Another thing that I didn’t make clear is that I’m getting a hands-on education in organic farming. I edited the post so it’s more clear: Don and Daphne are always happy to answer questions, and take time out from their work to teach us everything from cheesemaking to the Latin names of flowers. I consider myself an unskilled laborer, and look at this as an apprenticeship-style relationship. Skilled workers would never and should never work for free, that ought to go without saying.

Also, those meals I mentioned are comprised of fresh organic produce and free-range meat/eggs/milk, which cost a pretty penny at the supermarket.

I definitely agree with you that farm workers are horribly underpaid. Nonetheless, I feel strongly that this is a good situation. I’m happier and healthier here than I ever was in the city, and I sleep better at night. I have no expenses and (almost) no bills, and I’m gaining skill and knowledge daily. This is not a standard farm-worker situation, please don’t regard it as such.