What to Expect During a Farm Stay

You might be wondering what you can expect from your farm stay vacation. The answer is as varied as the farms themselves... from luxurious B&B style accommodations, to roughing it in a tent, and almost anything in between. The great news is, you're sure to find a vacation that perfectly suits your group.

SIGHTS

As you arrive at the working farm, ranch, or vineyard where you've chosen to stay, you might see animals in a field; large equipment, like tractors or harvesters; acres of orchards or other crops; silos and barns; and fences. Lots of fences. Or, you might not see much more than a gate and more road (perhaps unpaved) to follow before reaching your accommodations.

Don't be intimidated by a closed gate! You're supposed to be there, so just remember this very important rule: leave the gates how you found them. If the gate at the road is closed, open it and drive through, and then close it behind you. If it's standing open, then come on in and leave it open. This rule will apply throughout the property on almost every farm and ranch. Be conscientious about this, or you just may find yourself herding wayward beasts!

Checking in won't necessarily be a formal process like it is at a hotel, where you approach a person behind a desk. Perhaps at some of the larger ranches it will be, but on many farms you're looking for the farmer, a family member, or other worker to let them know you've arrived. Be sure to carefully read all of the information your host sends you before your arrival, so you'll know where to go and what to do first. Please adhere to the check-in times your hosts have indicated.

SMELLS

The smells on a farm are unique, but we don't think they're offensive. No, not even the smell of manure. Depending on when and where you go, you might also smell fresh-cut hay; blossoms on a fruit tree; mulch composting; and various by-product smells of the work being done around the farm. Maybe even... apple pie?!

CLOTHING & SHOES

At the very least, closed-toe shoes are a must. You might want to bring muck boots or other sturdy shoes or boots that you won't mind getting dirty. Your hosts may also provide some "left-behind" boots from prior guests - but don't count on it. It would be best to check with them about the type of footwear that works best on their farm or ranch. Your clothing should depend on whether you choose to lend a hand with some of the chores. Light layers, sun hats, long sleeves and pants, and nothing you wouldn't want to get dirty. Pretty hand-knit sweaters are great for your Instagram moments, but then it's best to switch to an old sweatshirt before the real work begins!

Tip: Find out from your hosts whether there are laundry facilities for you to use during your stay.

 

PETS

While there are quite a few farm stays where you can bring pets, it's best to double check and be sure that this is appropriate for you and your pet. There may be other dogs on site; large livestock; and various hazards around the property.

On a smiliar note, remember that many farm dogs are working guard or herding dogs, and may not behave the same way a family pet would.

 

FOOD

This is going to vary wildly. You might get three home-cooked meals a day around the family table, or you might be left to your own devices in your accommodation's kitchen. You may be free to supplement your meals with produce from the garden and eggs from the hen house, or you may be expected to buy these extra items. You may make your meals in a regular kitchen, over a campfire, or in a wood-fired oven (pizza!). Your hosts will give you the full run-down on what you'll want to bring and what you can obtain at the farm or nearby.

Remember, some farms and ranches are miles from town, so you won't necessarily want to run out to the store for that one thing you forgot.

 

CHORES

To work, or not to work? Unless expressly indicated as part of your stay agreement, you are not required to do chores. However, most farm, ranch, and vineyard stays are delighted for you to show an interest in their daily work. Please feel free to offer to lend a hand if you are so inclined, and follow your hosts' directions. You are likely to be able to do things like collect eggs, feed chickens, brush horses or donkeys, harvest crops, or milk goats or cows. Driving a tractor is not as likely. Some cattle operations allow guests to help with cattle drives or sorting, other farms may not let you ride their horses. It just depends on what they - and their insurance providers - have decided is safe for their guests.

Your hosts also want you to relax and have fun, so it'll be up to you how much or how little you want to pitch in! If you'd rather sit on the porch with a book and a glass of wine, or go for a hike on your own, that's absolutely fine too.

Don't be surprised if you and your group are left alone for much of your stay - these are working operations, and your hosts will be busy, but they will also probably have a routine and be available for guests who want to participate in the farm life.

There are so many activities and sights and sounds and new experiences to be had on a farm, ranch, or vineyard stay - what will you choose? Check out our listings and see where they lead you!

Source: farmstayus.com

Why You Should Have Online Video Conferencing Regularly

Online video conferencing has taken organizations by storm. Many companies are exploiting this technology to their advantage. There are still many businesses unaware of the potential of video conferencing. Here’s why your IT department should conduct online conferencing for IT regularly using services like Blue Jeans.

Flexible Workplace

Online video conferencing improves workplace flexibility. A study done by global workplace analytics as reported on PC mag shows that there is 3.7 million U.S. workforce working from home half the time. Video conference has changed the traditional office and provides the flexible work timings where employees can spend time with their families and children and yet grow professionally. This trend allows employers to employ professional people outside the geographical boundaries. Working remotely allows businesses to connect quickly with their IT employees to seek professional advice from anywhere in the world.

Increased Engagement

Research shows that people usually multi-task during a phone call rather than a video call. Video conference is more engaging and offers visuals allowing companies to understand their customers and employees better. Businesses can also ensure that employees are paying attention during the conference. As majority of the people are visual learners, it is a compelling case for video conferencing.

Increased Productivity

One of the ways to increase productivity is to share a screen. It helps you save time rather than sending huge files over emails. Screen sharing keeps the team engaged as it allows everyone to be in sync. There is no chance for miscommunication and loss of details. As the entire team is participating, listening, and contributing, it helps increased productivity.

Improved Communication

Online video conferencing fosters better communication and team experience as the meetings can be conducted any time and anywhere with various tools to improve communication. People can share their progress real-time and keep the current status of the project updated. They can also discuss projects, get training to upgrade their skills, and go through performance reviews and have group study circles.
The collaborative notes, video streaming, and other advanced technologies provide a wealth of experience and take collaboration to a new height which no other communication mode can match.

Quality Leads

Having regular meetings with customers help them to understand your products better, and your presentation will stay on top of their mind. It will help generate more leads and also assist in increasing the lead quality. As people attend your meetings since they express interest in your product, you will be readily getting more information about their contacts, demographic data, psychographic information since the customers have committed their time to learn. You can convert these prospective customers into fans by taking this chance and providing value.

Content Marketing

Video conferencing can be used to deliver content as visual, and an interactive material is the trend of the content marketing. Utilizing webinars and recordings to distribute valuable content can be the best way to attract customers. According to the Institute of content marketing, 66 percent of B2B marketers was of the opinion that webinars are successful form of content marketing while 62 percent said that videos are the most efficient method of content creation.

Establish As a Thought Leader

It provides an opportunity for you to establish as a leader in that category. With informative and unique webinars, you can create a buzz in the marketplace with your unique IT concepts and establish yourself as a brand where people want to listen to you. Once people find value in the content you deliver, more people will start listening to you on a regular basis and start converting giving you more business.

New Opportunities

You can use it for bringing in new guests as your partners to promote your services and products. It can have high effect in building a good relationship with the audience. You can also have a strategic partnership with them, which can help you increase number of customers. It will help you to bring new content to the public and increase your brand exposure, which will ultimately lead to more business.

Fine Tune Your Message

Due to real-time feedback visually from the audience on the level of the engagement, your message can be customized and improved to resonate with the public. It helps you deliver the better message and adapt to the circumstances. You can quickly figure out working system. You can assess yourself and your presentation skills, which will give you scope to improve, making yourself better with each passing conference.
In conclusion, it is now a necessity to hold regular video conferences with employees and customers to stay on top of people’s minds and drive organization’s goals and services in this competitive market. It is the best technology that can help you grow by keeping in touch with all the stakeholders of your business all the time.

Source: conferencingadvisors.com

The Basics of Video Conferencing for Small Businesses

Modern business operations share the same dilemma: time is gold. When time is leveraged, productivity and output may increase. On the bright side, technology continues to provide businesses with new tools to help manage time effectively particularly during meetings wherein most of the time are spent on.
Video conferencing could prove to be one of the most important time leveraging business tools of the 21st century. Video conferencing is changing the landscape of how businesses communicate. Advanced tools you can use today lets you connect multiple parties across multiple continents - in real time with excellent and high quality video and audio.

How did Video Conferencing Start?

Video conferencing may technically be said to have originated in the 1970s. Early proponents of video conferencing technology had no standards or protocols to rely on. This fact made a teleconference via video an expensive proposition. In fact, only huge companies and government agencies made use of this tool.
Today, affordable networks and systems are readily available, which is why businesses, big or small, have started incorporating this tool within their operation and cut down on time spent on meetings with clients you usually travel across the border for.

How Video Conferencing Works?

A video teleconference highly depends on the equipment and network capabilities. This is why it’s crucial to choose the right provider for your business .

Since real-time video contains a tremendous amount of data, it is a must that the system used should be able to handle a high amount of bandwidth. On the bright side, video conferencing systems are designed to "sample" and "compressed”.

It is the job of your system provider to ensure that your video and audio is delivered clearly throughout the participants. But of course, there are still a number of factors that can affect your video conference’s performance like internet connection speed, hardware specs, etc.

There are so many video conferencing systems offered in the marketplace today. Before closing any deals, consider the following so you can narrow down your choices:

How will you be using video conferencing? Determine the maximum video conference scenario you will be utilizing to narrow down bandwidth and equipment requirements.

How large is the meeting room where you plan to conduct video conferences? Camera capabilities will depend on the size of the room and number of people involved.

What network will your video conference be hosted? Determine the capabilities of your network before deciding on any one specific video conferencing solution.

As more businessness experience the value in video conferencing as a time and money-saving tool, the technology will become more necessity than luxury. The age of the video conference has just begun!

How to Retain a Divorce Attorney if You Are Low-Income

Whether you want to begin divorce proceedings or have been served with marriage dissolution documents from your spouse, low-cost services and attorneys are available to assist you in handling your own divorce or who will represent you throughout the process.

Starting the Process

Divorce proceedings can be very expensive; advance retainers of $5,000 or more and hourly fees of $300 are not uncommon. Unless you have substantial savings and a good income, high-priced legal counsel is likely out of your range. However, a number of attorneys and other legal service agencies can help you.

If you have been in a short marriage, usually less than 5 years in duration, have no children or substantial assets, and the divorce is uncontested, you may be able to use truncated or summary procedures that enable you and your spouse to obtain a divorce for not much more than the court filing fees. Most counties provide forms on their sites for downloading for free and offer questionnaires and information to see if you qualify for the summary proceedings. If not, retain an attorney with fees within your means of income, or use a legal services company to help you prepare the forms for a few hundred dollars.

Finding Legal Services

• Local or state bar associations
• Legal aid offices
• Attorneys who advertise as low-income divorce attorneys
• Obtaining court-ordered attorney’s fees

Many local bar associations maintain lists of divorce attorneys who charge low hourly fees or set fees at reduced rates. You may also obtain assistance in responding to divorce papers or in starting an action from free or low-cost legal aid offices. These offices can refer you to attorneys who, in some circumstances, will represent low-income clients either at no-cost or at greatly reduced fees.

Many lawyers who advertise low-cost divorce services are experienced and competent attorneys. Before retaining an attorney based on an advertisement, however, do your due diligence and learn about the attorney’s credentials and reputation in the legal community by researching them in the legal directory, Martindale-Hubbell, and your local bar association Web site. In some cases, attorneys may only charge you a nominal fee upfront if there is a reasonable chance a court will award you attorney’s fees, especially if your spouse has a greater income.

If you have children, you may have issues of custody, visitation, and child support that you should not attempt to handle on your own. With some research, you can retain a skilled divorce attorney despite your low-income status who will competently represent you throughout the divorce process.

Source: attorneys.com

The Basics of Accounting for Small Businesses

 

In today's competitive market, there are many strategies to get ahead and grow your company's profit margin. In order to properly grow your company, you'll need to understand the basics of both accounting and bookkeeping and how they interrelate to help your business. Follow along as FindLaw takes you through the basics of accounting for your small business.

Bookkeeping vs. Accounting

Bookkeeping and accounting are often mistaken as serving the same purpose. In the larger sense, this is correct, as both bookkeeping and accounting aim to assist businesses grow in a financially responsible manner. However, when you take a closer look, you'll see that bookkeeping and accounting are two separate tasks which share a symbiotic relationship. 

Bookkeeping primarily entails:

• the systematic recording of all of the business' financial transactions
• accurately extracting financial information from business transactions in a form that can be analyzed for issues related to taxes, financial reporting, and the financial position of the business

Accounting generally encompasses:

• interpreting the data provided by the proper recording and extraction of financial information
• providing financial advice about the business' present and future direction

For ease of reference for this basic overview of business accounting, we'll refer to bookkeeping and accounting as the single idea of accounting, as they share the same goal and contain overlap in the duties typically assigned to them.

Maintaining Accurate Records

Much of accounting consists of the non-glamorous "grunt" work of taking your expenses and revenues and systematically and meticulously entering them into your records. You must faithfully keep each receipt and record all financial transactions, including payments received and expenses paid out by the business. You'll need to keep detailed records and keep receipts for at least four years (for tax purposes).

Through this information, you can create summaries of income and expenditures on a regular basis (daily, weekly, monthly) to give yourself a snapshot of the financial state of your business at any particular time and to chart its progress.

The General Ledger

A general ledger is the single document that presents a record of revenues and expenses, and every financial transaction will make its way onto the ledger. It serves as a permanent record of the business' financial dealings and progress. Every important financial document related to the business, such as balance sheets and profit and loss statements, are derived directly from the general ledger.

Sub-Ledgers 

There are also sub-ledgers, which eventually make their way into the general ledger as well. For example, you might have an accounts payable sub-ledger where you log every outgoing check. Once the check is deposited by the recipient, that information is inputted (or "posted") into both the sub-ledger and general ledger.

Updating Your Ledger

Next, you'll have to take that information and post it to the ledger(s). You don't have to post to the ledger after every transaction, but you should do so at regular intervals which are appropriate for your business.

How frequently you post to the ledger will be determined by the amount of business you generate on a regular basis. Large clothing retailers and restaurants have a huge volume of sales and expenses on a daily basis and these transactions need to be recorded meticulously and then posted at the end of the day. On the other hand, if you have a lower volume business, you can probably post on a weekly or even monthly basis.

Your general ledger provides you with information with which you can accurately gauge your business' financial health and also provides a defense against an audit (either tax or other outside audit). You'll also want the record so that you can quickly find any discrepancies to resolve disputes with customers (for instance if you've double billed, you'll be able to see it).

Writing a Financial Report

The financial report is basically an analysis of the information provided by your record-keeping and ledger entries. You take the data and distill it into a form that helps you see where the business is making money, where cash flow needs to be improved, and the state of your capital investments.

A financial report can be one single document or several smaller documents, depending on your wishes and the needs of the business. Common reports include:

• Income statements, 
• Statements of capital, 
• Balance sheets, 
• Profit and loss statements, and
• Cash-flow statements.

Accounting Software 

The bookkeeping and accounting tasks outlined above can be done on your own, but with the easy availability of quality accounting software programs such as Quicken, you should seriously consider using those programs to help you in the task. The software can help you keep accurate records and create basic financial reports to ensure your business' security.

Have a Business Law Attorney Assist You

While the above information may seem relatively straightforward, accounting is a complicated subject matter. Ask a skilled business and commercial law attorney how to maximize your record keeping efforts in order to comply with tax laws and otherwise. 

Source: smallbusiness.findlaw.com

The best places for powder snow in Japan

Jubilant “woo-hoos” ring in the crisp air as snowboarders send plumes of powder flying against the cloudless sky of Sahoro, a village 179 kilometres east of Sapporo. The thrill of deep-powder gliding is written all over the faces of four friends from Indonesia who have arrived for a week of snowboarding on what they describe as “soft clouds of icing sugar.”

Dewa and Horace from Indonesia show off their snowboarding skills.

The insanely fluffy bliss that powder hounds find so addictive is found in stupefying abundance on Japan’s northernmost island. The secret to Hokkaido’s delightfully dry, weightless snow is a weather system that pushes extremely cold air across the Sea of Japan from Siberia, guaranteeing at least 100 days of snow every winter.

This is Hanabi Ishikawa’s first time to Sahoro.

Japan’s mountains might not compare to the Alps or the Rockies, but Hokkaido compensates by offering the most reliable ski season in the world, with certain resorts averaging 18 metres of snowfall annually.

Consistently good snow conditions on the mountains make Hokkaido a mecca for ski bums.

Private playground

The best-quality powder is arguably found in Niseko, one of the snowiest places on earth. In the direct path of flurries from Siberia, Niseko is blanketed by about 20 metres of champagne powder annually.

A fun way to hike Hokkaido in the winter is by snowshoeing.

Offering superb off-piste skiing for the more advanced skier as well as groomed trails for those of all ability levels, Niseko is known as Japan’s ‘café latte resort,’ being the only ski village where a gaijin (foreigner) can walk into a café and order a latte in English. In the smaller resorts off the beaten tourist track, you’ll be lucky to find anyone who speaks English, much less a latte.

The breakfast buffet at Club Med Sahoro offers a mix of Japanese and Western fare.

Hokkaido’s lesser-known powder playgrounds such as Sahoro are legend among downhill ski bums but – for the time being – they remain hidden beneath the mass tourism radar.

Robel Zemichael is a ski instructor at Club Med Sahoro.

“Skiing here is like having a private resort all to yourself. The slopes and lifts are never crowded,” says Ethiopian-born ski instructor Robel Zemichael from the US. After eight seasons working as a ski instructor at Club Med Sahoro, he has a special fondness for Hokkaido’s mountains. “What they lack in steepness they make up for in variety and powder quality.”

Daisuke (on left) shows the ropes of the slopes to Indonesians Efendi, Horace, Dewa, and Rudi, who are in Sahoro for a week of snowboarding fun.

Home of ramen

The après scene in Japan is quieter than in Europe or North America. A winter holiday in Hokkaido revolves around three activities: powder skiing, onsen-soaking, and eating – in that order. Ramen, soba noodles, crab and other seafood delicacies are the local specialties.

Many tourists have the misconception that Japan is an expensive country, but for skiers it is surprisingly affordable. Lift tickets are cheaper than in Europe, and the further you venture off the beaten track, the less expensive things get. A one-day mountain pass typically costs around 4,000 JPY (€30).

Two local girls eat takoyaki, Japenese street food made of fried octopus.

The most famous Japanese soba (buckwheat) noodles come from Hokkaido! 

 

But what ultimately keeps pulling skiers back to Hokkaido is its diverse offering. Whether it’s the delight of weaving through knee-deep powder or luxuriating in off-snow pleasures such as onsen baths, resorts like Sahoro tick all the boxes for an ichiban (number 1) winter experience.

Powder to the people

There’s space to spare for every skier in Hokkaido, which has a population of five million people spread across a land mass the size of Austria. Sapporo’s international airport is an excellent gateway to all major resorts, which cater to every taste and budget.

Visitors to Sahoro in Shintaku Town enjoy the local flavours during a travel expo.

Niseko for night life

Combining four resorts, Niseko is Japan’s largest and most international ski destination. Located 100 km southwest of Sapporo, it is famous for its powder, tree skiing, and night life. English is widely spoken.

Solitude in Sahoro

Smaller Sahoro has only two hotels, the Sahoro Resort Hotel, and all-inclusive Club Med Sahoro. The slopes are crowd-free, offering outstanding off-piste skiing for advanced skiers and snowboarders.

Three-peak Rusutsu

A golf resort and amusement park in summer, Rusutsu is magically transformed into a world-class powder paradise when winter arrives. The frozen rollercoaster is a popular backdrop for selfies.

Family-friendly Furano

Furano appeals to kids with its long, well-groomed runs, and high-speed lifts. The town caters to English-speaking guests, yet preserves its local authenticity. Ski passes are free for kids 12 or younger.

Vegas vibe in Tomamu

A kitsch extravaganza, glitzy Tomamu has a 50-metre wave pool, glamorous hotel towers and plenty to keep the little ones entertained. The 145-hectare resort also offers superb terrain for powder hounds.

Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival

Colourfully lit ice sculptures line the shore of Lake Shikotsu during this month-long festival in Shikotsu-Toya National Park, about 40 minutes from Sapporo. The sculptures are created by spraying layers of lake water and letting it freeze. Fireworks and Wadaiko drum performances set a festive mood on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

29 January–21 February 2016

Sapporo Snow Festival

A tradition dating back to 1950, the former Winter Olympics host city is transformed into a winter wonderland for a week every February with hundreds of snow statues and ice sculptures filling Odori Park and the main drag in Susukino.

Why not spend Easter at a farmstay?

Going away on a holiday over the Easter break is almost a given for any Australian.

 

The congestion on the roads will start Thursday afternoon and rev up again late Tuesday as people reluctantly head back home again. For many they will often head to the same destination; that favourite little corner of the country where they will relax and unwind, spend precious time with family and eat way too much chocolate.

For us we would visit the same farm every year; 500 acres just out of Kyneton in Central Victoria. It became a ritual, almost like a second home, and every year we would do exactly the same things. The familiarity of it all was comforting, like the home cooked farm fresh food, the linen table cloth, the old wood-fired stove and the same farm animals greeting us year after year.

For those who haven’t experienced a farmstay, then perhaps this Easter is the time to do it.

 

There are many websites you can search, such as Farmstays Australia, that will give you a list of different properties offering up their hospitality for people needing a break. Often frequented by overseas visitors wanting a ‘taste of Australia’, they are also popular with families with younger children and those wanting to have a break from the city.

Easter was quite easily my favourite holiday of the year, particularly because I was longing to live on a farm and own a horse of my own. By the time I was 14 this had become a reality, but in the meantime, these five days were the highlight of my year and moments that I longed for again as soon as the break was over.

Each farmstay will vary in the way it houses its guests. Some will have elaborate Bed and Breakfast style set ups, others you will sleep in the old shearer’s quarters, some may have a converted barn or self-contained cottages. 
  

Some properties will even offer the opportunity to camp or stay in the house with the family.

 

There are plenty of farmstays on offer, so it is easy to take your pick based on your preferences.

You can spend your weekend relaxing or alternatively help out on the farm. Activities will vary, depending on the property and the location, so as well as what is going on around the farm you may also find plenty to do if you explore the local region.

To really experience farm life it is great to get involved. Depending on the property you could be mustering cattle, feeding out hay, picking fruit, collecting eggs, feeding animals, helping out with the shearing, fixing fences, drenching livestock, grooming horses or helping pull a calf!

As well as all the farm work you might take a relaxing walk through the paddocks or the bush, sit on the verandah and read, fish in the river or dam, ride horses or sit out in the evening under a sky full of stars.

Wherever you decide it will be a holiday that you won’t easily forget, and one that I know you will just keep on revisiting, year after year.

Source: mouthsofmums.com.au