User Dispute and Platform Role Policy

1. Platform Role

FarmSittersConnect.com is operated by Farm Sitters, Inc., a Delaware corporation registered to do business in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Farm Sitters Connect is a technology platform designed to help farmers, homesteaders, and agricultural workers connect with one another. The Company does not employ farm workers, hire workers on behalf of farmers, or supervise work performed between users. The Company is not a labor contractor, staffing agency, or employer.

2. Independent User Relationships

All work arrangements made through the Platform are agreements between independent users. Users are solely responsible for:

• Negotiating work terms and determining compensation
• Verifying qualifications and conducting their own due diligence
• Complying with all applicable federal, state, and local labor laws
• Ensuring legal eligibility for work
• Maintaining appropriate insurance or liability coverage for their property and animals

Farm Sitters, Inc. is not a party to any agreements made between users.

3. Platform Verification Services

Farm Sitters Connect offers optional verification features to help users build trust. These include:

• Background Checks: Sitters may opt to complete a third-party background check through Checkr, Inc. A completed background check is indicated on the sitter's profile with the date of completion. Background checks reflect only the information available to Checkr at the time of the check and may not be comprehensive.
• Certification Uploads: Sitters may upload documentation of professional certifications or training. The Platform displays these documents as provided by the sitter. Farm Sitters, Inc. does not independently verify the authenticity, validity, or current status of uploaded certifications.
• Self-Reported Skills: Sitters self-report their animal care experience and skills. These are not verified by the Platform.

4. Cancellations

Each sitter selects a cancellation policy that is displayed on their profile and disclosed to the owner before booking confirmation. By confirming a booking, the owner agrees to the sitter's selected cancellation policy.

Cancellation policies govern refund eligibility and sitter compensation in the event of a cancellation by either party. The specific terms of each cancellation tier are described in the Platform's Cancellation Policy page and are incorporated by reference into every booking.

4a. Sitter No-Shows

A "no-show" occurs when a confirmed sitter fails to arrive at the scheduled time without advance notice to the owner. Farm Sitters Connect treats no-shows as a serious matter due to the potential impact on animal welfare.

If a sitter no-shows: The owner will not be charged for the booking. The owner should report the no-show through the in-app reporting function or by contacting info@farmhandsconnect.com as soon as possible.

Platform response: No-show reports are reviewed by the Farm Sitters Connect team. A confirmed no-show may result in a warning, temporary suspension, or permanent removal of the sitter from the Platform at the Company's sole discretion. Repeated no-shows will result in account termination.

Emergency support: Owners who experience a no-show and need urgent assistance finding replacement care may contact the Platform at info@farmhandsconnect.com. While the Company does not guarantee replacement sitter availability, it will make reasonable efforts to help the owner connect with available sitters in their area.

5. What to Do If Something Goes Wrong

Farm Sitters Connect is built by farmers for farmers, and we take the trust and safety of our community seriously. If you experience a problem before, during, or after a booking, the following process is available to you.

Step 1: Communicate Directly

Whenever possible and safe to do so, attempt to resolve the issue directly with the other party using the Platform's in-app messaging system. Written communication through the Platform creates a record that may be useful if further action is needed.

Step 2: Submit a Formal Report

If direct communication does not resolve the issue, or if the situation involves safety concerns, submit a report through one of the following channels:

• In-App Reporting: Use the "Report an Issue" function available on any booking detail page.
• Email: Send a detailed account to info@farmhandsconnect.com with the subject line "User Report – [Your Name] – [Booking ID]."

Please include a description of the issue, relevant dates and times, any documentation (photos, screenshots, messages), and the outcome you are seeking.

Step 3: Platform Review

The Farm Sitters Connect team will acknowledge receipt of your report within 2 business days and will complete an initial review within 5 business days. For urgent matters involving animal welfare or personal safety, reports are prioritized for expedited review.

During the review, the Company may contact either or both parties for additional information.

Step 4: Platform Action

Based on the review, the Company may take one or more of the following actions at its sole discretion:

• Issue a warning to the reported user
• Temporarily suspend the reported user's account
• Permanently remove the reported user from the Platform
• Remove or modify listings, reviews, or other content
• Process a refund of the Platform fee, where applicable

6. Disputes Between Users

If a dispute arises between users of the Platform regarding the terms, quality, or compensation of a work arrangement, those users are responsible for resolving the dispute directly.

The Company is not responsible for mediating disputes and is not liable for any damages, losses, or claims arising from interactions between users. The Company is not a party to any agreements made between users and does not guarantee the conduct, performance, or reliability of any user.

Users who are unable to resolve a dispute independently may wish to consult a licensed attorney or pursue remedies available under applicable law.

7. Reviews and Community Standards

Farm Sitters Connect features a bi-directional review system. Both owners and sitters may leave reviews following a completed booking. Reviews must comply with the Platform's Community Guidelines, which prohibit:

• False, misleading, or defamatory statements
• Content unrelated to the booking experience
• Harassment, threats, or discriminatory language
• Attempts to manipulate ratings through coercion, incentives, or retaliatory reviews

The Company reserves the right to remove reviews that violate Community Guidelines. Removal of a review does not constitute a determination regarding the truthfulness of the review's content.

8. Animal Welfare Expectations

Farm Sitters Connect expects all users to prioritize the health, safety, and welfare of animals involved in any booking. Owners are responsible for providing accurate and complete care instructions, including feeding schedules, medications, veterinary contacts, and emergency protocols, through their farm profile.

Sitters are expected to follow care instructions as provided and to exercise reasonable judgment and care in the handling of animals. Any concerns about animal health or emergencies that arise during a booking should be communicated to the owner immediately, and sitters should follow the emergency protocols documented in the owner's farm profile.

Reports of animal neglect, abuse, or willful disregard of care instructions will be treated as urgent matters and may result in immediate account suspension and permanent removal from the Platform. The Company may also report such conduct to appropriate authorities as required or permitted by law.

9. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Farm Sitters, Inc. shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, losses, or claims arising from:

• Interactions, agreements, or disputes between users of the Platform
• The conduct, performance, or qualifications of any user
• Injury, illness, death, or loss of any animal during or related to a booking
• Property damage occurring during or related to a booking
• Personal injury to any user occurring during or related to a booking
• Reliance on information provided by users, including self-reported skills, certifications, or care instructions
• The results of any background check or verification feature

Users acknowledge that farming and animal care involve inherent risks and agree to assume those risks when using the Platform.

10. Reporting Concerns

Users may report concerns, policy violations, or safety issues to:

For urgent matters involving immediate risk to animal welfare or personal safety, users should contact local emergency services first, then notify the Platform.

11. Policy Updates

The Company reserves the right to modify this policy at any time. Material changes will be communicated to users through the Platform or via email. Continued use of the Platform following any policy update constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.

12. Relationship to Terms of Service

This policy is incorporated into and governed by the Terms of Service of FarmSittersConnect.com. In the event of any conflict between this policy and the Terms of Service, the Terms of Service shall control.