We have been hosts for many years and have had visitors from all over the world.
Our lifestyle here is a little different and we ask that you read everything below and also our 'All about the Farm' page to make sure that you understand just what staying with us will be like.
Both of us, Mike and Patricia, have back problems and at times struggle to get the work done. We need help through the year to catch up on jobs we haven't been able to do and to help with projects that need more than just us to complete.
A lot of the work you will do while here will be to grow food for yourself and others, to help improve the facilities that everyone will use and give us a bit of help to get our home finished. Every helper makes it better for every subsequent helper, staying here is about being part of a community that comes and goes over time. The helpers before you grew some of what you are eating and your efforts will help feed future helpers.
Minimum Stay.
Two weeks is the minimum time we like helpers to stay. It takes a few days to get to know the farm. We do have helpers stay for longer but like to get to know you before we commit to this.
The accommodation
We have two caravans both old but comfortable. Showers are in the house, we all share a bathroom . These facilities are very basic, if you need an en suite bathroom or spa this isn't the place for you.
What to bring
Please bring sturdy shoes, a broad brimmed hat, long pants and long sleeved shirts to protect your skin from sunburn and from things like hay when feeding the animals. A warm rain jacket and water proof shoes are always a good idea in winter. We don't lend out our computer so bring your own if you will need one while here. A few helpers have brought a water bottle with them, a good idea to have one to carry with you through the day.
What happens when we pick you up.
If you're coming by train we can pick you up from Yass Junction and if by bus from Yass. While we are in Yass it is a good idea to take the opportunity to do a little shopping if you need to. There are times when we don't leave the farm for days or even weeks, make sure you have everything you need. We often buy our lunch on the way home, if you do not want to do this bring a packed lunch or eat on the train.
Patricia's allergies (Please read this carefully)
Patricia has severe reactions to all commercial personal products and cleaners. It's very important that you don't use any while you are here. If you can't live without them, do not ask to come as using them will make Patricia very ill. We will supply you with our own homemade substitutes, you will need to tell us what you need when you arrive. We can make shampoo, conditioner, soap, insect spray and sunscreen. On the positive side, this is a great place to DETOX from exposure to everyday chemicals. Please note that you will not be able to use commercial sunscreen. We recommend that you bring light long sleeved shirts and a hat. I can make sunscreen but it will only suit application to your face and hands.
Work hours
We ask that you work 30 hours per week, sometimes a little more if we have something urgent that needs completing or fixing. We work different hours every day depending on the weather but we always do a quick round of chores in the morning, even on 'days off', it usually takes about 20 minutes.
If you don't understand the instructions we have given you please tell us and we'll try to be clearer. We don't mind at all and everyone will be happier if we are sure we understand each other.
The internet and phone.
We have very limited internet access. You will only be able to check your emails etc once a week or so, no surfing or uploading.
Phone reception here is poor. Telstra phones do work most of the time ,optus and other providers are unreliable. We do not have a landline phone and do not lend our mobiles except to organise your next destination if absolutely needed.
When contacting us tell us....
- The date you would like to arrive.
- The date you would like to leave.
- Your age and sex.
- Nationality.
- What do you do for a living or what jobs you've had at home or while in Australia?
- Do you have any woofing or helpx experience?
- How will you get here, bus, train or your own car?
- Do you understand that you will not be able to use any commercial personal products while here?
- What personal products you will need, for example soap, shampoo, sunscreen.
- Full names of everyone that will be coming.
- What skills do you have?
Contact us directly or through your HelpX page(host 9060) https://www.helpx.net
WWOOFers (contact us directly) 0428 846 203
Typical weekly menu and rough work schedule example. (winter)
Things swap around a bit depending on the weather and days we have to go off farm. Please note that we eat meat everyday and usually for more than one meal and we WILL NOT change our menu.
Monday - work day
Breakfast – Homemade museli with bottled fruit and homemade yoghurt.
Lunch – Fresh rolls with ham, cheese and salad.
Dinner – Smoked corned beef (homemade) with baked potatoes and homegrown corn on the cob. Hot custard and icecream.
Tuesday – Day off
Breakfast – French toast with blueberry maple syrup.
Lunch – Cold smoked chicken with salads and crusty bread.
Dinner – Canned farm stew and damper. Apricots and icecream.
Wednesday - work day
Breakfast - Museli and yoghurt with fresh sliced bananas
Lunch – Shredded corned beef or chicken in wraps with salad.
Dinner – Roast pork with extra crackling, roast potatoes and carrots and peas and beans in butter sauce. Ice cream with homemade chocolate sauce.
Thursday – short work day with bonfire night(winter only)
Breakfast - Pancakes with honey or maple syrup and cream.
Lunch – Cold roast pork with sweet pickles and fresh bread.
Dinner – Pea and ham soup and toast eaten by the fire with potatoes baked in the coals. Toasted marshmellows.
Friday – work day
Breakfast - Eggs, bacon, toast.
Lunch – Pea and ham soup and fresh bread.
Dinner – Ham and cheese turnovers with salad. Milk shakes.
Saturday – short workday with BBQ by the dam
Breakfast - Museli, yoghurt, toast.
Brunch – Bacon and cheese scones with sweet pickles and sour cream.
Dinner – BBQ at the dam and fruit toast, jam and cream.
Sunday - Day off. This is Patricias’ cooking free day, meals today are quick and easy.
Breakfast - Toast and cereal.
Lunch – Sandwiches and leftovers.
Dinner – Frozen pizzas and garlic bread.
Our animals.
The animals on the farm are livestock, they have a purpose or a job to do they are not pets.
The pigs. We love our pigs, fun animals to have around and great to watch.
The cows. We have dexter x jersey cows and a pure dexter bull as well as the last two seasons calves. Beautiful animals, great fun and nice natures.
The poultry. We have a dozen Australorp hens, assorted youngsters and a few roosters. We had a big flock of pure bred chickens but had them stolen in the middle of 2012. Their are many other poultry on the farm but they belong to my daughter and are under her care.
The horses. We have 2 horses, they are still being educated, NOT RIDEABLE.
The dogs. We have a lot of dogs, all are working animals or retired working animals. The whippets are crazy and energetic. The two Maremmas are beautiful big livestock guardian dogs, they are not pets and have to work for their living, they bark a LOT. They will bark at anything out of the usual and any animal or person they think is not where it should be. The dogs will bark quite often, even through the night, it's their job to let us know what's happening. You'll get to know the difference between an 'I see a kangaroo' bark and 'I see a fox' bark. Quite often the 'I see a fox' bark will be followed by us getting out of bed and doing a round of the animals.
The sheep. We keep a small flock of Dorpers, just enough to provide us with lamb and mutton.
The pigs. We love our pigs, fun animals to have around and great to watch.
The cows. We have dexter x jersey cows and a pure dexter bull as well as the last two seasons calves. Beautiful animals, great fun and nice natures.
The poultry. We have a dozen Australorp hens, assorted youngsters and a few roosters. We had a big flock of pure bred chickens but had them stolen in the middle of 2012. Their are many other poultry on the farm but they belong to my daughter and are under her care.
The horses. We have 2 horses, they are still being educated, NOT RIDEABLE.
The dogs. We have a lot of dogs, all are working animals or retired working animals. The whippets are crazy and energetic. The two Maremmas are beautiful big livestock guardian dogs, they are not pets and have to work for their living, they bark a LOT. They will bark at anything out of the usual and any animal or person they think is not where it should be. The dogs will bark quite often, even through the night, it's their job to let us know what's happening. You'll get to know the difference between an 'I see a kangaroo' bark and 'I see a fox' bark. Quite often the 'I see a fox' bark will be followed by us getting out of bed and doing a round of the animals.
The sheep. We keep a small flock of Dorpers, just enough to provide us with lamb and mutton.