Meet the Sikoras
The New Year is a time for planning here on the ranch and New Year 2010 brought with it challenges that we had not had to consider over the preceding years. These challenges made us search for ways that would enable us to continue to run our business as successfully as we could whilst facing up to the limitations forced on us by our physical problems. We have always considered ourselves stewards of the land and guardians of the livestock in our care and it seemed that we would be perfect candidates for joining the Woofer programme. We both enjoy sharing our ranch and teaching through example and experience, and we both enjoy people of all ages. A period of research into the Woofer organization convinced us that the programme would be beneficial to us and to the applicants, young and old that chose to join our ranch team and our family. We recognised that our 40 acre ranch with its livestock, garden and orchard was a mine of new experiences for a mind willing to learn and an attitude prepared to work with us. We are in a programme of reconstruction, fencing and building, working with the land to benefit the land and we have shared our vision with many WWOOFer visitors who were prepared to learn about caring for our livestock, extensive equipment and land.
2017 Host Farm Video
We were visited by the WWOOF (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms) Ambassadors in late spring. While here, they made a video of us about our participation in the program.
WOOFER INTERNS WHO HAVE JOINED OUR TEAM
Meet Jodi
Jodi was an incredible asset to the ranch, with her background in the landscaping business and having grown up in a farming family it was always going to be a win win deal. In the 6 weeks she had been with us Jodi became one of the family and we have learned from her as she has learned from us. Jodi learned to drive the tractor, milk our family milk cow and handle our 2 huge Shire draft horses, trim the feet of sheep and goats and care for our flock of chickens as well as completely re-design and plant our farm garden. Jodi was instrumental in beginning the first phase in building a new loft system in the barn, helped Greg to fell dead trees and learned to use a chainsaw, drill and skill saw with confidence. Hopefully Jodi enjoyed her visit with us as much as we enjoyed her stay on the ranch. Thank you Jodi for choosing to come to Gentle Giant Meadows Ranch, its was a lot of fun.
Meet Tom
Tom, a young man from Chicago is familiar with the Woofer program and has been interning at several farms before a short visit to our ranch. As earlier commitments had been made Tom was only able to stay for 3 weeks but during that time we were able to ensure that he was able to add several new experiences and accomplishments to his cv. Tom also learned to drive the tractor and operate the chainsaw as well as use the planer and work with the saw mill during his stay. Whilst being familiar and very comfortable with goats and sheep Tom had never worked with horses or cows and by the time he left the ranch he had learned to work with and milk Molly the milk cow, groom our Shire Horses and had basic riding lessons on Destiny our little Arab mare. Tom helped Greg to construct a grain bin to hold 3 tons of chicken feed and measured and built a very efficient drain cover and several drying racks for wet horse blankets, having never made anything before, he did a great job. Whilst mentioning new experiences, I have to say that I was able to influence Tom into an "almost English" practice of mayonaise with his chips (fries) and HORROR of horrors... adding milk to his tea. I dont think I would be speaking out of turn if I mentioned that Tom was very appreciative of being a member of the farm family and even more appreciative of the farm dining ...that boy has hollow legs. Thank you for coming to stay Tom and for all your hard work...keep smiling and good luck for your future in farming.
WWOOFER WALL OF FAME.........Winter 2011
