Anyone ever work as a Land Caretaker?

Bamboo

Bamboo

Joined
Dec 16, 2004
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I'm currently negotiating a position to work out in N. California. I want the job quite a bit.

Mostly I'm wondering what kind of salary to ask for/expect?
Any experience with this out there ....

The job would be full time, clearing forest, landscaping, road maintenance, building maintenance, groundskeeping, etc... Standard stuff, about 10 months out of the year.

Pros/Cons? All thoughts appreciated.

Thanks,
~ B


**I feel a little stupid posting this on the heels of Rusty's thread, but time is somewhat short for me on this topic, and it only occured to me just now to put it out to the Cantina. So, with due respect to more important things, I hit the 'submit' button....
 
Sounds like you'd better be in pretty darn good physical shape. Or you'll get that way doing the job.

Also find out what they intend for you in bad weather. N. Cal has it's share.

No idea on the $. Might be worth finding out if there is a forest service website with that information.

Hope it works out.
 
Bamboo?

If you want the job, the decision is made, irrespective of the salary.

Make sure you have benefits, physical work has inherent dangers.

If you can't tolerate the work/income ratio, at least you are out there, and have some experience in the field.


Best of luck to you. Ain't no guarantees in life, and there's always tomorrow.




be well and safe.


(p.s., don't worry about being somber about Bill M. This is what the forum he created is supposed to be about.)
 
Thanks Bruise. I'll use $20 as my opening bargaining amount. :D

We'll see how it plays out. Am I in shape for it? I'm in solid enough shape to start anyway ... we'll see about finishing, eh?

I'm sure there will be some real early mornings where neither body nor mind will have any idea what they are doing...

Kismet - thanks. very good spirit there.

~~
 
I do something very similar at work, although only once a week or so. It's my favorite part of the job. I talked a bit about it in this post. The pictures are gone, unfortunately - limited megapopsicles and all that.

Many people have to pay to spend time outdoors. Beyond that, Kismet explained it better than I could.
 
A lot of questions pop up in my mind.

Is room and board included. what machinery is supplied? How much land are you responible for? where in northern cal? Has the land ever had problems with pot growers,poachers,earth firsters? what is the s.o.p. for these things?
Do they expect you to run them off or just report them to the landowner.


Anyway that's just a few things that went through my head. Unfortunately I have no idea what the going rate is.
 
Hi Shappa,

Some good questions. It is 240 acres up near Eureka, CA. Problems with pot growing? You bet. The Feds actually busted the previous owners and that is when the land became available for sale. Hence, my potential boss bought it and is now looking for a caretaker to develop it.

In a sense it is perfect in that all the problems with growing have been cleaned up by the govt themselves. Not that I personally have a problem with it, but wouldn't want to deal with it as a problem, thats for sure.

I would have a fully functioning cabin at my disposal, have to provide food for myself. All equipment would be provided. The location is pretty remote, so I know my truck would take a beating just getting in and out of there.

Cheers!

~ B
 
Well, I live in Fortuna, about 20 miles south of Eureka.

Where exactly is this place if you don't mind me asking? Was the pevious owner the guy that got busted...then got out and started growing again only to get busted again? Ferndale /Petrolia area?

You'll like the area if you take the job. Beautiful scenery and mild weather.
Have you been in this area before?
 
The guys who I've known do this, love it. But it is a 24-7 job. Just FYI. You're at the beckon call of the land. In some folks book, that's a good thing. ;)
 
You would be there alone?

OK.

This makes it harder, for the imaginings of a person alone can be perverse and disturbing. You are a social creature and need other creatures of your species on a regular basis in order for your systems to work correctly. Your mind will want human contact, and in fact, needs it.


In TRAVELS WITH CHARLIE, Steinbeck talks about a caretaker position he had over the winter in the mountains. He said he changed, no longer whistled and other behaviors modified. (Obviously, I don't remember the whole scenario.)

My point is, you need to be aware of and protective of, your social needs if you take the position. This is a biggie. Books, radio, TV, internet...don't meet the social needs of the animal you are. Be aware of this.



Be well and safe.
 
Shappa's right--beautiful area over there. I love Eureka. Not the best place if you find fog depressing though, lol.
 
Shappa - The land is right between Miranda and Garberville. I've been out there twice in the past year, helping to get the project started.

The weed issue is essentially completely resolved. Any problems now would be from neighbors making there way on the land, but we know most of them and I don't think it is an issue.

Social animal? I agree completely and this is one of my bigger concerns. I would be out there by myself. My plan is to get a part time job at a coffee shop or something, couple of days a week. Purely to meet people and talk to human beings.

I'd also plan on heading up to Eureka/Arcata once a week to resupply and get to know the area. I'd hope to enroll in some kind of class too, maybe once a week up there, for learning and socializing.

Just how bad is the rainy season? I've heard everything from 'unbearable' to 'not that bad at all, actually.' So, I really have no idea .... :D

I would plan on having at least two months off during the rainy season, just to get the hell out of there and go visit family, friends, Mexico? ....


Satori - I did see your pictures in the thread you put up, and thought to myself at the time that it looked very similar to what my daily grind would be.
:D

~ B
 
Bamboo said:
I would be out there by myself. My plan is to get a part time job at a coffee shop or something, couple of days a week. Purely to meet people and talk to human beings.
Click to expand...

The key is to have an extended family of sock puppets.
:rolleyes: ;) :D
 
The rain isn't that bad. You do get nice days between storms. What area wil you be coming from?
Garberville is a small town...2,000 or so. California Highway Patrol sub-station there so watch your speed when in the area.
From Garbarville to Eureka is about an hour and a half drive. From Miranda of course it's about 10-15 minutes less. Gas prices in Eureka are the highest in the state. Garberville might be slightly less. Prices right now are about 2.26 for standard unleaded.
In the first week-end of August is the "Regae on the river". Thousands come from all over for a three day festival. A lot of garberville shuts down over that week-end. If it's not locked up it will be stolen...sometimes even if it is. :mad:
It's a beautiful area with it's own sub-culture of pot growers.
 
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