Boomers Abroad

Description

The Organic Farm is located in the valley on the mid-coast of Ecuador (near Manabi). The Farm is 8 kilometers in-land. The area was once a dense rain forest that has been primarily cleared for cattle farming and raising crops. However, some rain forest areas remain intact.

The farming practices are generally conventional, with clearing, burning, mono crop farming and the use of agricultural chemicals. The Organic Farm was no exception, until 1992, when work began to use more environmentally friendly, non-polluting methods. In Ecuador, there is a lot of experience in organic farming, especially in the mountains and in temperate climates in general, but there is little on along the coast (except for a couple of large banana plantations).

The Organic Farm now has an important role in demonstrating alternatives like biogas, solar power, composting systems, worm culture, water recycling, reforestation and forage systems, permaculture, organic farming techniques and environmental tourism. The Farm now receives many community and student groups who come to learn about these alternatives.

Tourism and education are other aspects of the Farm. Visitors are fascinated by the cultural experience they gain and the alternative farming techniques. The Farm was chosen to participate in an ecotourism certification pilot project. It is now one of the 12 certified projects in Ecuador.

The Farm is privately owned by an Ecuadorian/New Zealand couple who are strongly committed to environmental and community work. They were instrumental in the creation of an eco-city and continue to coordinate an environment education program and paper-recycling project in the city. The Farm receives no support from organizations or foundations

Options for volunteering:
* Regular Volunteering - Hands on help on the Farm.
* Volunteer Training Course - For those who want to learn more about organic farming, permaculture and other methods.

Areas of Work for volunteers:

Volunteers at the Farm participate in general activities related to agriculture, education and visits, and have as similar timetable as the family and other workers on the Farm. Some of the activities will include:
- Nursery work, sowing seeds, filling bags and pricking out.
- Reforestation work, planting, weeding, mulching, staking and pruning.
- Creation and maintenance of vegetable gardens.
- Compost making.
- Planting and harvesting crops.
- Working in the environmental school (see below and in the "Our Projects" section of the web page ), maintenance or giving English, art or sport classes.
- Help in the preparation of food (especially if you are interested to learn about local food).
- Making banana circles.
- Simple construction and painting
- Artwork, translating, preparation of info and materials for the school.
- Preparation for groups of visitors (groups of farmers from different parts of the country sometimes stay over night)
- Geeding and caring for the animals.
- Feeding worms and separating worms from the humus,.etc.

The Environmental School:
Rural education is fairly non-existent and most teachers only work 3-4 days a week. In 1993, with community participation, the environmental primary school was created. The aim of the school was to provide not only a more creative, practical education than in most rural schools but to teach environmental education. The school was built with natural materials which were donated by the parents. It has been running successfully since 1993 supported by the parents and the Farm with help from tourists, friends, family and volunteers. You are welcome to help out in the environmental school if your skills can be useful for the children and teachers.

If you don't speak much Spanish then English teaching is always good. If your Spanish is better, then other subjects can be taught, including art, geography, creative writing, cooperative games, sport, martial arts, music etc.

Lodging for Volunteers:
Accommodations are provided in one of the sleeping areas (there are rooms that sleep 1-5 people) and meals are made for everyone by the family who live on the Farm. The food is largely vegetarian, while chicken and river shrimp are occasionally served. Most produce comes from the Farm, creating a colorful combination of typical food and salads/ vegetable dishes (sometimes cooked over a wood fire). Fresh fruits from the farm area always served at breakfast.

Sheets and blankets are supplied, but please bring a towel. Most people sleep without a mosquito net but please bring one if you prefer to use one.

We prefer a one-month commitment, so that you can learn the ropes and so that there is some continuity for the family/ animals and plants. There are no refunds. We prefer that volunteers start at the beginning of the month as we do an orientation program, which will help you with your stay.

Two days free are given per week - Saturday afternoon and Sunday (the same as the family and workers on the Farm) The other half day is a "cultural afternoon " which typically occurs midweek. Common excursions include fishing for shrimp or to learn how to carve mate, make coffee, chocolate, palm seed rings etc.