NOTE: WE ARE FULL THROUGH 2026
At this time we are not hosting short term stays.
Thank you for those who have taken an interest and supported our projects.
We are Guardians and stewards of the earth and the soul.
We are a small reforestation, land regeneration, and natural farming project in the cloud forest. We are active in our community and on our farm. Trees, plants, animals, good people, gratitude, and good experiences are our passions here.
We live in the cloud forest with a big open kitchen, dining room, and living room. The roof is tin. There are several dorms and shared rooms. Sometimes we are lucky and see the toucans in our yard, always we hear the birds - including the giant flocks of green parrots who love to fly by.
We love ethical, kind, and responsible people. We are looking for positive, independent, motivated people who can take initiative. People who can appreciate a laid-back, fun, rustic, simple homey lifestyle.
We are located in an area of Peru famous for being the main producer of tea in the country. It is less than a 4 hour drive from Cusco and just 3 from the Sacred Valley. It is a simple, uncomplicated farming community with a lot of wild life and the climate is not too hot and not too cold. We are trekking distance to Machu Picchu OR just a short 2-hour walk along the hydroelectric path which is just 85 minutes away by car. The area has many waterfalls and great hikes. A hours drive away are the hot springs of Cocalmayo used since the Incan times for both relaxation and rejuvenation.
We are a vegetarian project and focus on education about making conscious choices to positively effect global health through the consumption of less meat products (Meat and feed companies contribute directly to the destruction of Amazonian forests). If needed, there are many nearby restaurants in Huyro where you can find inexpensive, non-vegetarian meals.
Being Close to Nature: Planting seeds, maintaining land, and learning about organic pest management and soil health is part of day-to-day life. The farm currently has cats, dogs, chickens, geese, turkeys, ducks, cuy, and rabbits. We are passionate about reforestation, biodiversity, and soil health.
We are followers of the Way (Yeshua) and believe in the caretaking of the earth, its creatures, and one another. We also are happy to hold space for people who want to seek the Creator and fast in nature if that is an interest.
A FEW OF OUR ACTIVITIES:
Reforestation: seed collecting, building beds to plant seedlings + planting trees.
Organic Gardens + Trees: We cultivate, care for + harvest citrus fruits, several exotic fruits + organic vegetables.
Soil Care - hugelkulture.
Cooking - food preservation: fermentation, dehydration.
Community Care: Visiting elderly neighbors + helping them.
General maintenance and upkeep.
We grow and prepare our own coffee.
We hand-roll our very own oolong tea.
Plant Identification - we are writing a book.
Art projects: murals, pottery + others.
Animal care: we love animals.
The bedrooms and dorms provide simple yet functional accommodations, including a bed and bedding. While furnishings are minimal, hot water and electricity are available. The area has excellent Wi-Fi coverage from providers like Bitel, so bringing a Wi-Fi-enabled phone provides your internet. A modest library offers books and a projector for movie screenings, while outdoor amenities include two rustic swimming pools, a volleyball court, and a soccer field. The spacious and well-equipped kitchen is the heart of daily meals, where we prepare three delicious vegetarian dishes along with fresh juices and natural sodas.
The region is teeming with diverse bird species, attracting numerous bird enthusiasts.
One exceptional avian species found here is the Cock-of-the-Rock (Rupicola peruvianus). As the national bird of Peru, this area provides an ideal habitat where it thrives. Additionally, visitors can spot the Watchmaker (Momotus aequatorialis), along with a dazzling array of colorful hummingbirds and toucans.
THERE ARE BUGS! August has the most. Again, we have lots of bugs, lots. We live rustically in the cloud forest in a rural with an open kitchen, meaning there are no windows and doors on the kitchen and dining area, - it is open to the wild with a tin roof and cement floors. We do our best by cleaning daily, each week and once a month deeply but it is seriously buggy - dangerous spiders, possums, moths, jungle cockroaches - which are MUCH LARGER than city ones, ants, caterpillars and to a few, bothersome cats (we LOVE them). This is the reality here. Please do not come if you have issues with this, you and I will both feel better. We live in a community where many homes have dirt floors and cook over open fires. The nature is the fanciest thing here.
No Drugs or Alcohol
Drugs and alcohol are strictly not permitted on the farm.
The Music Experiment
We are conducting an experiment to see how music that supports plant growth affects the farm and those living here. Research suggests that music impacts plant development, and Masaru Emoto’s studies on water highlight how sound frequencies influence water structure. Since our bodies are made from soil, fed by plants, and primarily water, we believe this experiment could have a profound impact. We ask that all volunteers honor this experiment while here. If you feel you cannot respect this, please find another place to volunteer.
Farm Life & Expectations
Some days, I may not be available as I also run a business abroad. I run the farm primarily by myself with the great support of our local crew. I appreciate proactive, self-motivated like volunteers who can share the vision, help our local crew, and take initiative.
Spanish
It is good to know Spanish, or capable of using Google translate because our local workers do not speak English. Also this is not a Spanish Immersive experience because we do not control what language the volunteers speak. If you do not know what to do, as we do not have the strongest onboarding skills, wash some dishes and just ask Nellie or any of the locals how you can help. If you do not speak Spanish, just join them in what they are doing as they are light hearted and kind people and will appreciate the help.
We generally have 2 types of volunteers: specialists and general volunteers. Specialists generally work on unique projects that are in alignment with their education or careers. For example, botanists may help us with plant studies. General volunteers may be experiencing their first work on the farm and the tasks are often limited to easier things like making orange juice, weeding, painting, collecting dead wood, moving rocks, and perhaps cleaning. Many things can only be taught over time and our primary education style is lifestyle based. We teach by experience and often we will share a YouTube video or a book.
If you are a first-timer with just 2 weeks on the farm please be prepared to do basic tasks, without deep explanation beforehand. Like thank you, can you help us weed this flower bed, please help make orange juice, or move this wood to here. We are hoping people enjoy their experience because we enjoy our volunteers so we want to be clear about expectations.
Thank you for your interest!
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Beekeeping
Wild foraging
Aromatic or medicinal plants, teas
Seed saving or production
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Beer, cider, wine, or juice making
Bakery
Traditional crafts
Methods or systems
Aquaponics
Biological pest control
Holistic management
No-till farming
Permaculture
Regenerative agriculture
Host type
Self-sufficiency property
12
Hectares
|
29.7
Acres
