Farmer Guide

Finally, reliable help when you need to step away.

You’ve worked hard to build what you have. Whether it’s a small homestead or a working farm with dozens of animals, stepping away shouldn’t feel like a risk. BARNSITR connects you with experienced, vetted farm sitters who know livestock, understand the work, and show up when they say they will. This guide walks you through how the platform works and how to get the most out of it.

Finding the Right Sitter

Start by browsing sitter profiles in your area.

Each profile includes:

  • A bio describing their background and experience.
  • Photos of their work and the animals they’ve cared for.
  • Specialty tags — cattle, goats, poultry, horses, milking, medication administration, livestock birthing, and more.
  • Reviews from other farmers.
  • Availability calendar.

The Booking Process

  1. Browse profiles and find sitters that look like a good fit for your operation.
  2. Send a message through BARNSITR to introduce yourself and describe your needs.
  3. Schedule a video consultation. This is where you walk through the full scope of work — animal headcount, feeding schedules, stall mucking routines, pasture checks, egg collection, medication schedules, paddock rotation, any quirks specific to your animals or property. The more you share upfront, the smoother the job goes.
  4. Receive an offer. Based on the consultation, the sitter will submit their price for the job.
  5. Accept or counter. You’re in control of the final agreement. Review the offer and either accept it or submit a counteroffer.
  6. Confirm the booking. Once both sides agree, the job is confirmed through BARNSITR and you’re covered.

Preparing Your Sitter for Success

The best farm sitting experience happens when the sitter walks in prepared. Before your booking starts, make sure you’ve shared:

  • Daily routine — feeding times, quantities, animal locations, any animals that need to be separated.

  • Animal health notes — medications, dosages, schedules, any animals being monitored

  • Emergency contacts — your vet’s number, a neighbor who knows the property, how to reach you.

  • Property walkthrough — gate codes, water shutoffs, where feed and supplies are stored, any equipment quirks.

  • What “done” looks like — be specific about your expectations so there’s no ambiguity

The more context you give, the better the outcome. A good sitter will ask questions during the consultation — that’s a sign they’re paying attention.

We strongly recommend putting this information in writing. Whether it’s a simple PDF, a printed document left at the property, or a detailed email sent before the booking starts — a written reference gives your sitter something to fall back on if they forget a detail from your consultation or need to double-check a routine mid-visit. Animals don’t wait while someone tries to remember feeding quantities. A one-page farm sheet can prevent a lot of stress for everyone involved.

Pricing & Payment

All pricing is set by the sitter based on the scope of work discussed during your consultation.

Factors that typically affect price include:

  • Number and type of animals
  • Daily visit frequency and duration
  • Specialized care requirements (medications, bottle feeding, birthing watch)
  • Length of the booking
  • Travel distance for sitters coming from outside the immediate area

All payment is processed through BARNSITR via STRIPE. You will never be asked to pay a sitter directly in cash or outside the platform. If a sitter requests off-platform payment, please report it to us immediately.

Keep Everything on BARNSITR

This is important for your protection.

Every message, agreement, and payment that flows through BARNSITR is documented. That record exists to protect you if something goes wrong — a dispute over scope, an unexpected incident, a billing question. When things move off-platform, that protection disappears and BARNSITR has no ability to step in on your behalf.

We ask that all communication and payment stay within the platform. It’s a simple rule that exists entirely for your benefit.

What to Expect During the Booking

A good sitter will check in with you proactively — photos of your animals, a quick update mid-visit, a note if anything looks off. You should feel informed without having to chase them down.

If anything comes up during the booking — a health concern, a property issue, a question — your sitter should be reaching out to you through BARNSITR messaging in real time.

Leaving a Review

After your booking is complete, you’ll be prompted to leave a review. Please do. Your honest feedback helps other farmers make informed decisions and helps great sitters build the reputation they’ve earned. If a sitter went above and beyond — or if something fell short — say so. This community runs on trust, and reviews are how that trust gets built.

Questions?

If you have questions about a booking, a sitter, or anything on the platform — we’re here. Contact BARNSITR Support at Info@Barnsitr.com

BARNSITR — Connecting farms with people who care.