Volunteer

Do you want to understand how to grow the food you eat? Are you itching to get out of the city and reconnect with nature?  Does the geek inside you get excited about effective microorganisms and fermentation? Do you want to experience a thriving self-sustaining eco-friendly organic farm in action and help it flourish even more?

Volunteers who are selected to work on our organic farm will learn an excellent combination of traditional permaculture and modern farming practices, understand the importance of eco-friendly and organic farming methods, rainwater harvesting and live as a part of a rural village community. Volunteers get to explore different aspects of the farming calendar through the year – harvesting, planting, manuring, weeding – you name it.

Expectations:

The work is usually six hours a day of hard work. The jobs you have are seasonal and include helping us in our office or manure facility, grafting, composting and potting. We do have the occasional fun project such as maintenance of our irrigation tanks or nursery, and we do take note of your interests and skills when assigning tasks!

Accommodation:

Rustic accommodation in shared camping type of cottages is provided. Volunteers are requested to bring their own sleeping bags. However, they may rent or buy the sleeping bags at the farm. Depending on the weather, many apprentices love to sleep under the open sky. Cots with mosquito nets are available for this purpose. Clean, common, western toilets are available.

Food:

Volunteers have to cook their own food. A gobar gas unit provides the energy needs of the common kitchen. They may take 1/2 litre milk per day (evenings only) and reasonable farm produce free of cost. The rest, they will have to buy from the Organic Hut (the Farm's organic outlet near the entrance) or from the shops in the nearby town of Neral. When workshops or conferences are held at the farm, the apprentices can eat with the attendees.

Code of Conduct:

Boisterous partying, smoking, drinking and drugs are strictly prohibited. The local cultural sensitivities are always to be respected.

Best Months To Be On The Farm:

Each month on the farm presents its own experiences, challenges and joys and you can choose any period for the apprenticeship.

Evaluation Period:

There will be a 15 day evaluation period at the beginning of the journey. The farmer and his senior apprentices will evaluate the new volunteer for his/her fitness, eagerness, commitment, punctuality and overall suitability during this 15 day trial period. If not found fit, the volunteer will be terminated at the end of the 15 day period.

Cost:

The volunteer has to pay a monthly fee of Rs. 16000/-. This amount has to be paid in advance at the beginning of the month and is not refundable even if the apprentice leaves without completing the full month.

Holidays:

The volunteers can take a holiday on Sundays. The day-off may need to be adjusted sometimes based on the requirements at the farm. If you do take additional holidays, these will be discounted from the calculations of the period of stay. Please inform the farmer well in advance if you have any such holiday plans.