Cheryl Van Allsburg

Hi Andrew,

We're in Maine and seeking new connections.

Homestead established on raw land in 2010 in Southern Maine. 9 acres in the woods with large gardens, greenhouses, chickens-ducks-rabbits, and a wood products on-farm business. Cozy cabins, with kitchen & bathroom, for extra housing. Outdoor kitchen, large root cellar and other out buildings. We're on grid and moving into solar--husband electrical engineer, working with hydroelectric dams, and electrician. Diverse skills/knowledge in construction, maintenance/repair, etc. I am the gardener, animal husbandry and food preservation person. Preservation includes freeze drying, dehydrating, canning, fermentation and root cellaring. Our season runs latter April thru mid November. It has been our goal to find co-homesteaders, from practical reasons--more hands needed for all the work and as we age we will definitely need help, but also due to our values for having a good life. We value authentic relationship, interdependency, and the collaboration of ideas, skills and passions.

Since our beginning, we have worked with helpers, mostly through wwoof. It's been a joy making so many close connections with intriguing folks. And all these people have helped create this wonderful place on this sacred land. As much as we'd like to continue that endeavor, we are ever more drawn to finding very long term or even permanent collaborators. We have learned a great deal becoming homesteaders and recognize there is so much as yet not learned. We highly value life-long learning around here. Our past included unschooling our daughter. We invite the ideas of others and hope to create with co-homesteaders shared food production, on-homestead income generation and deep camaraderie and mutual caring.

Lots to talk about if you're intrigued. PM me and we'll get in direct contact.

All the best in your search!
Cheryl

Hello Reese and Nadav,

I got on the site today to post in our search for co-homesteaders to join us and found your post. Interestingly, we are in Maine, dovetailing with Gus' reply about his land. We moved to Maine to create a new life, one less focused on careers and move focused on simple living.

Homestead established on raw land in 2010 in Southern Maine. 9 acres in the woods with large gardens, greenhouses, chickens-ducks-rabbits, and a wood products on-farm business. Cozy cabins, with kitchen & bathroom, for extra housing. Outdoor kitchen, large root cellar and other out buildings. We're on grid and moving into solar--husband electrical engineer, working with hydroelectric dams, and electrician. Diverse skills/knowledge in construction, maintenance/repair, etc. I am the gardener, animal husbandry and food preservation person. Preservation includes freeze drying, dehydrating, canning, fermentation and root cellaring. Our season runs latter April thru mid November. It has been our goal to find co-homesteaders, from practical reasons--more hands needed for all the work and as we age we will definitely need help, but also due to our values for having a good life. We value authentic relationship, interdependency, and the collaboration of ideas, skills and passions.

Since our beginning, we have worked with helpers, mostly through wwoof. It's been a joy making so many close connections with intriguing folks. And all these people have helped create this wonderful place on this sacred land. As much as we'd like to continue that endeavor, we are ever more drawn to finding very long term or even permanent collaborators. We have learned a great deal becoming homesteaders and recognize there is so much as yet not learned. We highly value life-long learning around here. Our past included unschooling our daughter. We invite the ideas of others and hope to create with co-homesteaders shared food production, on-homestead income generation and deep camaraderie and mutual caring.

Your story resonates with us and we would enjoy exploring the possibility of the two of you joining us. Look forward to a conversation via PM and then more directly.

Best regards,
Cheryl & Kirk

Thanks Matt,  Absolutely, we'd love to meet you!

Thanks Rachel!

Established 2010 in Southern Maine. 9 acres in the woods with large gardens, greenhouses, chickens-ducks-rabbits, and a wood products on-farm business. Cabins with kitchen & bathroom for extra housing. Outdoor kitchen, root cellar and other out buildings. Have worked with helpers, mostly through wwoof, for many years. It's been a joy making so many close connections with intriguing folks. Our season runs latter April thru mid November. Work here includes maintenance/construction work along with the gardening, food preservation and animal work. Preservation includes freeze drying, dehydrating, canning, fermentation and root cellaring. Additionally, helpers always love digging in to building picnic tables for our business. We gladly share our knowledge and try to tailor the work to the helper's areas of interest. And the learning runs both ways. We highly value life-long learning around here. We're open to stay lengths between 2 weeks and all season, and find long stays especially benefit all parties. We encourage helpers to enjoy the beauty or Maine and work with folks to have time off for exploration. Located near the Saco River and ponds/lakes and have a canoe on site.

Get in touch if you'd like to explore the possibilities! PM me and we'll get on the phone and chat.

Cheryl

The Farm
Bird Briar Farm is an expanding sustainable farm in the woods of Maine near the Saco River. The energy and beauty of this land is incredible. The co-farmers of Bird Briar Farm work steadfastly to create an environment of good energy, camaraderie, cooperation, experimentation, curiosity, and fun alongside our serious commitment to hard work, efficacy & efficiency, excellent customer service, and integrity & right relationship with all beings and all that is.

The Intensive Internship
This year we offer a special educational opportunity in sustainable farming and permaculture. A spring to fall series of two-week immersions to include every activity happening on the farm and in exchange you will receive an extraordinary learning experience. Your Intensive Internship program will be lead by Jared Rich, a master of sustainable farming with an astounding depth of knowledge and experience. Mr. Rich was raised on a 1000 acre sustainable farm in Kentucky and has been immersed in soil biology, growing, animal husbandry, forest ecology and family farming as a business for four decades.
Farm activities: intensive market gardening, companion planting & polyculture, fodder production, creation of food forest, building swales, mushroom growing, greenhouse production/management, harvesting, marketing & selling, food preservation to include canning, fermentation, pickling, freezing, and drying both, animal work including chickens, guinea fowl, ducks, rabbits, pigs, dairy goats, harvesting animals for meat and hides, tanning hides, producing garments from hides, and construction of a farm building.

Though this Intensive Internship is designed for a two-week stay for each participant, someone with a deep commitment to learning sustainable farming whose performance during their session is stellar will be offered the opportunity of another session.

Lodging Etc.
You will be provided with living quarters, or you may camp with your own tent, with use of our farm bathhouse and with the fabulous & healthy food you are helping to produce. You will share a provided meal with other farm folk once a day and some basic staples will be provided along with the farm's veggies for self-prep of other meals. Our expanded gardens will result in a full-fledged super garden pouring forth a luxurious array of veggies including many heirloom varieties.

Free Time
The area offers swimming, use of the farm's canoe, walking in the woods, biking and the general beauty of Maine. And naturally the whole gang sitting around the campfire to cap your first week as well as an end of session campfire of thank you and celebration with all the proper party trimmings.

Qualifications
We seek lifelong learners with a passion for sustainable farming and permaculture, the ability and willingness to work hard, the maturity to thrive in a cooperative, shared living setting, and positive traits such as perseverance, thoughtfulness and a good sense of humor.

Next Step
Tell us about yourself and why you'd like to participate in this internship and include your phone number. Email: Godemperor1767 at gmail dot com

We're in southern Maine creating a permaculture-focused homestead/small farm and are seeking co-stewards. Much accomplished including barn, root cellar and extra cabin. Much more to do and we are open to the ideas and dreams of others.

If you're interested in a conversation, get in touch: Cheryl & Kirk vanwish@netpenny.net

Are you still in Portland and still looking? We're just west of Portland creating a permaculture-focused homestead/small farm on 9 acres and are seeking co-stewards.

If you're interested in a conversation, get in touch: Cheryl & Kirk vanwish@netpenny.net

Best,
Cheryl