Work as a Farm Caretaker, and Live Rent Free

If you've always wanted to farm, but aren't ready to buy a place of your own, learn the ropes as a farm caretaker. Best of all, you will live rent-free!

By Dale And Sandy Deraps
Updated on January 3, 2022
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by AdobeStock/Almgren
It's hard work taking care of a farm, but a great way to live rent-free doing what you love.

Are you ready to head for the country, but lack the $$ to buy or rent land? That was Dale and Sandy Deraps’ situation exactly… until a friend suggested that they caretake a farm.

You’ve probably heard of house-sitting, or living in–and looking after–a residence while its owner is on vacation.

Well, farm caretaking is somewhat similar… except that, in the kind of cases I’m talking about, the owner is always away, so you don’t have to worry about moving out in a couple of weeks or months. Plus, you get to see what farm life is all about–firsthand and close up–without having to invest thousands of dollars in your own “spread”.

Sound like a good deal? We thought so, after a friend of ours explained the idea to us. At the time we had just spent weeks gumshoeing around the backwoods in search of low-rent rural housing (to no avail), we were ready to try anything… and caretaking sounded like just the answer.

So, at a cost of around $100, we placed the following ad in various newspapers and county journals over a two-month period:

We will protect and maintain your farm property for the privilege of living there. Caretaking includes safeguarding adjacent outbuildings, livestock, equipment, crops, woods, roads, fields, and water systems. No utilities needed except on-site water and stovewood privileges. Must be no more than two hours’ driving time from St. Louis. Reply to Box__or call collect (314) 000-0000.

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