Free printable handoff

Farm sitter instructions checklist

Give a caretaker the daily routine, places, contacts, current issues, and record locations they need while you are away.

See a completed example

No sign-up. Two letter-size pages. Store the completed copy securely and leave passwords, alarm codes, and financial information out.

Homestead Keeper printable

Farm Sitter Handoff Checklist

Prepared:

Property:

Away from:

Return:

Primary contact:

Phone:

Backup contact:

Daily and timed routines

#	Time / frequency	Place, animal, or group	What to do	Supplies / what to check
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Key contacts

Veterinarian:

Phone:

Trusted neighbor / helper:

Phone:

Equipment / utility contact:

Phone:

Farm sitter handoff

Property notes and current issues

Property:

Where important things are

Water shutoff / well controls:

Breaker panel:

Feed and hay:

Animal-care supplies:

Tools and spare parts:

Fire extinguishers:

First-aid supplies:

Trash / compost / manure routine:

Current issues and special observations

#	Animal, place, or system	What is happening	What the sitter should do
1
2
3
4

Where detailed records and instructions live

What requires a call before acting

Other notes

Emergency: Call emergency services for immediate danger. Follow written veterinary and equipment instructions; do not improvise medical treatment or hazardous repairs.

Completed example

A short handoff for a weekend away

This fictional example shows how specific instructions reduce guesswork. Names, phone numbers, and access details are omitted. A real handoff should use current contacts and instructions for the actual property.

Example routines

Time	Place / group	What to do	Supplies / check
7:00 a.m.	Chicken coop	Open pop door; refill feeder and waterer	Feed bin in coop; spare waterer in barn
7:30 a.m.	Goat paddock	Hay, fresh water, and visual check of both goats	Hay stall; amounts marked on feed scoop
Dusk	Chicken coop	Confirm all 11 hens are inside; close and latch pop door	Call primary contact if a bird is missing
Evening	Greenhouse	Check soil moisture; water only if note on bench says due	Hose at north wall

Example current issues

Animal, place, or system	What is happening	What to do
South pasture gate	Latch sticks after rain	Lift gate slightly while closing; confirm latch catches
Hen: Hazel, red leg band	Finishing observation period	Check behavior at morning visit; note changes and call owner
Well-house shelf	Two filters remain	Tell owner if the last spare is used

Keep the handoff current

Homestead Keeper’s records, recurring work, and Property Handoff report can turn current property information into a fresh caretaker summary before each trip.

What belongs in a homestead handoff binder?

Cover locations, routines, contacts, current issues, and where detailed records live.

Reports and property handoff

See the app’s summaries, PDF reports, CSV exports, and Property Handoff report.

Rural property records

Connect places, equipment, infrastructure, inventory, and seasonal work.