posted 3 years ago
We are looking for houseguests to help around the place for a few weeks at a time. We want an outlet to teach and share our skills and knowledge, and to learn from our guests. We have a small spare bedroom and plenty of food for a visitor who wants to learn and practice basic homesteading skills part time.
Located in the Shenandoah Valley of Viriginia, Fern Run Farm is a 200+ year old historic farm that we are restoring back into a homestead and dairy. The gradual process of bringing the abandoned farmland back into production, and restoring old log and stone buildings provides plenty of opportunities for anyone wanting to learn to start a farm, remodel, or homestead.
Although we have a small herdshare with Jersey cows, we are growing mainly for self reliance. We have gardens, orchard, nuts and berries, grains, bees, and poultry. Much of our food comes from the farm.
Our current goals include clearing, fencing, and structure restoration while keeping up with livestock and gardens. Many of our projects are focused on field and pasture reclamation after generations of neglect and the depredation of the emerald ash borer on the woodland. Our historic house and log and stone farm buildings present many restoration projects as well; some of the conditions are rustic while others have been brought more up-to-date.
We are a couple who has farmed and gardened together on various properties for the past decade, and we both have handled livestock and gardened since our childhoods. We’ve farmed in five different climate zones. We are traveled and well read, and enjoy discussing a variety of topics. We like history, and enjoy applying pre-industrial solutions to farming challenges.
If you think we are a good match, please don’t hesitate to respond below or send a message!
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