The Workamper Show Podcast Greg Gerber

Today I will be interviewing a woman who operates a ranch in north central New Mexico. She’s looking for a Workamper to help the staff run the center, which promotes natural healing and natural building.



Las Caraneras Canyon Ranch is located on 80 acres of land near Las Vegas, N.M. It is operated by Meleah and Jordan Hosea, who moved to the area from California a little more than seven years ago.



Jordan has been studying and practicing natural building for 20 years, mostly emphasizing in super adobe construction using earthbags. Meleah has an extensive knowledge of medicinal plants and companion planting.



The ranch is home to horses, chickens and migrating birds. It is completely self-sufficient and the couple grows around 50 varieties of herbs, fruits and vegetables, along with 300 sunflowers. They have created a sustainable permaculture environment which supplies local restaurants and food trucks with organic produce.



The couple needs a Workamper to work about 10 hours a week helping with the garden and tending the animals as well as assisting with some light construction activities using equipment that creates earthbag structures.



It’s far from a desert area that most people envision when they think about New Mexico. The ranch is in a wooded area at an elevation of 6,800 feet.



The job is a great opportunity for someone who loves dogs and animals, likes to grow food and wants to learn about natural building and growing natural medicines.



At the moment, there is no financial compensation, but that could change. However, Workampers do get a free RV site.



This is a relatively new Workamping position with lots of variety in what will be done during the 10 hours a week the Workamper or couple will be working.



For example, the Workamper will be building garden boxes, erecting fencing, helping to build a carport, installing solar panels, landscaping, trimming trees, establishing a fire containment line around this property, planting trees, watering crops and, potentially, delivering produce to vendors in Las Vegas, N.M.



The Workamper will need to be physically fit and capable of some heavy lifting. Experience in gardening and farming is a plus, as is light construction experience, such as using a table saw and drill press. Meleah admits it is probably not a good fit for a family with small children.



Considered to be the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico is well known for its stunning sunsets. The ranch is 45 minutes from Santa Fe and an hour and a half from Albuquerque and Taos, both of which are popular vacation destinations rich in history and scenic beauty.



The ranch itself is located in an isolated area 20 minutes from the nearest city, which is Las Vegas, N.M.



Meleah is hiring a Workamper right now, either a couple or solo, to work this summer. For more information, visit www.lascaranerascanyonranch.com or email her at meleahhosea@gmail.com.



Today's episode is sponsored by The Dreamer’s Journey, it is an online course and community produced by Workamper News. Life is way too short to keep your dreams on hold, so don’t be held back by fear because you were designed for more!  Get started in the RV lifestyle the right way with this comprehensive guide.



For just $29.95 for one year of access, Dreamers have unlimited viewing of 50-plus videos to learn things like what type of RV to buy, goal setting, how to budget for the adventure, developing a positive mindset, setting up a domicile and operating a small business on the road, plus everything about Workamping and how to find the right job for you. Each video is 30-90 minutes long to give in-depth coverag...

Today I will be speaking with a woman who works as a functional nutritionist to help people regain and maintain a diet necessary to enjoy a long and active life.



Frankie Leigh is the founder of Radiate Wellness. It is an online platform devoted to helping people understand the underlying causes of what makes them feel less than optimal. The firm addresses things like gut health, hormonal health and digestive concerns to help people get to the bottom of what is preventing them from enjoying the quality of life they desire.



In her own journey toward better health, Frankie found there were a lot of gaps regarding the type of information available to help people understand how to better take care of themselves. There are a lot of specialists who focus on one area of the body, such as gastro-intestinal health, but the specialists don’t communicate well with one another to improve a patient’s overall health.



Frankie wanted to make nutrition the cornerstone of a healthy life. As a functional nutritionist, she examines a person’s, diet, habits, lifestyle and routines to help develop an individualized plan to address their symptoms. A person’s problems may not be entirely due to lack of proper nutrition because other stressors in their lives may come in to play.



So, by analyzing lab results and listening to what patients are trying to describe, Frankie develops a plan to build a stronger foundation for their health and improve their overall immune system. One of the key services she offers is to help people better understand how their bodies work, but, more importantly, how their bodies communicate problems that need to be addressed.



It’s sometimes difficult for Workampers to maintain a healthy diet, especially when traveling. Frankie wants Workampers to not only live longer lives, but also to have the energy needed do to everything they want to experience.



I appreciated the tips Frankie provided to help ensure our gut works well with the rest of our body to deliver more nutrients to where they are needed. First, she suggested reducing the amount of cold foods eaten every day. Warm foods, like soups and cooked vegetables, help the gut breakdown food to absorb nutrients.



Next, reduce the amount of coffee consumed, especially in the morning. Frankie said coffee works to shut down digestive function because the acidity in it tells the gut there is no food coming, so it begins to shut down.



Frankie suggested buying whole and unprocessed foods directly from farmers markets or to get meats from the deli counter that are cut fresh that day without having a lot of preservatives incorporated into the foods.



By focusing food selections on periphery sections of the grocery store, rather than the cans and boxes in the middle, it can work to maintain a better diet. With eight out of 10 people experiencing bloating every day, working to get carbohydrates from vegetables and whole foods, rather than processed food, works to better control glucose levels in the bloodstream.



Workampers should also incorporate fish, nuts, seeds, avocados and even coconut into their diets because they deliver a lot of healthy fat the brain needs to function more efficiently.



There are lots of things people can do to ensure better health. They may need some testing to determine where there are deficiencies in their diets, and then follow a better plan to improve nutrition, cut stress and implement habits that ensure a healthier lifestyle. Frankie is happy to help people do that.



For more information and to connect with her, visit www.radiate-wellness.com.



Today’s episode is sponsored by Workamper News. With its Diamond and Platinum membership tools, Workamper News is much more than just a job-listing w...

Today I have a special episode of The Workamper Show because it contains an important message for all RVers, whether they are full-time or part-time. Are you sure you have enough insurance to cover your RV and personal belongings in the event of a catastrophic fire? I’ll be talking to a couple who thought they were covered, until a fire destroyed their RV in less than 15 minutes.



On Friday, Nov. 18, 2022, Chris and Michelle Small stopped at a rest area outside of Cactus City, Calif., while enroute to visit her family in New Mexico.



As Michelle was putting a leash on their dog, Chris went outside to check the engine fluids. That’s when he discovered the engine compartment of their 20-year-old diesel motorhome was on fire. He raced back to warn Michelle, who grabbed the dog and her purse.



Because the RV was a diesel pusher, that meant the engine was in the back, just below their bedroom. It also meant the engine was right above the tow hitch, which made it impossible for Chris to disconnect their tow vehicle before it burst into flames, too.



As the couple watched helplessly from a distance, the RV and tow vehicle erupted and burned to a shell in 15 minutes before the local fire department could arrive and douse the flames.



They were grateful to escape with their lives, their dog and whatever money Michelle had in her purse and Chris had in his wallet. Chris and Michelle were stranded in the middle of nowhere without a car, extra clothes, food or any of their belongings. But, their nightmare would get even worse.



Although USAA wrote the couple a check to cover their totaled car within days of the fire, it took nearly 13 weeks for a different firm which insured the RV to settle a claim on the motorhome.



The fire spread quickly and created toxic fumes and thick black smoke. So, the couple dared not venture back into the RV to even try rescuing important documents, personal belongings and cherished keepsakes.



Ironically, the couple had prepared “go bags” with everything they’d need for a few days in the event they had to suddenly evacuate a campground. However, the backpacks were inside the RV, and not in an outside compartment which they could have accessed easily before the fire spread.



So, that’s lesson one – prepare go-bags for emergencies, but place them in outside compartments.



Lesson two is to double check with your insurance company to make sure your policy covers personal belongings. Chris and Michelle made the mistake of thinking that full, comprehensive coverage would cover the RV and everything in it. However, they discovered after the fire that there was no coverage for contents in the motorhome, tow vehicle and the tow dolly itself. Chris also lost all the tools he used in his handyman business to help support their travel lifestyle.



The insurance agent who sold them the policy had offered them renter’s insurance, not RV insurance, because they did not own a home. The firm also requested copies of receipts showing the couple had purchased add-on products, like a futon and television. However, all their receipts and records were destroyed in the fire and no digital copies existed.



So, that’s lesson three – make sure you have digital copies of receipts and photographs of your belongings all stored in the cloud or away from your RV.



The Small’s also discovered that for less than $40 per month, they could have had a policy that would have covered all $50,000 worth of belongings. Sometimes it works to your disadvantage to try saving a little money on monthly premiums by excluding coverage and increasing deductibles. But, when a tragedy strikes, you’ll wish you had paid the extra money for a better plan.



Chris and Michelle could have kept their story to themselves and chalked up the incident to an unfortunate learni...

Today I will be interviewing a man who operates a high-tech RV community in Alabama and is looking for a long-term Workamper to help him keep it running smoothly.



I interviewed Ed Bridgeman, the founder of Homestead RV Community, a few years ago. He is a developer who is building high-tech RV communities around the country, but also owns one near Mobile, Ala.



He calls it the most technologically-advanced RV destination in the world. For example, when someone checks in or out of the site, the water and electric meters are automatically recorded so nobody has to drive out to get the numbers. His system automatically generates bills. People order products from the on-site store, which are delivered to the RV within minutes. The app sends messages to all residents about what’s happening that day, weather alerts and even what’s available for dinner.



Ed is a big advocate of RV communities, which are different from RV parks. He said RV parks are located along major highways. They are designed ror short-term stays and offer few amenities. RV communities are created for longer stays and offer the same types of amenities people may find in retirement or gated communities, such as high-speed, fiber-optic internet, larger spaces, and more recreation opportunities.



Homestead is a 20-acre RV community with 59 sites and will be adding another 100 sites soon. However, the smallest concrete pad is 20-feet-wide-by-70-feet-long. Its laundry facility is controlled by an app. Its showers are cleaned in minutes, and guests can even rent portable Jacuzzis. It is not a complicated operation, but it is sophisticated.



Ed is looking for a Workamper to learn how to operate the state-of-the-art reservation system and corresponding app as well as welcome guests and escort them to their sites. He also needs the Workamper to help maintain landscaping. He is planning several major renovations to the property, and is expecting to spend more time traveling as he develops other RV communities.



So, Ed is looking for someone he can trust to run the park during his absence in a way that retains the level of service which gives the community 230 Google reviews averaging 4.9 stars.



In return, the Workamper or couple would get a free site at the community, $150 of free electricity every month and a $300 monthly stipend during the 90-day training period. After that, the stipend would rise to around $1,500 per month. Ed predicts the Workamper would need to put in about 40 hours of work per week.



The technologically-sophisticated RV community has a lot of automation that make managing and maintaining it easy enough for one person to do alone in 40 hours a week. The workload could be split by a couple.



The key thing is that this is an opportunity for the right person to learn the sophisticated system and treat guests in a manner worthy of a five-star community.



If these type of RV communities are going to become the wave of the future, this sounds like a ground floor opportunity for someone to learn the intricacies of RV community management and work with Ed to expand the concept.



There are a lot of things for people to do in the area around Homestead RV Community when they aren’t working. The facility is only 20 miles south of Mobile, Ala., and 20 miles from Dauphin Island, a beautiful barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico. Homestead is one hour from Pensacola, Fla., and two hours from New Orleans.



If you are a self-starter who doesn’t require a lot of supervision after learning a new system, and you want an opportunity to be part of a new way of RV living, this may be the job you’re looking for. For more information, visit www.homervc.com.



Today’s episode is sponsored by Workamper News.

Today I will be interviewing a couple who has been Workamping for three years, but now recruits other Workampers to serve at the same RV park they call home.



Richard and Venita Peacock are both from east Texas. They got into the RV lifestyle at the urging of Venita’s sister and brother-in-law who started RVing in 2019. While Venita was intrigued, she didn’t think anything could get Richard to give up golfing. However, eventually, the couple sold their home on a golf course to pursuing RVing full time.



They have traveled to most of the southeastern states and even rode out Hurricane Sally when it arrived in 2020, something Richard discourages RVers from trying to do themselves. They live in a 42-foot Alliance Paradigm fifth wheel that has a built-in office or multipurpose room.



Having an RV that large has been challenging for Richard and Venita because all their trips must be planned to be sure they can get in and out of places they visit for food, fuel and fun. They have experienced some challenges, such as losing a sway bar on one trip.



During one of their first trips, they ran out of propane and woke up to a freezing RV, then they hit a protective barrier around a gas pump and even hit their garage when backing the RV. Although they wondered if they made the right decision to jump into the RV lifestyle, they persevered and are having a lot of fun today.



A half-mile boardwalk at The Boulders RV Park In Tyler, Texas, lets people enjoy the beauty of Lake Tyler.



Their Workamping experiences have been limited to working at The Boulders at Lake Tyler, an RV park near Whitehouse, Texas. They visited the campground early in their RV travels, fell in love with its beauty and amenities, and returned every year since. Richard and Venita love it so much they agreed to stay on indefinitely as Workampers.



The 238-acre lakeside RV park has an event center, for which Venita coordinates various activities taking place there, from weddings and business meetings to special events for campground guests. A unique fishing barge allows guests to drop a line from the comfort of a shaded space.



The park puts out corn every afternoon which attracts up to 40 deer. Because it’s off the beaten path, The Boulders is a family-friendly park where kids can fish, run or bike around without worrying about a lot of traffic.



The park rents pontoon boats, kayaks, golf carts and bicycles. Onsite food trucks provide things like barbecue, other snacks, coffee and sno-cones. The campground is relatively small with just 44 RV sites, four cabins and a few glamping tents and primitive tent sites as well. There are no seasonal sites and guests can stay a maximum of 14 days.



A half-mile boardwalk along the water allows people to really enjoy scenic Lake Tyler. There is even a boat launch and a few boat slips for campers to use. Although the park is open year-round, its peak season runs from March through October. The Boulders is looking for three more Workamping couples for the 2023 season.



Workampers at The Boulders at Lake Tyler don’t get paid; however, they do receive a free full-hookup RV site in exchange for 30 hours of work per couple, per week. That amounts to 15 hours per person. The park asks Workampers to make a six-month commitment.



Couples will often work on the same day, but may not work at the same time. For example one person may work the in the morning and the other during the afternoon or evening. That means a family with young children may be able to get a job at the park and still be able to watch their kids.



Most of the time, The Boulders tries to schedule people to work three days in a row and then take four days off. Workampers also have access to all the park’s amenities, including use of the pontoon boats, bicycles,

Today I will be speaking with a couple who is relatively new to Workamping. They are originally from Denver and now living in Savannah, Ga. In addition to Workamping, they are committed to helping couples strengthen their relationships as well as encouraging more African Americans to experience the RV lifestyle.



Craig and Sharon Butts started their RV adventure during the COVID situation. Living in a 39-foot 2003 Winnebago Chieftain motorhome, they have held Workamping jobs during nearly 70% of their time on the road.



Sharon is a high school English teacher and Craig works with computers when he is not serving as the director of a non-profit organization in Savannah called Unity in the Community. Consequently, they are part-time RVers who go out for weeks and months at a time before returning to their home.



They often take Workamping jobs to support their lifestyle when traveling so they can get free full-hookup campsites. As Workampers, they sometimes get a larger RV site as well.



Craig and Sharon started Workamping at Skidaway Island State Park, near Savannah, where they took care of the restrooms and campground. At the moment, they prefer to travel around Georgia and venture into Florida. However, they would really like to spend some time in New England, especially in the Washington, D.C. area.



Of all the benefits to the RVing and Workamping lifestyle, Craig and Sharon said meeting new people is by far their favorite aspect. RVing has a way of mellowing people out, something Craig said he appreciates as a self-described “high-strung” type of person. Being outside in nature helps people relax and release some of tension in their lives.



Craig noted that RVing can either strengthen relationships or work to expose weaknesses. He and Sharon host a weekly radio show, called Taking the Journey Together, which airs Saturday mornings from 9 to 10 a.m. on WRUU. They also host another show streaming live on Facebook and Roku Thursdays at 6 p.m. on the All Things Relevant Network. In each episode, they discuss different elements of a thriving and healthy relationship.



I appreciate Craig and Sharon Butts for sharing their stories about part-time Workamping. Too often, we feature only full-time RVers, but there are a lot of teachers, like Sharon, who invest their summer breaks exploring different parts of America.



Craig encourages people to do a lot of research before jumping into the RV lifestyle. He personally watched hours of YouTube videos to learn about RVs and the various systems on board. When he saw a motorhome pop up on Facebook Marketplace at a price that was too good to be true, he and Sharon decided to stop planning to go RVing “someday” and take the leap of faith to get started.



They changed the flooring, added new lighting and fans, brought in some new furniture, swapped out the TV for a fireplace, and added blackout shades for a bit more privacy. After updating some of the wall colors, they created a cozy atmosphere that suits their lifestyle.



Craig and Sharon have experienced a few challenges as well. The electricity was rather unstable at one of their campgrounds due to an approaching hurricane, which caused them to rely on their generator for power. Craig also made a strong case for a quality surge protector to ensure a sudden power outage or surge doesn’t damage electrical components.



Later this spring, the couple will venture back up to Warthen, Ga., where they will serve as camp hosts at a campground owned by an African American couple. They were also approached by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers about serving at one of their campgrounds, which is an option they are considering, too.



Craig and Sharon are on a mission to encourage other African American families to enter the RV lifestyle. Ideally,