-----Original Message-----
From: Gary C. Dunn [mailto:caretaker@uswest.net]
Sent: Saturday, March 04, 2000 9:28 PM
To: Andy Clark
Hi Andy, thanks for the quick follow-up. Please post the following article
on
sanet-mg:
Living the Good Life, Rent-Free
Property caretaking has become increasingly popular in recent years.
With
theft and vandalism on the rise, many property owners, even in rural
locations, are finding that it's cost effective to find a caretaker to watch
over their property. Thea Dunn, editor of The Caretaker Gazette, has been
researching the field and found an increased demand, across the country, for
property caretakers.
More people than ever are looking for property caretaking opportunities.
They
have discovered that caretaking is an interesting and varied profession,
offering unique rewards. People wanting a lifestyle change, retirees seeking
a
second career, and city dwellers searching for new opportunities have
discovered caretaking. Many newcomers to the caretaking field have spent
their
entire lives in cities or suburban areas. They're motivated by the desire to
live a simple, rural life and enjoy the challenge of living in harmony with
nature. Successful caretakers are self-reliant types who enjoy an
independent
lifestyle, free from the constraints of a 9-5 job and the constant scrutiny
of
supervisors. Working independently, they manage their own time, take care of
the property and fulfill their caretaking responsibilities at their own
pace.
Caretaking can also be an inexpensive way to experience life in a specific
geographic area. Housing is provided by the landowner, enabling the
caretaker
to live rent-free without incurring rent or mortgage obligations. Caretaking
also enables people to leave the rat race behind, along with the crime,
pollution and other problems associated with urban blight.
On the landowner side, Dunn reports that a growing number of farmers,
ranchers, homesteaders, camps and nature preserves are utilizing the
services
of qualified caretakers. "The average age of American farmers is 55. There
are
a large number over 65 who will retire and have no sons or daughters who
want
to take over. They are increasingly turning to caretakers to maintain their
land." The benefits are significant: a good caretaker can ensure that
property
is cared for even when the owner is no longer able to do it himself - the
land
is preserved for future generations rather than being sold off to
developers.
Locations and responsibilities for caretaker jobs are as varied as the
landowners and caretakers themselves. Caretakers may be single persons,
couples or families. Landowners are not always individuals: nature retreats,
ecological preserves, camps, and national or state forests and parks also
employ caretakers. According to Dunn, "Depending upon the position and its
location, caretaking can give one an opportunity to work in dozens of areas,
among them: grounds keeping, land stewardship, farming, organic gardening,
forestry, ranching, animal husbandry and fisheries."
Caretaking can also be an inexpensive way to explore other areas of the
country before settling down in a specific location. A caretaker usually
lives
alone on the property of an absentee landowner. In this situation, the
ability
to function independently and fulfill one's responsibilities without daily
guidance and instruction from the landowner are important qualifications.
Although a love of nature, solitude, and the simple life is important,
having
hobbies and interests that can be pursued in what are often remote areas is
extremely helpful. Autonomous caretaker positions may include winterkeepers
at
lodges and camps, managers for "gentleman" farmers and ranchers, or
caretakers
of resort properties during off seasons.
While many landowners seek experienced caretakers with specific skills,
others
are willing to take on and train people with general backgrounds. As with
most
other occupations, such traits as honesty, common sense, and flexibility are
key prerequisites. For those who do not yet own a piece of land of their
own,
caretaking enables them to learn the self reliance and survival skills that
will enable them to be prepared when they do acquire their own property.
Many
people find that caretaking evolves into a lifelong career. With solid
backgrounds in caretaking and excellent references from previous employers,
they are in great demand by landowners and are able to find positions
throughout the U.S..
How does one get started in caretaking? Where does a landowner go to find
caretakers? Dunn will send a free report that answers these and other
questions to any of your readers who send her a large self-addressed,
stamped,
envelope. (The report discusses caretaking from both the landowner and
caretaker perspectives.)
The Caretaker Gazette
E-mail: caretaker@caretaker.org
http://www.caretaker.org
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