to host guests, hold communal dinners, explore hikes in the area, and play board games. Our cat Gwen enjoys finding the sunny spot on the couch, running around the house like a maniac, and cuddles. Our rabbit Senator Bunny Sanders enjoys hopping around the house in search of fuzzy socks, getting treats, and being adorable. Herman the axolotl likes eating worms and smiling.
  
  We've just moved to Cam's parents' land where we are working together to build our farm. We have 15+ laying hens year round and raise meat turkeys and chickens in the summers. We also have a herd of goats (5 currently) and sometimes raise pigs as well. You can find more info on our farm if you search for Dancing Bear Farm Claremont NH.
  
  Fall Tasks - help move meat birds on pasture, move goat fencing, spread wood chips around newly planted trees, establish new gardens, harvest in gardens and greenhouses, learn to process chickens and turkeys (October and November), clearing brush, trail maintenance
  
  Winter Tasks - help with daily animal chores, plant and harvest in the greenhouse, house work (interior painting), learn how to reupholster furniture, craft, bake bread, make yogurt, trail maintenance, tool care
  
  Spring Tasks - help move meat birds on pasture, move goat fencing, spread wood chips around newly planted trees, mowing, planting, clearing brush
  
  Summer Tasks - help move meat birds on pasture, move goat fencing, harvest in gardens and greenhouses, learn to process chickens, weeding, and much much more
  
  The house is in a rural area but only a 10 minute drive from Claremont center. We have a 43 acre farm with hayfields, forest, a fire pit, garden, views of Mt. Sunapee, and a pond. We have bikes to borrow to explore but the area is quite hilly.
  
  We are a 3 minute drive/30 minute walk from the Claremont Train Station for the Amtrak Vermonter train:

• 

  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Aide avec des éco-projets

  Jardinage

  Bricolage et construction

  S’occuper des animaux

  Aide dans une ferme

  Cuisine/repas pour la famille

  Aide à la maison

  Entretien général
• 

  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  This help exchange experience will give you the flexibility to explore the area and dive deep into local culture and nature, while getting hands on experience gardening, caring for animals, and foraging.
  
  We can also offer a few bonuses to hopefully add to your experience:
  
  -The hours/schedule are flexible to give you a chance to explore the area or work on personal projects
  
  -Access to the pottery studio with wheel and kiln and supplies. I can teach the basics! (with our move this is not yet fully set up, though hand building is always available)
  
  - Learn how to vermicompost (composting with worms to build soil biology)
  
  - Learn how to brew Kombucha, make sourdough, and ferment yogurt
  
  -A car will not be provided, but we can arrange to drive you places when we are available and/or can pick up any supplies you need. If you have a drivers license in the states you might have an opportunity to borrow the car if all works out.

• 

  Aide

  The help:
  
  - Gardening: Help maintain the kitchen garden in season, plant berry bushes, trees, etc. We are open to any and all ideas! You are welcome to any of the food you help grow. We practice regenerative no-till methods with a permaculture influence.
  
  - Worm composting: feed the worms and harvest vermicompost
  
  - House chores: Help out with shared cleaning, tidying, lawn care, etc. tasks as needed
  
  - Pet Care: help with daily care for our cat, rabbit, axolotl, chickens, and goats.
  
  - Greenhouse tasks: watering, seeding, transplanting, managing worm bins
  
  We are looking for someone that is comfortable with animals, independent, a good communicator, and reliable.
  
  You won't be asked to help more than 25 hours/week. Hours are very flexible. A mix of recurring daily tasks, independent tasks list, and group projects. We usually come up with a list of things that could get done and leave it to you to decide what you find interesting! Flexible time off.
  
  We both work during the week so there will be time that you are here working alone. During this time alone we have a list of independent tasks you could work on, or you could take time to explore the area or work on your own projects.
  
  We sometimes could use housesitting/pet care while we are away.
  
  If this is the kind of thing you are looking for, send us a message with a bit about yourself and why you think you'd be a good fit!

• 

  Langues

  Langues parlées
  Anglais: Courant

  Cet hôte propose un échange linguistique
  Especially interested in practicing/relearning Spanish!
• 

  Hébergement

  Private room in a house with a comfortable full size futon. Access to shared bathroom, kitchen, and common areas. Relax in the living room, borrow one of our many books, or watch TV/movies (we have Netflix). You will be able to use the WiFi and indoor Washer/Dryer.
  
  The bedroom is furnished with a comfortable full sized futon, desk, and mirror. We provide sheets, pillowcases, towels, and blankets. Extra shampoo/soap is also available.
  
  When not in guest use the room also doubles as a pottery studio. There may be times that we will ask to enter to get something from the room, but we always will check in with you first! You will have shared access to the bathroom, living spaces, kitchen, and outdoor areas. We do not have A/C in the summer, just fans.
  
  Cam's parents live across the field from us, and we all run the farm together. There may be times that we will all work together or you might want to work on a specific task with them (Cam's dad Ken does most of the carpentry, and his mom Mary does most of the vegetable gardening). Cam has a full time job teaching 4th grade in town so does not work on the farm during the day. We expect workawayers to be respectful of our home and to be responsible for cleaning up after yourself.
  
  On shared work days we also often share meals. We welcome workawayers to help prepare any meals, and we will purchase the ingredients requested if you have a recipe in mind!
  
  There are also some times where you will prepare your own meals, often lunch and breakfast - ingredients will be provided (flour, spices, oatmeal, cereal, rice, oil, milk, fruit, eggs, baking ingredients, etc.) We will ask you for any food/ingredient requests before you arrive!
  
  We eat meat but welcome vegetarians/vegans, especially if you can help us grow our repertoire of vegan dishes!
  
  Cameron has a citrus allergy so we don’t cook with citrus (limes, lemon, grapefruit), but it isn’t serious enough that we can’t have any citrus in the house so you are welcome to have some and cook with it yourself. Other than that we don’t have any dietary restrictions beyond that we’re trying to move more away from processed foods and non-local meat.
  
  You are welcome to use the kitchen at all times. You are also welcome to harvest any food from the garden or land. We also often have kombucha, microgreens, and mushrooms to share. Sometimes homemade yogurt and sourdough.
  
  There is parking so you are welcome to bring your own car. If you don't have a car we can arrange to drive you places when available and/or can pick up any supplies you need.

• 

  Autres infos...

  We are close to the Connecticut river and you are welcome to borrow a canoe or kayak during your time off. Claremont center has a great Spice Shop! There are many farm stands nearby with excellent produce in season. We have bicycles you can borrow. We are new to the area so will be learning about what to do alongside you!

• 

  Informations complémentaires

  • 

    Accès Internet

  • 

    Accès Internet limité

  • 

    Nous avons des animaux

  • 

    Nous sommes fumeurs

  • 

    Familles bienvenues

• 

  Possibilité d’accueillir les digital nomads

  We have a high speed internet connection. Your private room has a desk and there are also shared work areas in the living room and outdoor picnic area (although the wifi doesn't always cooperate outside) Plenty of coffee & tea to share!

• 

  Espace pour garer des vans

  Campervans can be parked up the hill where you will have access to a toilet and potable water, but no RV hookups

• 

  Possibilité d'accueillir les animaux

  We can sometimes accept a well-behaved pet, especially for shorter stays. Must be safe with cats, rabbits, and poultry

• 

  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Deux

• 

  Nombre d'heures attendues

  flexible hours but typically 25/week

Feedback (6)