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WHAT?
program information
Is there a little voice inside you that keeps bugging you to make a life change? Is that life change integral with a nature escape either part-time or full-time down the road? Do you envision yourself as a creative entrepreneur with a slice of land and all of the elements that come with that - growing your own food, raising chickens, etc.?
In this Homestead Experience Program you will embark on an intensive learning month-long opportunity with someone who was in similar shoes when she made a decision (fall of 2014) to completely change her life and live in a rural location.
Discover the difference between a dream of a homestead life with the practical realities of the day in and day out aspects of the lifestyle you decide to pursue.
This homestead experience program is a live and work opportunity that has plenty of time for you to also pursue your creative projects as well as explore the region.
In an active-learning mode, you will have the opportunity to have hands on learning on the property in particular the care and maintenance of the animals and gardens. In seminar style gatherings, there will be q/a sessions to learn more of Val's story, decisions, trials and tribulations, and knowledge she has gained in the last decade. She will guide/coach you in a variety of basic tasks around the property so you can gain actual practical experience to embark on your own quest of similar lifestyle.
Topics include:
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identifying the type of property, location, and acquisition techniques that suits your dreams and goals
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how to adjust to living in rural America as a liberal progressive and as an entrepreneur in the creative fields
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where to start with your animal decisions (the quirkiness of various species, the things to consider and learn from her mistakes/challenges, why you might need LGDs - large guard dogs, and more)
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connecting to the community and finding help (from veterinary to a social network)
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thinking about the types of agriculture or the landscape you desire and figuring out some of the challenges ahead of time (differences between container and in ground vegetable garden, should you try fruit trees, should you try something that could be sold at farmer's markets)
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how to balance creative life with the daily grind on the land that is different than suburbia and urban conveniences
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actual demonstration lessons (how to install a wire fence with t-posts, composting and weeding, basic carpentry if you haven't tried before, and other topics based on your interests)
WHO?
The ideal people this is geared towards are those with deep ambition, a fearlessness approach to your goals, boundless energy and ability to wake up early, and a person who is not concerned with sweat equity.
Consider applying if:
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you have previous experience in any animal caretaking - volunteering, pet sitting, your own animals, and have a life dream that contains animal caretaking in some way - from a cat cafe, an animal sanctuary, or just being a chicken parent
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you have the physical ability to move throughout the day which could include walking on uneven terrain, lifting, shoveling, and other elements that may require hand-eye coordination
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you are not someone to complain - about the heat, the weather, the sounds, being away from home, not having access to a brand name coffee shop in walking distance, etc.
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you are someone who embraces new experiences - even being sweaty, potentially getting dirty, and overall just celebrating life in a slower pace
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you understand verbal instructions and if you are not sure you eagerly ask for clarifying explanations or supervision of a task before moving on to do it on your own
and most importantly
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you have a goal within the next few years to bring nature into your life in some way, for example, you want a container garden on your back porch or you are ready for a few backyard chickens
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you have a longer term goal to make a rural lifestyle more permanent and you are really ready to pick someone's brains so to speak about the ins and outs
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you may be looking for a coach or someone in your corner to be your longer term mentor in this new trajectory
Alumni of this program will be included, if interested, in the possible future plans over the next 3 decades to transform the property into an art colony with establishing a foundation and a 'trust' to carry on this legacy.
details
Val is ready to share her knowledge and build a network of like-minded people who are interested in building a unique community network. After making the decision to acquire the land and create this art wonder wander space in 2014, now she is thinking about the life of the organism that is evolving beyond her own lifespan.
This is the start of that longer term process - to share her knowledge with others who are ready to get in the game and make your own significant life changes to start your own unpaved paths. Meanwhile, you will be in a creative network and considered part of a limited amount of people who would be eligible to continue on the legacy at this locale.
The first three years of this program includes approximately two week intensive at the start of the session and then a work exchange with the participants taking over the care of the animals while Val is running the art residency on the road in Japan, and then it culminates in a closing session on the experience. You'll have access to Val into the future via email, text, phone, and video chats to follow up on your journey, to get advice or a sounding board that is different from your immediate friends and family, and as a resource to ask general questions that may come up on your own rural endeavor.
2026 - July 1 - August 2 (may arrive early on June 28)
2027 - April 28 - June 3 (may arrive as early as April 25 and stay as long as June 6)
2028 - July 15 - August 19 (dates still tentative, but close)
2029 and beyond most likely a July or September program
THE NITTY GRITTY DETAILS
5 SPOTS!
3 will reside in the Raspberry Residency House (a full ensuite and two private twin rooms with a shared bath) and 2 will reside in the Camphaus with the cats and Val (queen hall bath and queen ensuite).
Program fee : $800 discounted to $400 in 2026
What does this include?
- all of the hands-on learning and q/a sessions
- three home-cooked dinners (leans towards vegetarian, pescaterian menu) - a welcome gathering, a mid-point group meal, and a closing meal
- a guided forest therapy walk and discussion about formalizing your nature practice in some capacity (is it u-pick flowers, herbs and wellness, a nature based art therapy, etc.)
- furnished lodging (all utilities such as electricity and internet) and access to everything that is on hand at the residency retreat space such as the laundry room, kitchens, the libraries, and the land access all the way to the river
- a personal gift brought back from Japan
- studio space (participation may be determined by space needs)
What is not included?
- transportation (but p/u and d/o at the airport can be arranged. at least two participants should have their own vehicle)
- food beyond the 3 meals and any eggs that are available or potential items from garden
- any personal art materials, personal items, gas for your car, etc.
Why should I have to pay to have an experience when the leader/host will be absent for a portion of the program? Why isn't this a completely free ride - or a paid position - as a caretaking pet-sitting exchange?
Val has used those types of services in the past. On some occasions there is less of a commitment by people who are simply 'sitting' or even being paid. Consider that this is an educational program as well as an entrance into a small network of people who can connect with each other in the future as potential to even help each other out in a similar manner may be available. So a minimal program fee for what you gain in return is a positive aspect of the energy of money and the value we place on experience and connections.
Val is at a life stage where she's seeking to not only share her vast knowledge from 2014 to today on this rural lifestyle start-up, but also interested in connecting with people who are extremely serious about this same trajectory and in developing a tight bond with this land and the animals in particular.
This is almost a priceless workshop that may feel like an adult summer camp or bootcamp where you will be able to gain valuable experience as well as have a mentor to ask questions not only this summer, but into the future.
Val is in the process of figuring out how this art organism she has created becomes a legacy with a life on its own with future people involved in that vision. There is more value and commitment if there is a minimal monetary exchange between the parties involved.
This is not for me, if:
I'm just looking for a free place to live for a month.
I'm too chaotic for a daily chore routine. I don't like to clean up after myself and I tend to leave food out or dirty dishes in the sink because I'm too distracted or focused on my personal work.
I honestly don't take directions very well. I am really not a good listener and I tend to just figure out how to do things my own way. I can be forgetful and am not regimented enough to make a daily schedule or reminder for myself.
I prefer to be awake all night and sleep late into the morning/daytime.
I don't like nature, being hot or dirty or sweaty, or being around animals at all.
I tend to complain, about anything, or cannot be away from my regular fixes like a particular coffee shop, fast food, etc.
I smoke and/or drink alcohol regularly.
I might have an emergency at home (aging parents, sick kids/pets, or something totally random like being the only person to deal with an emergency at home like a flood or broken pipes).
The world really sucks right now and I cannot get myself out of a negative funk to be able to even enjoy some time away from the chaos around me.
I can't find anyone to sublet my place, take care of my own animals, or any other situation that could lead to me leaving this opportunity in the middle of the program.
next steps?
Please complete the application form below.
Val will contact you after reading through the material to set up a video interview.
decisions will be made as soon as possible to allow for people to make arrangements on your end.
ready to blossom and be closer to nature? fill out that application
