Opportunities for on farm experiences at Moose Meadows Farm
Check the Events Calendar for potential available dates, upcoming events, and more!
Moose Meadows Farm is a host farm for farm stays. Since 2002, we have hosted over 60 persons from all over the world. We have had people come to stay for a week to up to 3 months from Germany, Israel, Australia, France, Spain, Switzerland, Britain, Denmark, Italy, Japan, and even… Canada. Many of the tasks people have assisted us with are visible around the farm.
The “Dixon-Traer” family is a typical busy family with commitments both on the farm and in town. Ted works in Quesnel for the Ministry of Forests (provincial government). He generally works Monday – Friday with some Friday’s off. Heloise works both on and off the farm undertaking some forestry and agricultural diversification, consulting work in addition to running the farm business. Tyquira and Amity attend school in Quesnel and are both in French Immersion (the majority of their studies are in French). Tyquira (b. 1997) is in high school whereas Amity (b. 2000) is in elementary. Activities the family enjoys are: travelling, watercolour painting, socialising, canoeing, horseback riding, scouting, kung fu, walking, spending lots of time at home, gardening, watching movies, etc. The family works hard and plays hard.
The farm is a unique farm in that it markets both products and experiences. The products and services the farm offers are diverse and include the following: Christmas trees, Evergreen Products (wreaths, garlands, centrepieces), free range eggs, birch syrup, alpaca / llama products (yarn, socks, blankets, duvets, manure), wild syrups and jellies (Dandelion Blossom, Fireweed Blossom, Rosehip, Rose Petal, Saskatoon, Highbush Cranberry), fresh vegetables, greens, berries and herbs, horse boarding, “Birthday in the Barnyard”, Workshops, and On the Farm Festivals and Events. The farm is also home to “The Antlershed Giftshop” and future plans include offering dog boarding and opening up “The Groom’s Quarter Bed & Breakfast”. The farm markets its products at the farm gate, through farmers markets and via the internet.
The farm is home to a wide range of domesticated animals from all over the world. This includes ducks, chickens, geese, guinea fowl, 21 alpacas / llamas, 4 dogs, 2 cats, 3 horses / 2 ponies, 2 donkeys, 1 highland cow, peafowl, 1 sheep and 3 goats. As the farm is situated in a typically Canadian rural setting wildlife, and /or their signs, are often seen on the property. Farm stay participants are asked to be aware of the likely presence of bear, moose, cougar, coyotes, and deer and to exercise caution at all times.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation at Moose Meadows Farm is either in the house (downstairs bedroom which also functions as the farm office) or upstairs in the barn (“The Grooms Quarters”).
The Groom’s Quarter is a private living space with a sleeping/living and dining area. There is no running water in “The Groom’s Quarter” and the toilet facilities is an outhouse. Access to a bathroom is in the house. Participants will be required to keep their accommodation clean and tidy in addition to assisting with regular household duties. Most dinners will be eaten with the family whereas breakfast and lunch may be prepared independently (groceries will be provided) in the barn.
Athough the farm does have high speed, wireless internet, its availability is limited as it is not DSL (digital subscriber line). The internet is primarily for business function. Farmstay hosts prefer that participants go to town for internet and computer use. Free wireless internet is available at several downtown Quesnel locations.
FARM DUTIES
It is important that farm stay participants that go to Moose Meadows Farm are enthusiastic with a willingness to learn & work hard while having fun. Moose Meadows Farm has been hosting farm stay participants & wwoofers since 2002 and is able to accommodate farm stay participants almost all year round. Farm stay participants must be prepared for all kinds of weather – hot sun, rain, drizzle, snow, and very cold temperatures. Participants will be expected to work both inside and outside and at times, on their own & independently. Participants are expected to work 5-6 hours / day and approximately 30-35 hours / week. Some flexibility in work hours is necessary as some days may be longer than others. Participants are encouraged to take 2 days off / week off the farm. A good work ethic is a must for this unique farm. Farmstay duties and tasks while at Moose Meadows Farm include but are not limited to:
Tasks |
Season / Time of Year |
Agri-Tourism Experiences – Birthday in the Barn, Farm Tours, Festivals |
Apr. – Oct. |
Animal Care & Husbandry – grooming horses / donkeys; feeding & watering, cleaning out barns / chicken house, |
All Year |
Camelid (Alpaca / Llama) Shearing |
May / Jun |
Camelid Fibre Management – washing, picking, carding, felting |
All Year |
Christmas Tree Management – pruning, brushing, shearing, spacing, etc. |
May – Sept. |
Cone Wiring / Wreath Decorations |
All year |
Construction – assisting with building projects (outbuildings, renovations, etc.) |
All year |
Crafts – as requested by the farm hosts |
All year |
Educational Workshops – farm diversification, sugaring off, agri-tourism, etc. |
All year |
Evergreen Bough Collecting |
Oct. – Dec. |
Farmers Markets |
May – Dec. |
Fencing – Repairs / Maintenance |
Mar. – Oct. |
Firewood Cutting and Collecting |
All year |
Gardening – digging garden / greenhouse, weeding, planting, watering, mulching, etc. (typically at least 1 hour / day) |
Mar. – Oct. |
Haying – collecting hay off the field |
July |
Inside House Maintenance – painting, cleaning |
All year |
Inside / Outside Barn Maintenance – cleaning, tidying up, |
All year |
Pasture Clean up / Maintenance – rock picking, brush removal, digging up invasive plants (e.g. thistle), spreading manure, collecting manure |
Mar. – Oct. |
Snow Shovelling |
Oct. – Mar/Apr. |
Spring Clean up – raking, general tidying up yard, etc. |
Mar./Apr. |
Sugaring Off – Birch Sap Collecting, Birch Syrup making, Firewood Collecting |
Apr. |
Wreath Making |
Nov. – Dec. |
Wreath Decorating Workshops |
Nov. / Dec. |
Yard Maintenance / Clean Up – Leaf Raking, Clean up, Digging up invasive plants (e.g. thistle, burdock, etc.) |
Oct. / Nov. |
NOTES:
(i) The expectation while with us is that you must be prepared to work, inside and outside, and be prepared for all kinds of weather (hot sun, rain, drizzle, snow, and cold temperatures). July to August can be very warm with temperatures reaching highs of +30 degrees C. Winters have a tendancy to be long. Snow typically arrives between October / November and we don’t see grass until April. IT CAN BE VERY COLD DURING THE WINTER WITH LOWS REACHING -35 C. To be properly equipped for the cold weather, we suggest the following clothes (at a minimum): winter mitts / gloves, toque, scarf, winter jacket, long johns, wool socks, heavy pants, etc. Although we do have some clothes which are available for use, we do ask that people visiting are prepared. As you will be doing farm tasks, you might wish to have an older clothes rather than using ones which you might wear to town.
(ii) Although you will be welcome to participate in most activities we do as a family, please remember that you are a guest first.
(iii) You will join us for most meals.