Farmstay Settling in and Expectations

Farmstay - Settling in and Expectations

How awesome is it to finally meet each other and to share this experience. To help make this the most successful time possible we have put together a few things to chat about. This form should be filled in together and hopefully helps to give you the confidence to talk and discuss things now and throughout your stay.

Host Name

First Last

Host Email

Farmstay Guest Name

First Last

Farmstay Guest Email

Food and Meal time

Meal time is often a time to come together but all meals times are different. We have learned that it is good to discuss the best way to make meals times work for everyone. Do you have a "who cooks cleans" policy or is it better for "the one who does not cook clean up"? Do you need "family time" some nights or do you want a sit down dinner every night..? Here a few things to chat about..

Tick that each have been discussed and agreed to

When and where do we usually eat breakfast, lunch and dinner? Which meals do you usually have together and when do you have meals apart?

What are the typical daily meals, who cooks what meals, who prepares, who cleans up? what is the meal time routine?

If someone is vegetarian, how this will work?

Who does the Food shopping and how does the the food shopping budget work ? If the guest has special dietary requirements e.g Alternative Milks or breads , who pays for these?

What are the rules around snacks and sharing snacks with others?

Daily Tasks

Every day can be so different and will change throughout the guests stay. Below are a few things we would like you to discuss so expectations are clear.

Tick that each have been discussed and agreed to

What is the usual daily routine? e.g getting up, when the day starts and finishes and how the day generally goes.

What are the typical daily tasks that will be happening most days?

Are there any things upcoming, eg. lambing , horse events, or holidays and how does this work?

What are the general expectations in the treatment of the animals on the farm?

What machinery can / cannot be touched?

If applicable, when, where and how is any horse riding possible?

General safety on the farm, e.g. closing gates, turning things on and off, fire extinguishers, what to do when things go wrong.

Communication

We have found Farmstay guests often don't feel confident asking questions, and the host thinks if you are not asking questions then everything is good. Here are some tips about communication style...

Tick that each have been discussed and agreed to

Who is best person to speak with about any questions and the best time to ask questions?

Do you have a list of things that the guest can do, or do like to have a chat about what do to each day? Decide what works best for both of you.

Chat about how to show initiative, e.g. not having to be asked to empty the dishwasher, bringing the clothes in if its going to rain, repetitive jobs that should just be done each day etc.

Driving and use of vehicles

List any vehicles that the participant is allowed to use on the farm and off the farm. E.g. using the quad to drive to the milking shed, or using the Volvo to do the grocery shopping.

Please list below

Vehicle type

Vehicle use

Childcare

Is there any childcare expected as part of the stay on the farm?(Required)

Yes

Discuss Childcare Expectations

Discuss the the children's routine.

Discuss daily tasks when helping with the kids.

Rules for the kids e.g. what can they eat, when can they use devices, bed time, bath time, using baby monitor etc.

Expectations when looking after the kids, e.g. not being on your phone, an eye on them at all times, and just the general way to be e.g. playful like a sister.

General House Rules and Chores

Have a discussion about general house rules and how best to fit into daily home life.

Discussed

Cleaning your own bedroom and bathroom, making the bed etc.

Best time to use the bathroom and shower length expectation.

Cleaning common areas of house and who does what and when.

Personal hygiene and cleanliness around the house.

Laundry, sheets and how all that works.

When is appropriate and not appropriate to be on devices, e.g. not on phone around horses or on loud zoom calls late at night etc

Internet usage and any restrictions.

Bed time and how it works with kids, noise, lights out time and so on.

Security, locking doors and windows.

Power, Gas, Water usage.

Recycling and Trash and how that works.

Borrowing and maintenance of any gear e.g. boots, jackets etc.

Any other household rules to chat about.

Free Time

Have a discussion about guests free time and what they can do on the farm and in the area. If there is a car that the guest can borrow please fill in our driving form and if there is not please let them know when and how they may be able to leave the farm from time to time if they wish to.

Discussed

Which days / times are typically free time.

Things they can do on the farm, e.g. Horse riding, use of the spa etc

Local attractions and how they can get there.

Inviting guests over.

Joining in with family outings and events e.g which ones can they/can't they join.

Rules for dates e.g can they be picked up/dropped off at the farm?

Any local clubs / group they can join?

Communication about being away e.g texting if you will be home later than planned.

Any other things to discuss about free time / time away / holidays etc.

General Program Requirements

Tick that each have been discussed and agreed to

There tends to be a lot of culture shock in the first few weeks. Do you both agree that if you are facing challenges or have concerns about anything you have an open discussion about it.

If after 2 weeks, open discussion and an opportunity to improve, and you want to end the farmstay early you should give each other at least 1 weeks notice.

If you are sick or injured and cannot help out on the farm after 1 week then you need to make alternative arrangements.

If you want to extend your Farmstay your host needs to agree and you must give Internex at least 4 weeks notice before the planned end of the farmstay.

You agree to update Internex via email if any of the above occurs.

Please add in any comments below that you would like to note about your conversation together.