Finding Helpers for the Homestead

in #ghsc6 years ago

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This past week it's been so tough trying to get things done AND rest my sore shoulder.
There is always so much to do!

We have been talking about different options for help on our homestead and I would love to hear how others handle it when you well, can't handle it. Haha

Seriously, I know there are intern programs and such.
I've been thinking about a live in. As the gardens become more productive I know at some point we will need the help of others. My daughter wants to come on board but it's 225 acres.... I think we will have plenty of work and room for one or two more helpers.
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It's going to be a least a year before we are settled enough to bring others into the picture. Until the gardens are producing I don't have much to offer. But this past week got me thinking what IF I HAD TONS TO HARVEST AND NO HELP!

Right now as you can see I've got about all the help I can stand 😵 but I think it's something I need to start researching.
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Have y'all met Little Blackie?
She thinks I'm her play toy......

Y'all I got cat drool in my ear!
The struggle is real!

Thanks so much for stopping by the homestead
@SugarCreek

Original photos taken by me on my cheap cell phone

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Right now, we are dealing with too much work and a serious injury here on our homestead. I reached out to the community and was amazed at the outpouring of support and actual help!

I see you have a supervisor similar to my own. I am not allowed to do many projects here on the farm without supervision. But my supervisor is more standoffish, so I don't have to deal with drool... :)) But she doesn't do chickens....

Yes I am hoping to build good relationships with the community. We have met some nice folks but it's gonna take time.

It's hard dealing with stuff like that. I wish you the best.

ha! look at that cat..howdy there sugarcreek.. I know what you're saying about needing more help but don't know what to do about it but it's going to be a nice problem to have when the operation is so big it takes several people to run it!

Yes it will be a good problem to have.
That cat is a mess!

what's wrong with the cat?

Both her and JB were dumped out by a neighbor who picked them up somewhere to be mousers in his barn. I did not know they were "his" I just kept seeing them in edge of woods in dead of winter. They were hungry and very skinny. Also quite wild. Took me months to catch them. They live with me know. You would NEVER know they were wild except when people come around. They disappear. Neighbor can't get anywhere near them.
They are dear to me but sometimes they get over zealous with their appreciation.

haha! that's a great story sugarcreek. and so interesting that they are still wild to everyone else!

We don't have company so they are just not socialized

ha! you too huh? yeah like I said in my post a couple days ago..no one comes out here to visit, Jack goes nuts when they do, he's so excited to see someone new! lol.

When we ran into needing extra help, we hired out. Here it's not such a big deal because the wages are low compared to other places. I still hire out when I see things getting out of hand but since we now have 21 people living here it shouldn't be a problem getting the work done!

Yes, having a team is great!
I may have to hire out as well.
Maybe that's how I'll meet the right person to add to our team.

Honestly, the best help we’ve had has been through our church and mutual friends. For a time a large Mormon family lived nearby, I knew them well because I taught three of their seven kids piano... they wanted the older ones to have some farm experience and loved to “farm” them out to help us buck hay, round up cattle, etc. for free. Of course, I always insisted they got a square meal (or two!) depending on how long they were out.

Never pay for help though, omg. Time and time again, when we have offered to pay for hay help, we end up with people who can’t stack, refuse to be taught how to stack, unable to drive the truck, can’t be on time... the list goes on and on. Hubby has a bad back, and I’ve been prego a few times during farming season, so we’ve needed the help, but it hurts to pay AND THEN have to do all the work yourself anyway. 😡 Just our personal experience.

AWWW!!! Black Kittens Matter! And what a nice suit Little Blackie is wearing too.

She was on my back licking my hair and drooling in my ear while I was working on my guineas run. She is very demanding. Lol
Thanks for stopping by!

woow, she's adorable, take a look on my kitten: https://steemit.com/cats/@sawyer2020/i-found-a-homeless-kitten

I did go check her out what a cutie you were blessed!

That's great! What did you learn?