Vacation farm-sitters agency like 'a dating service for farmers'

With animals to feed and crops to watch over, it's not that easy for farmers to pack up and head out for a holiday.

But a new farm-sitting service makes it easier by linking landowners who need help with people willing to lend a hand, whether it's to allow farmers vacation time or to provide coverage during an injury.

The farm-sitting service, launched by a company called AgriConnect, cropped up in Alberta last fall and has now spread into Saskatchewan.

Company founder Frank Campbell says it's "almost a dating service for farmers."

Campbell says farm-sitters will put the two sides together, but it's up to them to get along and make the deal.

The service is free to the landowners and farm-sitters.

Compensation for the farm-sitting is worked out between the two parties — that could be monetary compensation, bartering or trading of services.