Experience life with a local family in New Brunswick, Canada

Details

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  Description

  We are a family of four with 2 adult children who work full-time. We have a lovely hobby farm with 2 separate properties (Pleasant Villa and Hampstead), where we raise goats, chickens and turkeys, and have many vegetable gardens and fruit trees.
  
  Keith and Irene are mid-70's and could use extra help with the gardens, canning, building projects and general upkeep of the house and property. Dani lives on a separate property, which is where you will be staying in a lovely newly renovated guest room, and she could use some help with property maintenance.
  
  Ann is building a tiny home on our main property and could use help with the animals, fencing, and trail building around our property. We live in a rural area, with a public wharf 2 minutes from Dani's house and a hiking/biking trail right across the road. There is a marsh across from our home and tons of opportunities for wildlife watching. You can also hike through our 10 acre bush and beyond.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  Interests

  

  Culture

  

  Sustainability

  

  Pets

  

  Farming

  

  Plant care

  

  History

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Books

  

  Gardening

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Animals

  

  Camping

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Nature

  

  Outdoor activities

  

  Hiking
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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

  Our family is very enmeshed in the Gagetown and Arcadia communities, we participate in the summer markets, Ann works with a local potter and Dani is the Executive Director of the local museum. We participate in a variety of activities in the community and will be happy to introduce you to people who share similar interests.
  
  Irene, Dani and Ann are all very crafty, and will happily teach any of their craft skills. We are happy to teach any farm related skills, as well as cooking, baking and basic handyman skills. When we lived in Ontario we were very involved in the multi-cultural community, and love learning about different cultures and especially food! If we don't know a skill that you are interested in learning, we probable know someone with that skill!

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  Help

  We would like help with some or all of the following: planting, weeding, mulching, turning compost, harvesting, canning/dehydrating/freezing, housekeeping, milking goats, walking the goats and dog, cutting and stacking firewood, clearing trails, building projects, yard maintenance, fencing, barn cleaning, moving chicken tractors, shoveling sand and dirt, picking up orders.
  
  It looks like a lot, but not all of this is happening at the same time. There are likely other tasks that we could discuss as they come up. We are happy to teach people how to do all of these things, and if you know different methods, we are always happy to learn.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  Dani and Ann would love to learn new languages.
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  Accommodation

  Dani's house is a 10 minute drive from our farm. She has one newly renovated guest room with a queen bed, and an un-renovated guest room with a twin bed. You will share the newly renovated main bathroom and have access to the rest of the home, including washer and dryer. There are 2 cats in her home.
  
  There is plenty of space on both properties for a camper van or RV.
  
  Dani works Tuesday-Saturday (leaving at 8 am) and can drop you off at the farm on the days you choose to work. If you have a valid drivers license you may be able to use the farm truck occasionally, although having your own transportation would be better.
  
  You can eat breakfast at Dani's or at our place, and we will provide some lunches and dinners for you. You are welcome to cook at Dani's house, but absolutely can not have fish there as Dani is severely allergic. We have some experience with cooking for allergies and dietary preferences. Most of our produce comes from our gardens or from local farms, and all of our meat is locally sourced. During the summer, our hens produce all of our eggs.

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  What else ...

  There's lots to do and see in the area. Fredericton, Sussex and Saint John are an hour away, Moncton and St. Andrews are two hours. In two hours, you could be at several different beaches, enjoying the music festivals and other entertainments throughout the area, enjoying a drive along the Fundy Trail Parkway with its numerous scenic outlooks, or sampling delicious drinks and foods at lots of different breweries, pubs and restaurants. If nature is more your thing, you don't have to go far for canoeing, kayaking, hiking, or birdwatching. There are museums and shops, markets and fairs all waiting for you to explore. If you are a French speaker, you'll find plenty of people to converse with throughout the area and lots of French history to visit.
  
  If you want to stay closer, there's still plenty to see and do. We have osprey that nest nearby, and Dani regularly sees bald eagles fishing. Both houses have decent wi-fi.
  
  Unfortunately, we can't allow you to bring your pets, due to our pets and farm animals. But don't worry, all of our animals will insist on being petted and snuggled, especially the goats (even the big ones still think they are lap goats!).
  
  We do ask that you keep all areas you use clean and tidy, and wash the bed linens once a week. We understand that other people's kitchens can be confusing, so just ask if you aren't certain where something is. We will make sure you understand how to do a task before we ask you to do it, and we are always happy to answer questions. We want you to enjoy your time with us!

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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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  Can host digital nomads

  This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  Campers/motorhomes will be able to use the bathrooms and kitchens at either house.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  My animals / pets

  

  The Turkey Gang (1 month)

  If you have never met a turkey you are missing out. They are perpetually delighted by life and love to be included. No effort required on your part, they will include themselves in all your activities without you asking. 😂 they enjoy spending time with the chickens and don’t get little things like not being allowed on the deck to get them down. Noises are their favourite thing and they can be relied upon to go investigate any sufficiently interesting noise. (This is pretty much all noises, but especially engines)

  

  The Ladies (2 years)

  Our group of laying hens enjoy their time foraging free range during the day. It is adorable to see them trotting across the yard or enjoying a good dust bath. They are quite sociable and like to come see what you are up to…. And if you have any snacks for them. We have mostly barred rocks and have a some chantecler chicks this year as well.

  

  Missy (11 years)

  Missy is the Queen of Everything at Dani’s house (and anywhere else she happens to be). It is a big job, but she does it well and is still gracious enough to allow you to pet her when she has the time. But don't make the mistake of thinking that fluffy white belly is for petting! She keeps quite busy making sure everything runs on time and that Orion is following the rules. Missy enjoys watching the birds and would like to be allowed full access to the outdoors as she has some things she would like to say to them.

  

  Orion (3 years)

  Orion is the building manager at Dani’s house. In charge of monitoring the bird feeders, quality control for all seating and pest control he has quite a busy day. Don’t worry though, he is always willing to free up some time to sit on your lap and has a PhD in assisted napping.

  

  Nala (4 years)

  Nala is our house dog on the farm. She is cheerful and built for speed and loves to chase a ball (returning it is optional). Nala is a quick study and is learning to leave the chickens and turkeys to their own business and also how to ride on the back of the atv.
  Nala loves you already and will be your best friend forever and ever. She’s got a big bark and a big tongue… watch out, she likes to give kisses!

  

  Caramel (Cara) (10 months)

  Cara is one of Macchiato’s babies from last fall. She is a very independent little creature and doesn’t mind wandering away from the herd to find an adventure. She is Lili’s best bud and the two of them have a healthy competition to see who can jump on the highest thing. Cara isn’t as fond of people as Lili, so she doesn’t feel people are an appropriate climbing device.

  

  Fondant ( Fawn) (10 months)

  Fawn is our little princess. She is one of Macchiato’s babies from last fall and she is very much a momma’s girl. She is a sweetheart, but is slow to trust newcomers like her mother. Already she is as sleek and elegant as her mother and we look forward to seeing how she grows up.

  

  Lilith (Lili) (10 months)

  Lili is one of last year’s babies out of Cocoa and Mac. She has her mother’s outgoing personality but is a little more easygoing like her dad. Lili is always up for a cuddle on your lap or in your arms. Once she discovered that she had springs for legs the sky was the limit… Lili likes jumping on anything that will hold still long enough, including other goats and people.

  

  Moose Tracks (Moose) (2 months)

  Little Mr. Moose is our newest breeding buck, and he is still just a tiny little guy. He is still very new to the farm and getting to know the routine. He loves a good snuggle, eating delicious tree leaves, and yelling at the neighbours cattle to come and give him attention (sometimes they humour him).
  We look forward to seeing how Moose grows up.

  

  Mac’n Cheese (Mac) (3 years)

  Mac is one of our 3 breeding bucks. He’s quite an introvert and hasn’t really gotten over the trauma of the big move here three years ago. He’s started to come around and will hang around with you if you don’t make any sudden moves. He is very smart and a very gentle soul.
  His best bud is Rocky, and despite his reservations about being around people he will defend Rocky if he thinks his buddy is in danger (for example, having his hooves trimmed….) . Mac’s hobbies include sunning himself on the barn porch, eating fresh grass, watching Rocky’s shenanigans and eating the forbidden lilac and fruit trees.
  He is a sweetheart and a very handsome guy.

  

  Rocky Road (Rocky) (3 years)

  Rocky is one of our breeding bucks. We’re not sure how smart he is, but what he lacks in brains he makes up for in personality. He is one of our original goats and Mac’s best bud (and roommate). Rocky’s hobbies are fighting the raspberry canes and the rose bushes, singing about his day and how he feels about it and eating fresh grass. He loves grain and treats and will sing you a song about it any time you like.

  

  Cocoa (2 years)

  Cocoa is the first baby born on the farm. We cuddled her constantly, and she still believes with all her heart that she fits on your lap (you just must not be sitting right). She is a sassy go getter and would like to be in charge of the herd, or at least vice president goat. So far no luck. 😁
  If Cocoa can’t sit on your lap she is ok with getting constant attention and petting instead. Brushing is also acceptable. Coco also has a batch of babies on the way at the beginning of September. Hopefully for her stress levels she can relax a little more this time…. She was a bit of a helicopter mom on her last pair. ❤️

  

  Macchiato (Macchi) (3 years)

  Macchi is Bru’s eldest daughter. She is one of our original goats. She is sleek and elegant and very, very smart. She helped us learn all the ways a goat can get out of the pen she has been put in. A very good teacher indeed.
  While she was a bit of a wild child growing up, she has mellowed considerably with age. She is still wary of newcomers, but very affectionate with those she knows. Like her mother she has very definite ideas of how the world should run and is not afraid to chart her own path… its not uncommon for her to wander away and leave the rest to catch up behind her.
  Macchi has a batch of babies on the way (end of August!) and we are excited to meet the new additions!

  

  Perseus (Percy) (2 years)

  Percy is our livestock guardian, and he lives at the doe barn. While he is still young, he takes his job seriously and is very attached to his goats.
  Percy is a big goofball , and loves a good tummy rub. Farm visitors are his favourite, because they usually spend a lot of time telling him how handsome he is and giving him pets. He has recently graduated to spending his days with two adult does, and later this year we think he will be ready to guard a small group outside overnight.
  He is a good boy and we appreciate his hard work (even if that wagging tail does occasionally leave bruises)

  

  Crème Brûlée (Bru) (4 years)

  Bru is our herd queen, mother and grandmother to most of our girls. She taught us how to milk and was mostly pretty patient about it.
  Bru has very definite ideas about how things should be, and isn’t really fond of trying new things…. Different is very suspicious . The babies can usually jolly her into going on longer walks, but it can take some convincing and once she decides it’s time to go home that’s the final word.
  She keeps a close eye on her herd and will let Percy (the muscle) know if there’s something he should bark about.
  Bru favourite things are apple snacks (cookies) and petting…. Head rubs especially! If you don’t have a hand free she’ll give herself a head rub on your leg. 😂

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