Beartown Farms, Antwerp, NY

Location: Antwerp, NY, United States

We have approximately 650 acres of open pasture and meadows and 400 acres of woodland on three farms. Land is rugged, beautiful, and in a very rural setting. We currently raise grassfed sheep (550) and Angus cattle (130) and have 10 draft horses. All tasks are shared with the owners and their son, or periodically neighbors and interns. We practice sustainable agriculture without the use of chemicals and are in the process of returning three abandoned dairy farm to productive use. Typical tasks include: feed and water livestock, clean barns, build and restore farm facilities, assist with lambing and calving, build fence and rotate livestock to new pasture, observe animals for health problems and protect them from predators, cut and bale hay, maintain farm machinery, sort animals for periodic checkups, assist with marketing and sales of meat and farm products, help train animals including sheep dogs and draft horses, cut and gather wood for the winter. Suggested length of stay for volunteers is 30 days or longer. Volunteers are needed year around. Accommodations are two bedrooms we can accommodate 1 couple and 1 single. Non-farming activities, paint inside the house, share house chores, restore old buildings. An ideal volunteer would have a passion for farming and a desire to learn sheep and beef cattle husbandry in a sustainable farm setting. Adirondack Park, 1000 Islands Park, Ski resorts, and 20 miles from the Canadian border. Depending on the season, bring skis, swimming suit, camping gear, or fishing pole. We can pick up at the airport or Amtrak station in Syracuse or any other city within 100 miles. Languages spoken, English and Korean. We have guard dogs for the sheep that are friendly with people, and they would quickly adopt new pets. We usually eat what we raise on the farm, but could accommodate special diets. We enjoy farming and work hard to meet the many challenges it presents.