The Edge of Africa?? In New England?? Yes, we are less than 2 miles from Africa here. The Connecticut River Valley was supposed to be the rift that broke when Pangea separated. Northern Africa was on the east side, North America on the west. Soil testing has verified this. But it held and broke east of Boston.
About Us
We are 2 elders disabled with chronic invisible illnesses trying to raise the very best, nutrient dense food that we can for our health. David is an avid deepsea fisherman and Pam is a gardener. But building a homestead means we both wear a LOT more hats than that.
The Farm
Our farm is located in Western Mass., near Northampton. It's a small farm of 8.5 acres sustainably farmed with organic practices in the beautiful Connecticut River valley, home of the 7th best soil in the world.
The farm in 1983
We have a passive solar/wood heated house. We've owned the farm for 35 years and have built it up from a tobacco shed and cornfield to what it is now (including the house) all by ourselves. We've been slowly working our way to a more self sufficient, sustainable life style for several years. In 2012 we put up a 10Kw solar PV system that will supply the farm with 90% of its electricity. It's a work in progress.
Type of Help We are Looking For
We are seeking help with farm work primarily, but would welcome any type of help. We raise food for 3-4 other families and sell eggs. Work is animal care, harvesting, food preservation, weeding, planting, butchering, wood splitting/moving/stacking.
We also butcher all our own meat. This year the butchering starts on Labor Day weekend with the broilers, the pig is done in early October. Steemits are not required to do butchering, but help with cleaning beforehand, and stock making after would be helpful.
We have a lot of trees to take down so a lot of wood handling will ensue. We will also need help getting our regular wood cut up and into the shed. (Some of the trees are not suitable for heating.)
We have a collection of water barrels and would like help setting up a rainwater collection system. We also have stone work we’d like to finish on the chimney.
Our season runs from early April until late November. Before and after that we really don’t have anything to do.
Days/time off can vary, depending on weather and our health. In summer we work when we can. Some weeks may have more days off than others. Work starts at 8 AM and last feeding is about 7 PM. We fit the work and rest periods in as needed. Some days we can work 6 hrs., others only 2 hrs.
Skills That are Helpful
Some experience with animals (beef, chickens, pigs) is useful. Gardening experience very helpful. An ability to handle hand and power tools a plus. Skills pertinent to the listed projects would be great!
What We Can Offer
We have a spare bedroom for 1 person, and a large full size tent that has 2 separate areas, with a shared bathroom in the house. The maximum number of people would be 3. There are washer/dryer facilities, but clothes are hung out during seasonable months. We have an elderly house cat. We provide 3 meals a day.
White peach shortcake
We are omnivores and avoid most processed foods but have no problems with someone else's different diet. We can try to accommodate allergies. Vegetarians/vegans probably would not like it here as we do all our own butchering. Meals are included with the housing, in a shared family setting. Everyone is expected to help with meal preparation for the evening meals.
We can teach you to cook, about various types of food preservation, about building healthy soil, growing plants from seed to harvest, raising layers and broilers from day old chicks, raising weaner pigs, possibly about beef cattle management (not sure yet if we will have cows this year..), about pasture management, how to use hand tools, how to use power tools, how to drive a standard transmission truck, how to drive a tractor, how to build things, how to repair vehicles, the list goes on…
What the Valley Offers
This is a 5 college area (libraries, museums, etc.) in the Pioneer Valley (part of the Connecticut River valley) and there many, many things to do (music, arts, etc.) and we have lots of beautiful places to see (Bridge of Flowers, Mt. Greylock or Mt. Monadnock), rivers for boating or fishing, and many organic farms in the area.
Some Standard Rules
We ask that you help keep the common house spaces clean; daily chores inside as well as outside. Please keep your room or area neat and clean, vacuumed regularly, and bedding washed weekly.
Please do not bring pets.
There is no alcohol in our household. The use of illegal drugs or substances on the farm is not tolerated and anyone who violates this will be asked to leave immediately. Smoking is not allowed on the farm.
Steemits are welcome to stay for the entire season as long both parties feel it is working for them. We ask that stays not be less than 1 week, unless it is not working out. It’s hard to teach much in just a couple days.
We also require a valid health insurance card and information on who to contact in an emergency.