Organic Farm on the Ecuadorian Coast

  Ecuador

• Quito: 
Quito
• All Other Regions of Ecuador: 
Portoviejo,  Bahia de Caraquez,  Canoa,  Montanita

Durations of Program: 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks

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 slepp 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.

Highlights: What will you get out of volunteering in the farm ?
You will be able to contribute to a valuable environmental model for the coastal area and you'll have the opportunity to learn about organic farming and permaculture. You will be able to experience a completely different culture and take part in community activities.

It is a good opportunity to practice your Spanish. The family and the workers on the Farm speak no English or any other language. We have developed a farm dictionary to help you with the new vocabulary.

You are close to the beach if you want some sun and surf on the weekend.
If you are interested in studying organic agriculture while volunteering, you can also participate in a volunteer training course (10 hours per week). There has to be a minimum of 3 people interested in order to run the course.

The Farm also offers a one-month apprenticeship program in organic farming and permaculture.

Note:
This is an isolated rural area where electricity and TV have only existed since 1998. The local people have lived a simple but rich life without access to, or knowledge of, modern conveniences. We have been very careful so that the presence of foreigners has had a positive influence on the community. We ask that volunteers be sensitive to this, and we insist that no drugs or alcohol are consumed at the Farm, except in the case of the typical drinks which you may be offered by the family or at a local fiesta. We have developed more information on the cultural aspects that volunteers should be aware of; this information can be found in the frequently asked questions section.

There are no phones, fax and internet services at the Farm! We communicate by short wave radio and cell phone base (please be aware that your mobile phone probably will not work).

Qualifications: The volunteer programs give support through volunteers to the many worthy programs, such as vulnerable orphanages, institutes for children with disabilities, street children, and local indigenous communities. The volunteer programs are located in and around Quito, the capital of Ecuador. Program locations include the cloud forest and its communities close to Quito, the Ecuadorian Amazon, the Galapagos Islands, and other important places around Ecuador.

We offer volunteers real immersion in the various Ecuadorian ecosystems, and real opportunities for learning and sharing the Ecuadorian cultures, costumes and traditions.

What kind of people are we looking for to volunteer? We prefer that volunteers have:
- At least a few weeks traveling experience in Latin America.
- A basic level of Spanish (the experience is much richer for you if you can communicate!).
- Experience working in rural areas, on farms, with plants or in education (this is not essential as long as you are keen to learn).
- if you are interested in teaching in the environmental school, some experience working in a school setting (not essential but is useful.)
- We recommend that volunteers have health insurance (important in case of any unexpected health problems).

Cost in US$: USD 350 per month

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Ecuador Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Eco Volunteer UP Foundation's Mission Statement: Eco Volunteer UP Foundation is a non-profit organization which is recognized legally by Ecuadorian Government. The volunteer programs give support through volunteers to the many worthy programs, such as vulnerable orphanages, institutes for children with disabilities, street children, and local indigenous communities. The volunteer programs are located in and around Quito, the capital of Ecuador. Program locations include the cloud forest and its communities close to Quito, the Ecuadorian Amazon, the Galapagos Islands, and other important places around Ecuador. We offer volunteers real immersion in the various Ecuadorian ecosystems, and real opportunities for learning and sharing the Ecuadorian cultures, costumes and traditions.