Submitted by Berrymorerue t3_10dhhu3 in vermont
Anyone familiar with farms, businesses that offer housing & meals in exchange for work? In a bad living situation and would like some peace of mind while I figure out my next move.
Skills: Native Spanish speaker, Housecleaning, Pet Sitting, Project Management and open to farm work.
https://wwoofusa.org/ may have some opportunities
Here’s a website dedicated to it. Spanish and English is a plus. I’ve done a few trips where everyone working at various places I stayed in were from different countries and got the job in “work away”
Agree with u/ARaoulVermonter, try WWOOF.net:
I took a look. Only 1 Vermont listing. Does not say “no winter stays.” The one review is not positive.
If you zoom in on the map, there are several VT listings
O. Good catch.
Just about EVERY dairy farm in VT is hiring and many, many provide housing. Spanish speaking a plus. You won't confuse the housing with the Plaza Hotel, but if you're in a bad way it's better than nothing.
Most white folk can't handle the work on a dairy farm, that's why they hire Central Americans to do the dirty work. It's hard scrabble but it beats the alternative.
You could call Migrant Justice in Burlington if you wanted more insight. They're NOT an employment service, but they know some stuff. migrantjustice.org
> Most white folk can't handle the work on a dairy farm,
What? 1200 migrant workers, 1000 farms, in a state that is like 94% white. Yes, migrants help keep VT farms running but your comment is naive. Having worked many years on a farm in various capacities, rest assured, there are plenty of white dudes working on farms in VT.
Source. https://migrantjustice.net/sites/default/files/mythsandrealities.pdf
Your information is outdated. There are only about 600 dairy farms (cow, sheep, goat) in VT currently. And the ones that employ non-family members often hire Central Americans.
There's around 500 SFO (small farm operations w/ under 200 head) that tend to be family only run farms. There are 35 LFO > 700 head and about 100 MFO 200->700 head.
So, of the +/- 135 Medium & Large Farm Operations, these are the farms that hire the 1500-2000 Central American workers. About 10 per farm.
I am a UVM College of Ag & Life Sci (CALS) grad. I am reasonably conversant with VT's agricultural economy. I have been accused of many things, but naivete is not one.
That is “kinda” right. There are *about 600 dairy farm organizations. While the number has decreased it is because the large farms have bought out and consolidated so there are nearly the same number of locations (farms), just owned by fewer people.
There are also over 600 CSFO and closer to 900 is you get rid of the Certified status. *may have been 1200, I didn’t pay attention to that number.
I just saw these numbers last week.
*here’s a modern article which confirms the 1200 migrant number. https://energynews.us/2021/05/03/in-vermont-a-new-model-emerges-to-improve-migrant-farmworker-housing/
** you being naive has nothing to do with number of farms, vs lfo/mfo/sfo and much more to do with your comment that white people can’t handle farm work where over 50% of the farm labor in the state is white people.
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Orchard hill bread has a baker's apprentice program! In Walpole, NH
I volunteered for the first time in 2022 and had a FANTASTIC experience. Here are 12 of my favorite volunteering websites that offer free work trades worldwide:
In my article, you can find the pros & cons of each platform, as well as a table comparing the TOP 5 platforms: https://www.almostzerowaste.com/best-volunteering-websites/
darcy1805 t1_j4lokpe wrote
It can take 3-4 weeks to go through the process, but you could look at HomeShare Vermont (place to stay for free or cheap in exchange for companionship/meals/pet care or other work around the house). Typically a shared living situation with a senior. https://www.homesharevermont.org