The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Coffee Lounge => Topic started by: Rupert the bear on August 20, 2015, 07:15:23 pm

Title: Help and farmsitting
Post by: Rupert the bear on August 20, 2015, 07:15:23 pm

Collective brain picking time,
We're having to accept that help is needed on the croft
What would be the best way to advertise for weekend help , and help at kidding time during the day  feeding etc  and what about farm sitting if and when we take a holiday ? ( I understand a holiday is a break from what you normally do ! ) We're in Aberdeenshire and really need some one trustworthy and reliable. Any suggestions  how to approach this and what happens about payment ?
Title: Re: Help and farmsitting
Post by: Caroline1 on August 20, 2015, 07:55:42 pm
No experience in this but Facebook seems to be a good starting point. There must be local groups you could post on :thinking:
Title: Re: Help and farmsitting
Post by: clydesdaleclopper on August 20, 2015, 08:05:17 pm
I'm sure I have seen someone advertising smallholding sitting in Aberdeenshire but can't remember where atm. If I find it I will let you know.


For kidding time how about getting a helper through the HelpX site where they help out in return for food and board. We had helpers when we were lambing and kidding and it was great.
Title: Re: Help and farmsitting
Post by: Bionic on August 20, 2015, 09:45:07 pm
For holidaying we have found other local smallholders a great help. In fact we have one a couple of miles away and we look after their animals and they do the same for us.
Of course it needs careful planning but it does work.
Title: Re: Help and farmsitting
Post by: farmvet on August 20, 2015, 11:34:53 pm
Word of mouth seems to be best. Ask a few local farmers or at mart, Most of the good freelance stockpersons don't need to advertise. You may find a good local farmers teenage son/daughter who'd relish the cash and the chance to get away from home for a bit, got the skills plus back up if they run into any problems.