Volunteering
What is volunteering?
A volunteer within an organisation is a person who freely offers to perform tasks or services needed to assist the logistics of running shuch an establishment to flourish without financial reward.
At HVF we are grateful to people who chose to give up their time to join our team in caring for the life style pets left in our care and the management of the land required for that role. The boost of helpers enthusiasum encourages our goal to become self sufficiant and minimise of environmental footprint
What should I expect?
Expect to get involved in our lifestyle, which is pretty laid back. Normally a 10.am start for animal husbandry which is priority. Then we will have a project that suits your skills and ability and then afternoon animal husbandry completes the day.
Volunteers who stay with us are expected to take part in normal home jobs, such as cooking, washing up, hoovering etc. Your room, beds and bathroom are your responsibility and should be left clean and tidy for our next volunteer. Other than that enjoy our big and abundent space and you can always cuddle our pets.
What do I get in return?
To volunteer is an opportunity to gain new and unexpected experiences. The feel good factor of helping others is rewarding in itself but you will gain so much more than you can imagine. many of our global helpers have commented on life changing apiphanies and return to the farm again and again because it feels so welcoming.
If you are staying in exchange we do offer basic off grid accommodation or camping (depending on availability) and nagotiate meals depending on the time spent volunteering, However we do expect no less than 4/6 hours a day for those staying for a working holiday.
Day visitors you will enjoy a cuppa and a good old banter, you might get to take home some eggs, as well as your dirty boots.
.jpg)
What else should I know?
*We depend on rain and the stream for our water, so expect to boil your drinking water or provide your own.
*We are driven by the seasons, so water, fire and other region restrictions govern abundence or not.
* bring appropriate clothes and footware. (we can give you a list)
*the only heating we have is a wood fire or a hot water bottle. everyone collects the cones and wood and keeps the fire going.
* laundry is conditional on power & water availability. hand washing might be the only answere.
* We provide main meals but we all cook & clean up
You are welcome to bring your own special snacks & treats, or alternatives if on a special diet. We eat our own produce, which includes wild meats, eggs and milk.
.jpg)
Rules
You will be given a safety briefing on arrival, this will be enforced throughout your stay.
No fires unless we give permission
No smoking or Vaping on the premises
Close all gates & doors as you find them
Boil your drinking water or provide your own, if that worries you.
Be aware of electric fences, they hurt!
Stay on the formed tracks, sink holes/tomos are dangerous.
notify us of any allergies and provide your own epi-pen/mediaction
No personal guests without permission
Entering and keeping your belongings on the farm is at your own risk, including your vehicle.
Our family
Myself (Terri) and Jim are the custodians of Hidden Valley Farm and have been married for 30+ years and still loving life to the full. our oldest son Peter and Chris are both in their 20’s and do their own thing. We have two dogs Yob and Tilly. Yob is a Jack Russell and loves nothing more than to run off and scaveng. Tilly our Border Collie is quite timid and takes time to accept new people, we call this a guard dog LOL! So we suggest the quiet approach or no approach at all is best. Zozzy our cat is old & lazy and loves cuddles. Edwin is our new yard cat, who has already weedled his way into the house!
Where is Hidden Valley Farm
Our farm is situated on the top of Takaka Hill, halfway between Motueka & Takaka on State Highway 6.
We are classed as remote, however it's only about 25 minutes drive either way to major townships and we do have a cafe around the corner.
We overlook the Tasman inlet to Nelson & Marlborough Sounds. We currently run at approximately 380ish acres of rough hillside grassland, native & pine bush, within this we have two small streams. There are typical Takaka Hill cast/rock forms, Tomos (sinkholes) and caves.
