Want to learn about homesteading and conservation work? Interested in living off the grid in the mountains? Read on for an opportunity from the Land Group for a live-in caretaker/steward.
The Land Group is looking for a person or couple to serve as intern in caretaking and stewardship. Bill and Gail Eastwood, our current stewards, mentor this position. The intern joins them in a small community of Land residents.
The stewards maintain basic land infrastructure (water system, road, off-grid electricity). They maintain a small organic garden, a homestead goat dairy, and a flock of free-range chickens. The garden and animals are part of their work towards creating a sustainable lifestyle on the land.
Stewards and stewardship interns take a creative role in understanding and working restoratively with the forests, the grasslands, and the creatures of the land. Our current stewards have had a major focus on forests. They have worked intensively over the years in fuels reduction, oak woodland restoration, and grassland preservation. This work protects the diversity and sustainability of the forests. It also maintains the productive edge where of forest meets meadow, a zone that rich in habitat and food for many species.
There is much to be learned. We are only at the beginning of restoring the land to balance after the human-caused disturbances of the last century. And we are only at the beginning of re-creating the beneficial niche of humans in the ecosystem.
We are looking for someone who:
Has basic homesteading skills for off-grid living, or is interested in learning. (A real plus if you like animals and have enthusiasm for goat milking!)
Is self-starting, a good learner, a willing worker.
Has a deep interest in re-creating the human relationship to the natural world through respectful observation and thoughtful interventions to heal and restore balance.
Can share with our city-based ‘Friends of the Land’ our evolving connection with the land and all its life forms.
Can practice loving community with other residents and with visitors.
What we have to offer:
Residence in an off-grid trailer, set up with solar electricity, shower, kitchen, bedroom. No flush toilet (ask us about the ecological soundness of using an outhouse.) Use can extend, in the absence of visitors, to the more spacious one-room “community house” located in the same area as the trailer.
Opportunity to connect to high speed internet.
Mentorship from current stewards, who have 45 years of experience in restoration work and off-grid living.
Time frame: We hope to see someone occupying this role over the coming winter. The opportunity is open to grow into a longer-term relationship with the land.
For more information or to apply: