Be part of our experimental agroecological farm in the Bolivian country side
Buenas, I am Noemi and I came to Bolivia to start this heart project of mine over 25 years ago. I’m running an experimental agroecological farm with 23 hectares in 3 different places located within the semiarid valleys of Cochabamba. My team consists of a few local employees working on the farm and we’re joined by international and local students who are researching and writing their thesis within their own projects and last but not the least by the woofers that join me through this platform - all co-working, exchanging and learning together about agroforestry and agroecology. Through this work, the 23 hectares that form this place are recovering their ecological value, thanks to the application of agroforestry systems coupled with agroecological measures.
Here in Mollesnejta we are proving that it is possible to produce fruits and vegetables without agrochemicals, simply by applying the ancestral knowledge about sustainable agriculture that agroecology is providing us with. This technique has proven to be able to improve the productivity of the land and at the same time being ecologically sustainable. We have therefore contributed not only to recover soils and biodiversity at the semiarid valleys of Cochabamba, but also to promote organic food and we are aiming to achieve economic stability.
In 2017 our project suffered a terrible fire. From that moment on, our team decided to reformulate the project and transform it into an “Institute for Andean Agroforestry”. This decision was founded in the desire to use all the wisdom accumulated during all these years, as well as our strong motivation to keep promoting agroecology as a tool for recovering the vulnerable ecosystem of the Semiarid Andean valleys of Bolivia.
In 2023 we also lost half of our agroforestry plots in a fire. The entire mountainside was in flames. Without the natural vegetation, there was a landslide during the rainy season, forcing us to carry out earthworks with an excavator.
Eversince we are working to regenerate the tree cover and to develop our productive fruit and vegetable plantings.
Now we want to start a new chapter in the projects history and get our restaurant and event place going, where we aim to promote healthy and good food from agroforestry sources and share the enjoyment and knowledge with our guests.
We want to share our knowledge and experiences with all the people who are interested and willing to contribute within our project in order to prove that it is possible to live in harmony with Mother Earth, here we say in Quechua pachamama. And that’s where you come in - help us on our mission to make a difference.
Which areas do we work in?
Implementation of agroforestry systems, preparation and application of Terra Preta and Chipped Rameal Wood, use of Kon-Tiki, general maintenance tasks of the farm, application of the output of dry toilets in agroforestry, residual waters management...
What are your activities:
Activities in Mollesnejta change according to the seasons:
January: Planting, pruning in the agroforest parcels
February: Pruning in the agroforest parcels
March: Collect seed, prepare seedlings in the nursery
April: prepare seedlings in the nursery, prepare plant bags for sowing
May: Sowing trees into plant bags
June: Water young trees, sow trees into plant bags, grafting fruit trees
July: Irrigate plants, prepare cuttings and put them in plant bags
August: Irrigate plants, pruning, planting of Opuntia cactus
September: Irrigate plants, preparing new agroforestry parcels
October: Irrigate plants, prepare new agroforestry parcels
November: Implementation of new agroforestry parcels
December: Implementation of new agroforestry parcel
Which are the working conditions?
As long as the volunteer participates in the daily tasks, lunch, dinner (only on the working days) and accommodation will be provided for free. You´ll only need to bring some food for breakfast and the days off, sleeping bag, gardening gloves and toilet paper.
Daily necessities are readily available in the village of Combuyo.
See you soon! :)
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Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
The benefit for the travelers will be to know how (dynamic) agroforestry systems work, learn about agroecological techniques and the preparation of Terra Preta, meet international people, get to know locals and their traditions in the rural areas... This is a great place to learn outdoors about how nature really works and how we can adjust to climate change.
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Help
Fundraising experience welcome!
-We would be happy to receive financial support for the ecological and social work we are doing - come and help us with that.
You‘re a organizer? We‘re glad if you are the happy person that keeps everyone connected, organizes the work that’s on the list and meetings with coffee prepared.
Help to do the work in the agroforestry systems, pruning of the trees, cutting the herbs, give Terra Preta to the fruit plants, update our website, build some furniture from our own wood, or simply what’s on the map when you arrive.
Read more
Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Sheep or goat farming
Viticulture
Forestry
Beekeeping
Aromatic or medicinal plants, teas
Seed saving or production
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Methods or systems
Biological pest control
Holistic management
No-till farming
Permaculture
Regenerative agriculture
Host type
Nonprofit / Community
23
Hectares
|
56.8
Acres
