Ranchstay Canada

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As of September 7, 2021 this program is open to all foreign nationals that meet the Covid-19 requirements as listed here.

Canada is huge country and one of the world’s leading farming nations with a wide variety of farms and ranches.

On this program you will live with a local family and help out around the farm and around the house with daily chores and participate in family social events just like a member of the family.

We offer placements on more than 250 horse, livestock and mixed ranches throughout British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Tasks will depend on the season, the type of farm and your experience level. Most of all we are looking for people that love wide open spaces and want to learn the way of life of a Canadian farming family.

Your weekly volunteer fees go toward your placement, accommodation and meals.

If you have a particular interest or set of skills you can discuss these with one of our Placement Supervisors during your Zoom consultation and we will find you the most suitable farm host based on your skills and interests.

Key Details

  • Ages 19- 45

  • 4 – 20 week placement

  • Live and work on a horse ranch or a livestock / mixed / general farm

  • Must hold a visa to enter Canada

  • Love to have fun, be happy and enjoy meeting new people

Horse Ranch

Livestock Farms

Mixed / General Farms

We make farm placements primarily in Western Canada, Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. If you’re interested in another specific location, please let us know and we’ll see what we can do.

Placements last between 4 and 20 weeks. If you’d like to do a shorter or longer stint, please enquire directly with us as we may be able to arrange this.

You’ll fly into Vancouver, arriving on a Sunday. (You’ll be advised to book your own flights once you’ve received formal confirmation of your placement, and will need to book your flight to arrive on a Sunday.)

We will organise your airport transfer and arrange your first three nights’ accommodation in a downtown Vancouver hostel. Breakfast will be included. You will receive information about your airport transfer and initial accommodation in your ‘arrival package’, which we’ll send you before you depart your home country, as soon as you’ve sent us your flight details.

Your welcome orientation will be held on Monday morning (the day after you arrive), or Tuesday if Monday is a public holiday. During your orientation, you’ll receive information about phone cards, travel options, and general tips about life in Canada. If you have a working holiday visa and plan to work after your farm placement, we can advise you on tax numbers, bank accounts, and where to look for employment opportunities.

Tuesday is a free day to explore Vancouver. On Wednesday, you’ll travel to your farmstay. You may need to travel by plane, bus, or train to reach your farmstay, but we’ll provide you with more information about how to book this travel once your farmstay is confirmed (it should cost between CA$100 and CA$500 and may take up to two days). The farmstay family will collect you from the nearest airport or bus/train station when you arrive.

To reiterate, you should only book your flights once you’ve received a formal offer from your farmstay family. Once you’ve booked your flights, please let us know so we can send you your arrival package and advise you on domestic travel to your farmstay from Vancouver.

You’ll likely be pretty busy during your placement, helping out for around 5-7 hours per day on the farm, and for 2-3 hours in the house. Depending on your placement, you may also have specific duties on weekends or in the evening. Every farm is different, so you should speak to your host family about what a typical day or week will look like during your stay.

This means you may not have much built-in opportunity to travel during your placement itself. However, rest assured you won’t be bored! Your host family will include you in their own social activities such as visiting family and friends, and going to shows or community events. Additionally, if you wish to go away for a few days or weeks during your placement, you can discuss this with your host family. They are usually very accommodating – however, please note you won’t be refunded for weekly costs (e.g. meals, accommodation) for the time you’re away from the farm. Remember that Canada is a huge country, and getting away from the farm may be difficult.

If possible, however, we also recommend you allow some time before or after your placement to see the country. We work with several backpacker travel companies who can show you the best of Canada as well as the United States, Mexico, and Central America. If you’re interested in a spot of extra travel around your placement, let us know and we’ll advise you about travel options before you book your flights.

  • Be aged 19- 45
  • 4 – 20 week placement
  • A love of animals and the outdoors
  • Generally fit and healthy
  • Ability to effectively communicate in English
  • Understanding that farm animals are raised for human consumption
  • Able to travel on weekends and holidays to events
  • Health check
  • Able to obtain a visa to enter Canada
  • Criminal background check
  • Be Flexible about the placement location
  • Must be available for a Skype interview with an INTERNeX Supervisor AND possibly the Ranch owner /manager
  • There is a differentiation between work and household duties as stipulated above and there is a document to read that covers these differences
  • Must not smoke (smoking on the Ranch could result in early termination)
  • Not have any pre-existing physical or mental health conditions that affect your ability to work
  • Not ever have been diagnosed, suffer or take any medication for psychological illness
  • Love to have fun, be happy and meet new people
  • Complete online application and provide relevant documents (CV, letter of motivation, reference, experience level)
Apply Now

Horse Farm Participant

New Zealand

Horse Farm Host

New Zealand

Horse Farm Host

New Zealand