Tiny Permaculture community farm located in a small town.
Malaysia
ABOUT US
In 2015, we started a guesthouse and embraced a self-sufficient lifestyle. Through WWOOF, we welcomed volunteers, deepened our connection with nature, and became more aware of environmental issues like climate change, soil erosion, and species extinction. This inspired us to focus on environmental education and build a like-minded community.
In 2019, we launched a community project, but COVID-19 forced us to pause. We resumed in 2023, and from 2025 onwards, most of our WWOOF volunteer efforts will be dedicated to this project.
Our 1,400 sqm community space features a mini food forest, an ecological pond, a spice garden, a vegetable greenhouse, a workshop area, volunteer dormitories, a seedling zone, a tool storage area, rainwater collection facilities, and a café. Our goal is to show how a small piece of land can produce diverse, high-quality food while supporting biodiversity.
FOR 2026 ESTIMATED PROGRAMME TIMELINE
January, February:
Completing setting up for plants nursery center
February, March, April, May:
I will be focusing on building our community cafeteria. Volunteers who are interested in woodworking or construction are encouraged to apply.
May, June, July:
We will begin constructing a natural pond as part of our food forest system.
July, August, Sept:
Preparing for and organising a one-week festival from 28th August to 5th September, aimed at offering people an immersive experience in local culture, community connection, and sustainability awareness.
Oct, Nov, Dec:
build a learning playground of kids
WHAT IS POSSIBLE TO EXPERIENCE DURING YOUR STAY
Here are some of the experiences you may have with us in 2026. You’re very welcome to share your interests, and I’ll do my best to shape the experience around what you’d love to learn.
🌱 Daily farm maintenance
Composting, seedling care, weeding, planting, and hands-on farm work.
For stays longer than one month, volunteers will also take part in developing our food forest using permaculture and syntropic agroforestry methods.
🛠️ Farm upgrades & small builds
Minor construction, woodworking, and improving farm facilities
🥬 Food preservation
Drying, fermenting, and simple food processing
🎪 Festival preparation & community events
Helping to organise a festival, engaging with local communities, and promoting a sustainable lifestyle
STAY DETAILS
📍 Location: We are in Kulai, 30km from Johor Bahru, near Singapore. You can reach us by bus, train, or plane. Feel free to ask for travel advice.
⏳ Working Hours: 7.30 AM – 12 PM (depending on weather and physical condition), 6 days a week.
📅 Minimum stay: 2 weeks.
If you plan to stay longer than one month, we can arrange a flexible weekend schedule, giving you time to travel and visit nearby towns during your off-days.
🏡 Accommodation: Volunteers stay in a shared dormitory (up to 8 people) within the community space. Facilities are basic but include a bathroom, toilet, and kitchen.
🌱 Work Location: Primarily at the community farm, but sometimes at our guesthouse’s farm (a 10-minute walk from the hostel).
🦟 Environment: Malaysia’s climate is extremely humid, which may feel uncomfortable at times. There can also be many insects and mosquitoes.
MEALS
🍽 I will provide sufficient nutritious ingredients (mostly vegetarian) in the freezer and common areas, so volunteers can prepare their own three daily meals.
On most working days, I usually prepare lunch, and we’ll enjoy it together as a shared meal.
SKILL-BASED VOLUNTEERING APPORTUNITIES
If you have special skills or experience, we’d love to discuss the possibility of skill-based volunteering with you! And of course, if you have other talents you’d like to contribute, please let us know.
🛠️ Carpentry / Construction /Electrician : Help improve and upgrade our farm facilities
📹 Videography / Photography : Capture life on the farm and tell our story
🍳 Culinary / Private Chef : Join our private chef projects and enjoy cooking and sharing delicious meals
Here, it’s not just about helping — it’s about learning, creating, and experiencing together!
Read more
Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Forestry
Flower farming
Aromatic or medicinal plants, teas
Seed saving or production
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Beer, cider, wine, or juice making
Food justice / sovereignty
Methods or systems
No-till farming
Permaculture
Regenerative agriculture
Host type
Nonprofit / Community
Former WWOOFer
0.1
Hectares
|
0.2
Acres
Thai Soon
Member since 2018
Languages spoken:
Chinese, English
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 96%
Response time: typically within 2 days
Malaysia
Kulai bus station is 20 mins walking distance/ Kulai train station and Senai Airport only 15 mins driving
Reviews
Rhea
United States
•
November 2025
My experience at a bit difference was nothing short of amazing. Thai and his family were so welcoming to me and it immediately felt like a second home to me. I learned so much about farming and Malaysian plants, because Thai is an incredible teacher. He puts a lot of effort into explaining his work and his process and happily answered all my questions in detail. The 2 gardens he has developed over the last few years are really impressive and a great place to learn about permaculture and food forest, if you are interested in this. The accommodation is very comfortable and there is lots of cool stuff to do around Kulai. I also recommended taking a 3 hour bus ride to Singapore on the weekend, as it’s so convenient and a nice break from the quiet, slow life at a bit difference. The lunches are usually prepared by Thai’s mother or Thai and they are always amazing and delicious. I really recommend this farm to anyone who’s interested in learning about sustainable farm life and wants to spend time in Malaysia.
Read more
Sebastian
Ecuador
•
November 2025
My stay at the Tiny Farm was really good. Thai Soon and his family are very generous and kind. I learn a lot from his knowledge about syntropic agroforestry and edible forests in theory and with practice. I also help them with some architectural plans and ideas. We had great meals and conversations together, it was an inspiring experience, very recommended to other wwoofers!
Read more
Athena
Norway
•
October 2025
Had a really great time here with Thai and his lovely little family and his friends. Very happy to have started my backpacking trip at his place. It was easy to feel at home here :)
Would 10/10 recommend.
Anna
United States
•
September 2025
I volunteered here for two weeks in February 2025 as a part of a larger trip with four additional longer-term WWOOF experiences. I mainly helped out with rebuilding the compost system, as well as mixed and poured concrete to build the permanent garden beds beside the hostel. It was an informative experience in a great Malaysian city, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it unless Thai Soon begins to offer three meals per day (per WWOOF guidelines) in exchange for the expected 25 hours of work per week. It was mainly a good experience aside from this!
Some of the highlights of working at the Durian Guesthouse include the excellent lunches made by Thai Soon's mother after work days, local coffee shops, two extremely welcoming long-term Malaysian volunteers who drove us around the region and taught us about Chinese-Malaysian culture, hiking spots within walking distance from the farm, and helping with the overall sustainability project here! Having a car is extremely helpful here but not essential.
However, I also would like to share that despite having a serious case of debilitating food poisoning, the host didn't offer any assistance and left another WWOOFer to drop me off alone (without any ability to speak the local language) at an unopened clinic in town on their way to Johor Bahru.
Read more
Reply from Thai Soon
Hi I'm sorry for your bad experience. Actually the 2 volunteers (they are friends who stay my place for free of charge) and I assign them for helping Wwoofers issues, they update me anything and I fully aware that.
By the way, I have written something wrongly at your review as my memory are wrong. I'll try to contact admin and withdraw the feedback given
Read more
Maja
Germany
•
August 2025
Thai Soon and Isly Lee are super kind persons which really care about your well-beeing. Moreover there is a lot of room for open discussions and whenever you have any questions you can ask. Apart from that you'll stay at the house of one of the cutest grandmothers. The goal the family is following is one of the best examples for how a private household can try to make the world a better place. I'm really grateful to had this experience<3
Read more
Salomé
France
•
August 2025
Thank you for everything! Thai soon is passionate and enthusiastic about sharing his knowledge and vision of gardening. I learned a lot from him and really enjoyed my time in Kulai.
And thank you Popo for the meals :)
