Shacky, a new startup in Australia is introducing holiday tiny houses for farmers which could give them an additional income.
The project is founded by 25-year-old Netherlands native Joep Pennartz founded Shacky after he discovered the hardships of the farmers in the area when he moved there last year.
“Financial stress from decreasing farm income leads to rising depression rates, an ageing farmer population, and farmers leaving their land,” Pennartz said according to Domain.
“Having worked for a large dairy firm in The Netherlands I know (a bit) about how hard the life of a farmer could be and I just couldn’t stop thinking of ways how to change this.”
Shacky's concept is to place the tiny houses in rural areas wherein farmers can earn from it through renters who will lease the space for their holiday accommodation.
Pennartz also said that aside from generating an alternative income for the farmers, it can also offer guests the experience of living in a tiny house with the beautiful farms in Australia.
Users or occupants of the tiny house are allowed to "test drive" it prior to committing to its lifestyle fulltime because not everyone is suitable to live in a tiny house.
“Having a holiday in a tiny house, however, gives you the opportunity to experience tiny living, and perhaps take a few things from this experience and implement them into your life,” Pennartz said.
To start the project, the first Shacky home will be positioned on Tarndie Farm in The Otways which is owned by sixth generation farmer and woolgrower Tom Dennis.
“I wanted to test whether the idea would work for farmers [so] I called several to explain my project. Most of them were actually very enthusiastic, but Tom was next level,” Pennartz said.
A crowdfunding campaign will be started at Pozible.com on February 17 in order to fund the first Shacky house, announced the official website of Shacky.
