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 Expert
Posts: 1304
 
| I posted a few weeks/months ago regarding my career decisions. Graduating with my Masters of Ag in May 12th, this is the last week of classes, Friday is my oral exam (presentation and interview) with my committee members to graduate, and I start a new job next Tuesday with our university affiliated nonprofit research organization to help tackle Hep C due to the drug epidemic here in WV. Busy busy busy, but super excited about all of these opportunities unfolding, and I want to make a difference somehow here in WV. I do ultimately want to be in agriculture. I have some connections with the USDA and am continuing to apply to jobs as they open and hope to be working with them in the next few years. In the mean time, I've considered continuing to bartend maybe two nights a week for spending money OR doing something self employed on the side that would also look good on my resume getting an ag job. I've considered cleaning stalls or something that people need and don't necessarily want to do, that I could create my own schedule around and eventually have some business cards and regular clientele. So my question is, if I were to do something like this, what do you need help with with your horses or animals, etc that you would be willing to pay someone else to do? Thanks!! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 889
 
Location: on the fine line between insanity and geniusness | I used to have a girl that came in the afternoons that cleaned stalls, groomed horses, help saddle and unsaddle, etc. she was sure handy to have around. |
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 Tried and True
Posts: 21185
Location: Where I am happiest | We are obviously to far away but are looking for somebody right now to come and help with barn chores and property maintenance. Weeding, spraying, mowing, cleaning stalls and keeping the barns in order. I know a couple different people looking to find help like this. Also, we have to hire somebody to house sit and take care of the horses, dogs, cats, house and property when we are gone. Unfortunatelly we only know one person who can do this so us getting to leave actually depends on HER. If she's available or not. We pay her $50 a day to stay here and take care of the animals. High demand for someone to do this and not many that do it and are honest and reliable. |
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 Loves to compete
Posts: 5760
Location: Oakdale, CA | Ashley Lynn - 2017-04-26 12:10 PM I used to have a girl that came in the afternoons that cleaned stalls, groomed horses, help saddle and unsaddle, etc. she was sure handy to have around.
ditto!
also ranch babysitting.....................I'm going to go out of state for a few weeks and I have too many animals for the hubbs to take care (properly) of all of them. He has to work alot. |
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 That's White "Man" to You
Posts: 5515
| I wish I had someone to do sprinkler repairs. |
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Posts: 1440
Location: Texas | I travel a lot for work so I pay someone to feed for me twice a day! It was a challenge to find someone who was reliable and did what I asked them too. |
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Tried and True
Posts: 21185
Location: Where I am happiest | I came back to add.....As you can see there is a big demand for house/ranch/pet/livestock sitting. Everyone needs to get away at times and reliable honest people to do this are hard to find. There is a gal here who made a bonafide business doing this and she is booked out MONTHS in advance!! So we have a lady from our church that stays here when we go but she's not real horse smart but she's honest and we dont have to worry about her. She's able to feed and water the horses but cant move them around at all. You could start a small business doing this and you will stay busy and make decient money. Some places that you do will only want or need you to go once or 2x a day. You could double those with places that would like you to stay at their house like us simply because of our dogs mainly. Then you could be doing 2 or 3 at a time. |
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Loves to compete
Posts: 5760
Location: Oakdale, CA | so what is a fair way to pay someone......................like suggestions on how much? What do yall pay? |
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That's White "Man" to You
Posts: 5515
| I have a kid that feeds the dog and horses when we leave town $10 a day. He thinks it's awesome. |
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Tried and True
Posts: 21185
Location: Where I am happiest | We have a gal from our church that comes and stays here. We pay her $50. a day to take care of the dogs, feed the cats and horses. |
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Expert
Posts: 1304
| Awesome ideas. I actually do that for my grandparent's on their farm when they go to their beach house. The only issue is really staying because I have a dog myself! Unless they were ok with me bringing my dog. I actually used to feed a guy's beagles twice a day for him but he moved. It's definitely a good idea though, and I can obviously see the need for it! I even like to have someone I trust watch my dog instead of taking him to a kennel so I understand. I'm not tooting my own horn but I feel like I am good at event planning or at least the design aspects of it. I planned and made decorations for my sister's baby shower and I actually have my oral exam to graduate with my Masters today which took a lot of planning. I am probably doing too much regarding design, but I like for things to be perfect! Haha. So that's an idea as well. I'm very flexible, diverse, and a go getter so I'm pretty open to anything! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 959
Location: Texas | got boost? - 2017-04-27 5:05 PM
so what is a fair way to pay someone......................like suggestions on how much? What do yall pay?
We pay $50-100 a day depending on what they have to do. It is hard to get help and we pay them well! maybe I need to start a new business of my own. LOL |
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 Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | Be sure you take a notebook with you if you do end up "babysitting" a ranch. You'll be glad you took notes! It's great to not have to text questions to bother people while they are away. It's also great as an owner to only have to tell/show people what to do once and them get it right the first time. It also is a great way to earn repete business.
Be sure you ask questions and write down answers as well.
A few good question to ask are:
Who is your small and large animal vet?
Should I contact them in case of an emergency?
Are your animals allergic to anything in particular?
Is there a routine time your animals are used to being fed/watered?
Where is the breaker for the barn should I need to pull a breaker or flip a breaker in case of a power outage?
In case of an emergency are you considered a City Police response or County Sheriff response?
Can I have at least three forms of contact for you?
Is there another person you would like to list as an emergency contact?
Edited by IRunOnFaith 2017-04-28 11:54 AM
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 Dog Rescue Hero
Posts: 1660
Location: Oklahoma City OK | I know, as manager of the AgriBusiness Dept. at the OK State Fair, every year I need to locate good people to assist with the Horse and Livestock Show Offices and supervise a couple of our Agricultural venues. Someone of your skill set would be a huge asset to us - so I am sure that many other event producers/promoters would feel the same way. There's always a major horse/livestock show going on somewhere that is looking for temporary, seasonal qualified and knowledgeable help. Our "mother" Fair organization is the IAFE (International Association of Fairs and Expositions) and they have lists of upcoming Fairs, Agricultural events, etc., - you might want to check with some of the events and event producers in your area to see what positions they are seeking to fill. It's very hard to find good people that are available for a few days to a few weeks. |
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