Wwoof- india (Willing Workers on Organic Farms)

Is transportation available? There are no roads in Kalga. The nearest town (Barshani) is 30 minutes walk away, and accessible by local bus or taxi from Kasol. Languages spoken English, German, Bahasa Melayu, French . Can you host children or pets? We keep a crew of dogs onsite, and are happy to host more. We have hosted children in the past, but do not accept parenthood as an excuse for non-participation in activities Special diets We are predominantly vegetarian, but can potentially provide for vegan and ayurvedic (no garlic, no onion) And any other specifics for your farm - We are below 5 acres in size.

IND 165 Farm name: Aruvimalai Farm  Contact name: Navin John Location (address and description of land): Small farm 2 acres, with organic vegetables Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu A brief description of organic activities (crops, projects, goals, etc.) We have been organic for the last 30 years,  a fully sustainable farm with Bio Gas plants, natural composting, vermiculture, etc.  How long you have been doing Organic Farming: Over 30 years Whether the farm is certified (if yes) name of certification agency: No Suggested length of stay for volunteers: 5 days to a week.  Accommodations (number and type): Rugged cabin that has hot water, and cooking facilities.  Non-farming opportunities/ activities (alternative construction/ restoration project, alternative energy, etc.) None Expectations of work for volunteers: 5 hours work, weeding, planting, composting Is transportation available? Yes.  Languages spoken: Tamil, Some basic english.  Can you host children or pets? Children yes, pets no. Special diets: Simple vegetarian food is provided.  And any other specifics for your farm

IND 166 Farm name  - Bamboo Rustle Contact name  - Ashish GB Location (address and description of land) – Vepannapalli (Near Krishnagiri and about 2 hours from Bangalore). How to reach farm by Bus and train ( nearest stations)The nearest towns with railway station to Veppanapalli are:Bangalore : 100 KMHosur : 60 KMKrishnagiri : 15 KMThe nearest bus stand is Krishnagiri (15 KM)From Krishnagiri a bus has to be taken to Veppanapalli from where we will have you picked up. From Veppanapalli the farm is at a short distance of about 3 Km. The farm is located in a beautiful valley surrounded by dry deciduous and scrub forest. It is also tucked away in a corner giving a sense of being in the middle of the forest. A brief description of organic activities (crops, projects, goals, etc.) – Vegetables such as capsicum, tomato, bitter gourd etc. We will soon be moving to fruiting plants as banana, pomegranate etc. Our goal is to grow organic food for own consumption and for sale in the local markets. How long you have been doing Organic Farming – We have been practicing organic farming for about a year and halve. Whether the farm is certified (if yes) name of certification agency – We have not gone for certification as of date. Suggested length of stay for volunteers – Minimum stay required in the farm is One Month Can be discussed with the volunteer. Accommodations (number and type) – One shared room with clean toilet or tenting Maximum number of volunteers at one go:Two in number Non-farming opportunities/ activities (alternative construction/ restoration project, alternative energy, etc.) – Nothing Substantial Expectations of work for volunteers – Just be passionate about organic farming and open to other errands for the farm Is transportation available - a motorbike at the farm which can be utilized to commuting for errands to the village close by. Languages spoken – English, Tamil, Kannada Can you host children or pets? – Yes Special diets – None And any other specifics for your farm – It’s a small farm on a patch of land of about 2 acres. For volunteers committing for periods of more than a month will additionally be compensated with a small stipend too. One can visit following places of tourist Interest nearby: Government Museum  @ Krishnagiri Thali - It is in the taluk headquarters is Denkanikottai and 80 KM from Krishnagiri. The fort at Denkanikottai can also be visited. Rayakottah Fort - about 80 KM from Krishnagiri Mallachandram -  It is located 19 km from krishnagiri and 4 km from samalpallam. Samalpallam lies on the krishnagiri-Bangalore Road N.H 7. Trips can also be planned towards Ooty, Coimbatore , Chennai , Bangalore.How to reach farm by Bus and train ( nearest stations)The nearest towns with railway station to Veppanapalli are:Bangalore : 100 KMHosur : 60 KMKrishnagiri : 15 KMThe nearest bus stand is Krishnagiri (15 KM)From Krishnagiri a bus has to be taken to Veppanapalli from where we will have you picked up. From Veppanapalli the farm is at a short distance of about 3 Km.

IND 167 Farm name : Philgi’sContact name Philipgi T.KanattLocation (address and description of land) Philgi’s Farm,, Ernakulam District, Kerala, S.India.Its one hectare farmwith Nutmeg, Coconut, Rubber, Pepper crops along with a few local cows, goatsand poultry.  A 2 bedroom farm house ( a100 yr old traditional house ) renovated recently with reasonable facilitiesA brief description of organic activities (crops,projects, goals, etc.) Various systems are being integrated into the unit toenhance the productivity as well as to make best use of the resources.  Compost making both in-situ and ex-situ,preparation of different organic nutrient slurries, nursery management, Farm designingand development etc are the present activites.How long you have been doing Organic Farming: I am anagricultural professional associated with the promotion of organic farmingright from 1991.  The property wasacquired in 2007 and has been managed organically ever since.Whether the farm is certified (if yes) name ofcertification agency: The certification programme has been initiated with Lacon IndiaSuggested length of stay for volunteers One week Accommodations (number and type) 5 beds in 2 sleepingquarters are availableNon-farming opportunities/ activities (alternativeconstruction/ restoration project, alternative energy, etc.) Biogas plant,Riverbank protection using bamboo planting etc are being adoptedExpectations of work for volunteers:In the upkeep andmaintenance of farm unit.  Helping in documentingthe farm features and activities.Is transportation available? Pick up and drop is available Languages spoken English, Malayalam, HindiCan you host children or pets? Children are OK but not petsSpecial diets: Simple vegetarian food, mostly own produceand non-veg occasionallyAnd any other specifics for your farm: Your presence should never cause damage to the serenity of the place.

IND 168 Farm name: Vaksana Organic Farm Contact name: Kiruba Shankar Farm Address: Vaksana Organic Farm,  Tindivanam Taluk, Tamilnadu – 604306 INDIA  Farm Size:   The farm is 9 acres.  A brief description of organic activities (crops, projects, goals, etc.) The farm is completely organic.  We currently grow paddy, finger millet, black gram, banana, coconut and vegetables. We soon plan on starting a dairy unit, goat farm and a poultry farm in order to make it a full-fledged integrated farm. How long you have been doing Organic Farming: One year. Whether the farm is certified (if yes) name of certification agency: Not certified yet.  Suggested length of stay for volunteers: 2 days to 3 months. Accommodations (number and type):  We have a farm house with a dorm type room that can accommodate 10 people. Non-farming opportunities/ activities (alternative construction/ restoration project, alternative energy, etc.)  : We have plans to setup a compost toilet, build a fish pond, build a dairy cattle & goat shed and a chicken pen. Expectations of work for volunteers: We want people very passionate about farming to come join in. We want people who are very eager to experience the rural way of life in Tamilnadu. As with WWOOF norms, 5 hours of voluntary work.  Is transportation available? The farm is very well connected via bus service.  Languages spoken: English and Tamil.  Can you host children or pets?:  Yes, we host children and pets. We love them.  Special diets: We main have vegetarian food. Non-vegetarian food can be cooked on special occassions.  And any other specifics for your farm: Vaksana means 'The Nourisher'. We want both the body and the soul to be nourished and would love to host people

IND 169 Farm name  NISARG ESTATE  Location (address and description of land) BELTANGADY TALUK, MANGALORE DISTRICT, KARNATAKA STATE, INDIA A brief description of organic activities (crops, projects, goals, etc.) COCONUT, CASHEW, NUTMEG, TERMERIC, JACK FRUIT, BLACK PAPER, BETAL NUTS, CARDAMOM, BREAD FRUIT, LAMON, MANGO, KOKUM, SOUR SOP, RAMBUTAN, AMLA, RAMPHAL, GAVA, HONEY BEE FARMING How long you have been doing Organic Farming SINCE 10 YEARS Whether the farm is certified (if yes) name of certification agency NO Suggested length of stay for volunteers ABOVE 7 DAYS Accommodations (number and type) VILLAGE TYPE ACCOMMODATION FOR 6 TO 8 PEOPLE Non-farming opportunities/ activities (alternative construction/ restoration project, alternative energy, etc.) NONE Expectations of work for volunteers FARMING ACTIVITY Is transportation available? PUBLIC TRANSPORT Languages spoken HINDI, KANNAD, ENGLISH, TULU Can you host children or pets? NO PETS Special diets ONLY VEGAnd any other specifics for your farm NONE

IND 170 Farm name : Khandar Bagh, Devi Niwas District Sawai Madhopur Rajasthan Contact name Dr.MeetaSingh  Location address and description of land) About 20 Acres of farmland with Mango Orchards in about 5 Acres. A brief description of organic activities (crops, projects, goals, etc.) Seasonal fruits and mainly rain fed farming being done with two crops being sowed every year. Tubewell and local wells also available for watering.  Organic farming carried out  along with minimizing dependence on power by installing solar powered generation of electricity. Plan to develop Horticulture in a more extensive manner. How long you have been doing Organic Farming  Last two years Whether the farm is certified (if yes)  name of certification agency No Not certified. Suggested length of stay for volunteers- 2 weeks stay. Can be shortened or extended depending on volunteer interest Accommodations (number and type): Two cottages and one dorm sleeps 6-8 persons Non-farming opportunities/ activities (alternative construction/ restoration project, alternative energy, etc.) Restoration of old heritage building using local masonry , establishing a solar plant for alternate energy to make the farm self sufficient in power. Expectations of work for volunteers: Helping with Clearing of weeds , pruning of trees, developing Organic farming, plantation of fruit trees, promoting carpentry and environment friendly activities in the area , developing nature trails for local school children, helping local women and children with developing livelihood skills, volunteering for organising games and craft for school children age 6-15 years age group etc. Is transportation available? Yes , Local Taxi and Bus available. However Escorted transport to and from the farm can be made available for a reasonable charge. Languages spoken English and Hindi Can you host children or pets? Children > 10 years of age  - yes but Pets No Special diets: Simple, hygienic, nutritious and tasty vegetarian diet will be arranged using locally available vegetables and breads.And any other specifics for your farm WE WILL BE HAPPY TO WELCOME VOLUNTEERS FOR A MUTUALLY ENRICHING EXPERIENCE 

IND 171 Farm name – Arun Farm  Contact name – Arun Dhaddha   Location (address and description of land) –District - Jaipur - it is 18 kms from Jaipur City Centre Rajasthan ., Land : 9 Acres  A brief description of organic activities (crops, projects, goals, etc.) – Just started How long you have been doing Organic Farming – Barren land earlier, will start farming now  Whether the farm is certified (if yes) name of certification agency – Not yet  Suggested length of stay for volunteers – 2 to 4 weeks   Accommodations (number and type) – 2 rooms  Non-farming opportunities/ activities (alternative construction/ restoration project, alternative energy, etc.) – Old style building construction & restoration of old building  Expectations of work for volunteers – Volunteers should be well experience  Is transportation available? - Yes  Languages spoken – Hindi & English  Can you host children or pets? - No   Special diets – Vegetarian food  And any other specifics for your farm – Water level is good due to near to kanota dam, sweet water

IND 172 Farm name: School Without Walls Location (address and description of land): Dist.Sindhudurg, Maharashtra. We have small experimental plots for vegetable farming and tropical fruit plantation of cashews and timber wood on some land. Our farmers have rice fields , vegetable farms in small patches. We can host at our institution and at our farmers house for the volunteers. Dhamapur is a typical Konkani village. It is a paradise for the lovers of serene atmosphere and virgin natural beauty. Situated among small hills and dense green trees and coconut and arica-nut palms, this had become a favourite tourist spot. One can get state transport buses from Kudal & Malvan.Sindhudurg is in the Kokan area of Maharastra having picturesque stretch of land on the west cost of India, endowed with the beautiful seashore, picturesque Mountains and scenic natural beauty and known for tropical fruit like the world famous Alphonso mangoes, cashews, Jamuns etc. National Highway 17 passes through this area. With 7 railway stations, a 103 Km stretch of Konkan Railway line passes through this district. It has good road and rail links with Goa and Bombay. A brief description of organic activities (crops, projects, goals, etc.) Our organisation is a running a real life education system “School-Without-Walls”. Our students have formed a organic group of marginal farmers in three villages under the participatory guarantee system . We make organic fertilisers and foliar sprays at our farm. Our recent innovation is Panch-gavya treated Vermi blocks. We have paddy fields, vegetable farms, tropical fruit farms and medicinal plants farm. We train farmers in making bi-products from their local crops ; like red hibiscus syrup, Adulsa leaves medicines, jackfruit honey, jams and pickles etc. We are also doing advocacy of native seeds , native cow farm and its bi-products. How long you have been doing Organic Farming – 5 years Whether the farm is certified (if yes) name of certification agency: No Suggested length of stay for volunteers: 1-3 months Accommodations (number and type): 1- 25 Non-farming opportunities/ activities (alternative construction/ restoration project, alternative energy, etc.): Alternative construction like mud and bamboo house construction, ferro-cement, restoration of old structures in villages, alternative energy like biomass briquettes, biomass e-coal, solar dehydrator Expectations of work for volunteers: Blend with local environment, students, villagers Is transportation available? Public transport Languages spoken: English, Hindi, Marathi, Konkani Can you host children or pets? Yes Special diets: simple and nutritious. And any other specifics for your farm : No Beef and pork allowed. Mostly veg. You can visit beautiful lake with blue, unpolluted, crystal-clear water is a pleasure for eyes. Temples of Bhagawati and Bharadi Devi are worth visiting. Kokani folks are staunch believers and they have maintained their holy places well. Calm and quiet atmosphere of konkani village, with cow-dung polished yards give you full satisfaction, physical comforts and mental peace. No more member pls do not contact

IND 173Farm name: Vaksana Organic Farm Contact name: Kiruba Shankar Farm Address: Vaksana Organic Farm, Rettanai Road, Rettanai Tamilnadu – 604306 INDIA Farm Size:   The farm is 9 acres.  A brief description of organic activities (crops, projects, goals, etc.) The farm is completely organic.  We currently grow paddy, finger millet, black gram, banana, coconut and vegetables. We soon plan on starting a dairy unit, goat farm and a poultry farm in order to make it a full-fledged integrated farm. How long you have been doing Organic Farming: One year.  Whether the farm is certified (if yes) name of certification agency: Not certified yet.  Suggested length of stay for volunteers: 2 days to 3 months. Accommodations (number and type):  We have a farm house with a dorm type room that can accommodate 10 people.  Non-farming opportunities/ activities (alternative construction/ restoration project, alternative energy, etc.)  : We have plans to setup a compost toilet, build a fish pond, build a dairy cattle & goat shed and a chicken pen. Expectations of work for volunteers: We want people very passionate about farming to come join in. We want people who are very eager to experience the rural way of life in Tamilnadu. As with WWOOF norms, 5 hours of voluntary work.  Is transportation available? The farm is very well connected via bus service.  Languages spoken: English and Tamil.  Can you host children or pets?:  Yes, we host children and pets. We love them.  Special diets: We main have vegetarian food. Non-vegetarian food can be cooked on special occassions. And any other specifics for your farm: Vaksana means 'The Nourisher'. We want both the body and the soul to be nourished and would love to host people.

IND 174 Farm name – Mongoose farms Contact name – Sumant Joshi Location (address and description of land) –Taluka Trimbakeshwar, District Nashik, Maharashtra. The land is 4.5 acres atop a small hillock, overlooking a large manmade reservoir built on the Vaitarna river. This reservoir supplies water to Mumbai city. A brief description of organic activities (crops, projects, goals, etc.) – This is the place for anyone to practice and implement a permaculture design project from scratch because it is raw. Right now the place has an open dug well and accommodation ready to receive people. Part of the land is meant to be a site for adventure activities for city folk, a means to earn some money. The rest is meant for organic farming. This year we are planning rice and finger millet. The present farming practices in the area by other farmers are very damaging to the soil and tons of it washes off during the very heavy rains each season. My idea is to wean away local farmers by introducing permaculture design practices. How long you have been doing Organic Farming – Frankly, the land is quite degraded and I have been only trying to rejuvenate the place by planting as many trees as possible. As of now these are mainly Acacia trees and trying to protect those trees already there. Whether the farm is certified (if yes) name of certification agency – No. Suggested length of stay for volunteers – It depends what they are looking for. Nasik is known for being a holy city for Hindus. Nasik is also known as the wine capital of India and produces huge quantities of grapes of many kinds. This farm will give you an opportunity to experience a completely new culture. An initial stay of about a week should be sufficient for volunteers to decide whether they want to stay longer. Accommodations (number and type) – A large covered shed (1500 sq ft) with 3 foot high outer walls and rammed Earth floor can accommodate about 20 people comfortably. I need about 5 volunteers max. But I am open to suggestions. You are welcome to bring your own tent. I will provide decent and clean bedding. Non-farming opportunities/ activities (alternative construction/ restoration project, alternative energy, etc.) – The farm is located in a valley with lots of opportunities for trekking, rock climbing/ rappelling and water sports. If someone is interested in wild life, you are welcome to come and study the endangered Asian striped Hyena and Jackal in addition to lots of different types of snakes. In fact we could start adventure camps for school children and corporates which could help pay for general maintenance and other expenses of the farm. Expectations of work for volunteers – I am looking for at least one person experienced in Permaculture practices to design and implement a food forest. I am also looking for volunteers experienced in adventure activities like rappelling, off site camping, rock climbing, Kayaking and water sports etc. etc. The idea is to introduce local kids and adults to nature and make some money too which will help pay for farm maintenance and food etc. for volunteers. Is transportation available? – Yes, a city bus comes to the village everyday. A lot of local transport is also available. The place is a paradise for cyclists including mountain bikers. Languages spoken – Marathi, English, Hindi Can you host children or pets? – definitely yes, as long as they don’t bother people around them (kids normally don’t) and parents/ owners will be completely responsible for them. Special diets – By and large we will have vegetarian food but maybe once in a while meat will be served. Drugs and alcohol are banned. And any other specifics for your farm – As of now the farm is not producing anything so volunteers will have to pay for basics, unless we manage to make money by other means like adventure activities etc. It will cost approximately INR 300 per person per day which is expected to be paid on joining depending on duration of stay. The accounting of this money will be done by volunteers themselves. There are a lot of opportunities for volunteers to visit other places and meet other people here in Nashik and surrounding towns and cities. Dressing will have to be conservative since otherwise it may cause unnecessary problems for everyone. Volunteers will be advised accordingly.

IND 175 Farm Name - Himalayan Ethno Botanic Garden society Contact- Pankaj Bhakuni, Location   Western Binsar Valley. Middle Himalayas, elevation 1806m. work area/ 1000 to 2000m (25km distance of Almora),District – Almora. Uttarakhand, INDIA. Surrounded by the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. Description of organic activities We are 2year-old NGO, initiated because of the need to bring back bio diversity as well as traditional farming methods traditional knowledge and vegetation endemic to the Kumaon region of the Himalayas.  Revival of cultural artifacts is a natural extension of this anthropological story. In the background of the mass migration to the city of Delhi and other megalopolises, our villages are becoming bereft of youthful energy to keep our farms alive and to carry our local traditions that are so rapidly being lost. We are loosing the very blueprint of traditional knowledge, method and practices that get carried across generations. Women by default are now the only carriers of traditional knowledge that helps in maintaining basic livelihoods. Therefore they are the natural change agency as envisaged in our vision. Much has been said in world forums regarding the objectives and methods of alternative organizations on the planet. We do not wish to repeat what is already well known. We live and learn and gather and reinvent according to the needs and vicissitudes of the local possibilities and resource constraints Given this context and background, our NGO encourages local farmers to switch to organic methods and have their produce sold through a processing unit that we are in the midst of establishing. We are currently setting up greenhouses and seed banks in order to provide organic seedlings of local fruit trees, vegetables and herbs, whose cultivation is rapidly becoming extinct. At our farm site presently we have a central house, another for volunteers and guests, a running kitchen and other basic facilities. Surrounded by old growth mixed forest, there is a vegetable and fruit garden, tended by organization members and volunteers. This setup provides the essential learning space for everybody involved in the venture including the local farmers. This learning space provides for hands-on knowledge and instruction about the synergy between forest and farmland so essential for traditional cultivation in the Himalayas. It must be stated that the rural landscape in the mountainous region has been transformed by India’s colonial experience. This context has to be understood, and is therefore part of the practical learning and education at the site. In fact in principle our site offers vignettes of world ecology in its historical aspects at a glance. We wish to highlight that only the economics effects of colonization have been properly documented and were indeed the inspiration for India’s freedom movement. The long-term ecological effects of colonization have not been either documented or understood. We wish to graphically represent this phenomenon as a practical adventure education and its hazards that we have to contend with daily. This relates, to take one example, with the forest fires due to monocultural propagation of single plantation species through government initiatives in the colonial and postcolonial period. Coupled with the uncertainty brought about by climate change, this disturbance in the moisture regimen through human intervention has a great bearing on agricultural and horticultural practices. Given this context, our experiences and experiments not only help us but the farmers of the whole area, in selecting the species that can become commercially viable in the long run. This whole process comes across as a highly informative and educative experience for all stakeholders. Creating endurable livelihoods in the area is after all the eventual objective of the venture. It is well known following the same policies as were instituted by the British colonialism to deal with Indian nature. Indian forest department has practiced replication of the same folly after independence. The question to ask our self is how to create a self-sustaining business within these constraints. How to create knowledge centre and appropriate practices in the field is the challenge. Our greenhouse has a decent enough seed bank, considering the limitation of the resources that we have to function within. We struggle on.