CARETAKING: REALIZATION OF COUNTRY DREAMS ©1999
from the Caretaker Gazette

Caretaking property has become an increasingly popular career in recent years. Thea Dunn, editor of The Caretaker Gazette, has been researching the field and recently wrote a special report about this emerging trend. She says, "Many people are discovering that caretaking can be an interesting and varied profession, offering unique rewards. People desiring a lifestyle change, retirees seeking a second career, and downsized corporate employees searching for new job opportunities have discovered caretaking." Recent college graduates, unable to find employment in their field, realize that caretaking is a challenging and fulfilling occupation. 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. According to Dunn, "For those who are connected with the Earth but don't own land, caretaking is an ideal career." Caretaking can also be an inexpensive way to experience life in a specific geographic area. Housing is usually provided by the landowner, enabling the caretaker to live rent-free without incurring rent or mortgage obligations.

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 53. 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. Dunn says, "In most cases, the landowner's unique body of knowledge about the land and wealth of experience are passed onto others."

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: groundskeeping, land stewardship, farming, organic gardening, forestry, ranching, animal husbandry and fisheries." A caretaker may live 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.

Alternatively, a caretaker may live and work with a landowner on a day-to-day basis. Depending upon the length and closeness of the relationship that develops between landowner and caretaker, these positions sometimes lead to partnership arrangements. Landowners may be homesteaders who are seeking a person to join them and participate in their efforts, retirees who need an extra pair of hands to help them out on their property, or farmers and ranchers requiring general and specialized workers. Other caretaking positions, such as those located on resorts, nature preserves, or hunting and fishing lodges, require frequent interaction with guests.

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. 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?

Subscribe to The Caretaker Gazette
PO Box 540
River Falls, WI 54022-0540 USA
(715) 426-5500

caretaker@caretaker.org