Caretaker Couple for small farm - Pawling, NY

In the lovely Hudson Valley with access to Pawling, NY (on the Metro North Train) and Kent, CT lies our small historic farm. We are seeking a capable, able-bodied caretaker couple to help with general maintenance in the house and on the grounds in exchange for a gracious house, utilities not included. We seek mature, self-motivated folks with basic rural skills to help with structure maintenance, grounds, and light gardening. We offer a beautiful, historic home in an idyllic rural setting with surrounding hiking trails, small towns, and a strong community.  

More about the Caretaking Position We are seeking a couple that is capable, able-bodied and have some basic rural living skills (i.e. dealing with woodstoves, firewood, gardening, power tools, etc.).   We ask for a minimum commitment of six months, thereafter renewable every three months. Caretakers will need a reliable vehicle (a pickup truck with a plow attachment is ideal).  We are asking for 8 hours of work per person per week in exchange for gracious three-bedroom home, with a washer and dryer, chef-grade kitchen, and other amenities. Utilities are not included.  Responsibilities include keeping the house clean, basic repairs, and grounds maintenance.  We expect that at least one caretaker will need to find paid work off the farm. We are seeking caretakers with interest (and ideally some experience) in gardening, light carpentry, general repair and maintenance, and possibly animal husbandry. Currently there are no domesticated animals on the farm but it would be possible to have a few goats, sheep, or cattle. There is an electric fence around three paddocks that needs to be maintained but is still there.  

We are looking for responsible self-motivated individuals with integrity, good communication skills, and strong references.  

Skills/ tasks we are looking for from caretakers include:

House Cleaning– The house in on the market to be sold but we could guarantee that it would not be sold in the first six months of your residency. Thereafter we could renew every three months. There is a glut of property for sale in the area and nothing is selling so this should be seen as a low risk. In case of showings the house needs to be kept clean at all times. You would have ample notice of a showing from our listing agent, who is easy to work with. 

Maintenance – The house requires ongoing maintenance and upkeep. In addition there is a small barn that needs oversight to keep the animals out especially in winter. This is the time to repair screen doors, paint, fix knobs, electrical, basically anything that needs fixing

Building Projects – There are always things that could be improved. For one, the barn roof has resisted multiple attempts at being repaired. Longer term, I would like to have fiberglass insulation put in the attic. The renovation projects will depend upon the skill of the caretaker couple and will be decided on in communication with the owner. Owner will furnish supplies, but it is expected that the caretaker couple will bring their own tools.   

Spring Cleaning – The grounds will need a thorough cleaning out in the spring. If there are no animals being kept, then we will have the paddocks brush hogged. The caretakers will be responsible for the lawn and gardens, which include a kitchen garden close to the house and raised beds by the barn with excellent southern exposure.