A matchmaking service has been created to put together farmers who need occasional help with chores and people who want to work on a farm.
The idea for Farmsitters came to Frank Campbell last summer during a camping trip with a farming friend. Each morning the farmer would rise early and drive a 100 kilometre round trip to do his chores before returning to camp.
Campbell gave his friend a hard time about not taking time off, but the farmer said he couldn’t find help. His brother was too busy, his father was too old and he saved favours from his neighbour for when he went away for longer periods or further distances.
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About two months later Campbell came up with the idea of creating Farmsitters and began his research. A similar service exists in Australia, but it’s designed more for finding full-time help for farmers.
At the end of August, Campbell quit his job, put together a sales team and began his mission of matching willing workers and farmers needing help.
He already has a list of people willing to help out on the farm, including oil field workers who want to get out of the business, retired farmers, students and women willing to water plants and look after pets.
“It ranges from farmers with 40 years experience to no experience and everything in between,” Campbell said.
“It’s retired farmers, other farmers, people who grew up on a farm and now live in city but want to get back to the farm. We’re getting quite a few people who want to keep in touch with their roots.”
Campbell supplies farmers with contact information and it is then up to them to contact the potential worker and make the deal.
“All we’re doing is supplying the phone numbers. We’re almost like a dating service.”
Payment for work is negotiated between the farmer and worker. Campbell said it could be money, an old truck parked behind the barn, half a dressed cow next time the farmer butchers or trading services.
Campbell has also looked to industry and agricultural organizations to sponsor and promote the initiative. By selling advertising on the internet, he hopes to keep the Farmsitter service free.
He is concentrating on building contacts in Alberta starting from Red Deer north. By next fall he wants to expand into Saskatchewan and beyond.
For more information, phone 888-470-2474 or visit the website at www.agriconnect.com.
