Shared living arrangement in exchange for land care
Please contact Jack at jack.santabarbara42@gmail.com for more information.
General Description of Land: This listing is different from the usual farm listing. This is not about taking over an existing farm operation but about helping out with a home garden situation. The interested party would likely wish to also have some external work for cash income.
We have a large garden and small orchard that we need help maintaining. In exchange for approx 15-20 hrs per week (on avg), we can provide an 18 m2 furnished sleepout, plus porch and outhouse, and shared use of the main kitchen and the rest of the land. The produce grown would be in our shared meals, along with fresh eggs from the chooks. Lots of room for a bus or tiny home if that would be of interest.
While some of the aspects of our arrangement are fixed, there is really quite a bit of flexibility in providing space/ accommodation and food in exchange for land care. For example, people might wish to use both our 18m2 sleep out AND have space for a tiny home/caravan. If they would like a private shower, we would be open to installing one for them. If they would like their own parcel of land to cultivate in addition to working on ours, that is an option. How much food might be provided would be worked out between us based on dietary preferences and their interest in growing their own, etc.
We are really looking for a couple that could envision an opportunity for themselves using the resources we can assist with – more of an open book than a fixed arrangement.
Location: Motueka - about 10 minutes up Motueka Valley Hwy
Total land size in Acres: approx 15
Wooded Area/Cultivable Area: raised beds, tunnel house, about 150 orchard trees of mixed variety and netted berry patch.
Expansion Potential (Acres): The property is about 7 ha and there is room for growing commercial crops as well, but the soil would need lots of improvements. Could be used for grazing, but not fenced.
Zoning: Rural 2
Current Use: home garden and orchard and berry patch
Current Practices: follow organic and permaculture principles, not certified
Road Access: easy access
Electricity: Off Grid
Cell Service: yes and good internet connection
Short-term goal or vision for land: Maintain and improve the garden and orchard
Long-term goal or vision for land: Maintain and improve the garden and orchard
Known environmental hazards: a bit elevated, so can be windy sometimes
Current residents living on property: yes
Land is fenced: no
Availability of farm machinery and tools: Fait crawler tractor for mowing pasture, otherwise garden tools
Water Source: tanks and pond
Water rights to these sources: secure
On-site Housing: 18m2 furnished sleepout - sleeping and living room area, with a covered porch with water. Well insulated and carpeted. This would be a shared living arrangement where you become part of the household. Our son and daughter in law live next door and they are back and forth often.
Is there restricted access of visitors: no
Preferred Agriculture Products: mixed veggies and fruits
Practices Preferred: organic
Soil Details: area is separation point granite
Preferred Arrangement: we would like 15-20 hrs per week on average of help with the property in exchange for accommodation and shared produce from the land and use of the kitchen in the main house.
Would you be willing to mentor or advise the entering farmer(s)?: yes
Do you require references from the land seeker(s)?: Desirable
Agreement duration: we would like to see a long term arrangement so you get to know the land
Anything else you would like to add?: We think a couple would be ideal, age range of late 20's into their early 50's. This is more than just a rental arrangement as we will be sharing space and the land and its produce. It is also more than just being neighbours for the same reason. We are part of an eco-community and share tools and resources, and this social network would be accessible to you as well. Note: we are fully vaccinated and would wish all members of our household to also be vaccinated.
For more information or to express interest please contact Jack at jack.santabarbara42@gmail.com
