Wwoof- india (Willing Workers on Organic Farms)

Transportation- Varanasi is a world famous tourist spot,it is “oldest living city of world” and preserve the ages old long history of Indian culture and tradition.It is very easy to reach Varanasi both by train or plane.then from Varanasi You can book a Taxi to my village or u can write me I will arrange the things.For travelling in my village and around u can use my family bike.Language spoken- Hindi,English and Bhojpuri.Children and pets- no presently we are not able to host childrens below 10 years and pets. Diet- You will get everything that my family eat.u get everything organic, produce in my farm. U will get Milk and curd if my buffalo and cow are milking.diet will be best in term of nutrient supply and nourishment.Diet include all the north indian dishes. Hosting Experience- till date I hosted 12 peoples from different part of world and I had exellent experiences.volunteers became part of our family,everyone promised us to come back.now we feel that we have a large family in whole world.volunteers are gone but there memories r still fresh.beside WWOOF ,I hosted people through couchsurfing and workways.this is live journal of one of my volunteer

IND 117 Farm Name: The Himalayan Farm Project  Contact name: Hari Pant ( Veteran turned farmer ) · Location Above District – Nainital State Uttara Khand. The HFP is located in the hilly State of Uttara Khand in India, at an altitude of 4863 feet above MSL. This three acre Farm was abandoned by previous owners for over 16 years till we started clearing the fields of bushes and trees on 09 Oct 2011. Since then we have grown and harvested varieties of crops and have planted hundreds of trees during winter and monsoon seasons. About the Farm Project: HFP is Hari’s dream project started at age 70+ for volunteers from around the globe. Eliott Mercier, from France, is the Co- founder of The Farm Project. HPF is an all-volunteer farm project and is an intentional community of international volunteers, from consumers to producers, that intends to re-introduce the farming model as a real sustainable livelihood in respect of oneself, other people and the environment. Volunteers simply come to learn and share their knowledge with the community. The longest staying volunteer performs the duties of the Farm Steward and coordinates daily routine and specific activities. The Farm has only one paid employee. The uniqueness of the project comes from the fact that the farm is completely off the grid and effort to make it completely self-sufficient and sustainable. We expect the volunteers to accept that the farm is not for having a cheap holiday, but it helps one to see that a stress free, disease free, healthy life can be lived devoid of many so called necessities of life and they willingly join in daily farm routine and community chores. The HPF including approach to it through deciduous forest is a plastic free zone. A brief description of organic activities (crops, projects, goals etc.) During the last 33 months, we have harvested wheat, corn, ginger, onion, garlic, eggplant, salad green, potatoes, peas, varieties of squash and other seasonal veggies. We have fruit trees of Asian Pear, Mango, Guava, Pomegranate, Leechi and lemon. We have planted a number of fruit trees including avocado, grapes, peach, lemon, lime, mango, guava, jack fruit, fig, apricot, plum, apples etc during the last monsoon / winter.How long you have been doing Organic Farming 33 months. Whether the farm is certified (if yes) name of certification agency Not certified· Suggested length of stay for volunteers We prefer long term volunteers. Minimum stay is 32 day; 30 days of farm work and a day each for arrival and departure· Accommodations (number and type) Volunteers sleep in one room ( unless a volunteer has tent/ camping gear) and on mud plastered floor on mattresses. We have constructed a huge mud shala with Kitchen, a cottage for long term volunteers, two ceramic compost toilets and three eco baths. We can accommodate up to 12 volunteers at any time Non-farming opportunities/ activities (alternative construction/ restoration project, alternative energy, etc.) We need to reconstruct farm centre building made of stone and mud and we are looking for Masons and Carpenters amongst volunteers. We are on solar energy and hope to increase its capacity. We are looking for volunteers to design a micro hydel and wind energy stand alone or hybrid project. Expectations of work for volunteers All Farm related work. We expect the volunteers to accept that the farm is not for having a cheap holiday, but it helps one to see that a stress free, disease free, healthy life can be lived devoid of many so called necessities of life and they willingly join in daily farm routine and community chores. · Is transportation available? The Farm is at 4638 feet, with an over 100 years old traditional farm house with very basic accommodation almost at the very top of the hill, above a small town centre of Do Goan. From Kathgodam train station, bus taxi is available for Do Gaon (12 Km). From Do Gaon, there is a pathway trek ( one hour) leading up to the farm in Village Raila. The location is very isolated and far away from civilization. ·Languages spoken Hindi and English · Can you host children or pets? Not yet ready due to space constraint. · Special diets We are vegetarian by choice ( Awesome !!! ). We believe that this is not only a farm but a holistic healing centre too. We are reconnecting nature with healing in all our activities. We do not cook/ serve any junk food at The Farm. Vegans are welcome. · And any other specifics for your farm During its existence of 33 months, the HFP have/ had volunteers from Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Malta, Poland, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, USA and the UK besides India., Transit to/ from Nepal: India – Nepal border is about 4 hours away from Do Gaon. Mahendra Nagar in Western Nepal and Banbasa in India are border crossing points. Volunteers can hitch to Nepal border too .With best wishes for a peaceful and happy planning for the journey.Waiting to hug and hoping to collaborate with you in the service of Mother Earth

IND 118 Farm name : AviAni Farms Contact name : Ramki Bondada Location (address and description of land) :, Near to Airport, Rajahmundry, East Godavari District. Andhra Pradesh, India Reaching to the place could be by Flight, Train, Bus. There is daily direct flight to Rajahmundry from Hyderabad and also from Chennai in India. All Howrah bound trains from Chennai or Hyderabad pass thru RajahmundryA brief description of organic activities (crops, projects, goals, etc.) :5 acres of Organic farm with varieties of fruit tree. Projects: Study of plant response to various bio-nutrients. Goal is to research and develop an organic fertilizer which is best of both, quality of Bio-Fertilizer and price of complex fertilizer. How long you have been doing Organic Farming : 6 years Whether the farm is certified (if yes) name of certification agency : Planning soon Suggested length of stay for volunteers : 1 week Accommodations (number and type) : Can accommodate 10 volunteers in my farm star hotel facilities Non-farming opportunities / activities (alternative construction/ restoration project, alternative energy, etc.) :Country tour, Forest tour Expectations of work for volunteers : Disseminate knowledge and information they already gained. Also coach farmers fraternity in hour of the need for organic farming Is transportation available? : Yes Languages spoken : Telugu, English Can you host children or pets? : Children O.K Special diets : Indian And any other specifics for your farm : Farm is developed with lot of passion

IND 119 Farm nameBabu Organic Farm Contact name  - Rajendra Location – About 15 acres of organic land situated in Kanchipuram district, 50kms from Chennai airport, Tamil Nadu. We have proper irrigation facilities like bore well, pipeline all over and drip irrigation, sprinkler facilities for water supply. We have a guest house and workers quarters. Hospital, markets, schools are located within the radius of 2kms. A brief description of organic activities (crops, projects, goals, etc.) We carry out organic vegetation. Our crops include paddy, vegetables, black gram, red gram, maize, sesame, green fodder, groundnuts, millets, How long you have been doing Organic FarmingSince 2006Whether the farm is certified (if yes) name of certification agencyYes. By  IMO  certification agency Suggested length of stay for volunteers – As long as the volunteers wish to stay Accommodations (number and type)Maximum 8 can be accommodated. Male or Middle aged family are preferred. Non-farming opportunities/ activities (alternative construction/ restoration project, alternative energy, etc.)Our farm is fully equipped with tractors, transplantation machines, weeding machines, etc. We have cattle, poultry, fish pond, vermiculture in our farm. Our poultry includes fancy birds. Watch dogs for safety and security. Sheep, Goat, fish rearing, pigeons are available. Drip irrigation has been implemented recently for irrigation purposes.Expectations of work for volunteers Implementation of the knowledge and to create awareness about the organic food and its importance with full involvement and interest. Any activities that the volunteers wish to carry out in organic integrated farmingIs transportation available? Yes Languages spoken – English, Tamil, Hindi (Speak and Understand) Can you host children or pets? Yes. Special diets – Can be provided if required. Volunteers can cook and eat what they prefer to. Rice, Gas, other grocery, veg and non-veg food items are available. Eggs, Milk from farm can be used by the volunteersAnd any other specifics for your farm - We are interested in making an integrated organic farming & protect environment. We expect support from the society.

IND 120 Farm name Krushi Teerth Contact name Deepak Suchde, Location (address and description of land) Location : 7 acre land, located on the bank of Narmada river, , Dist. Dewas, Madhya Pradesh. PIN – 455339 Direction : The farm is 26 km away from Harda Railway Station, which is on Khandawa-Itarsi Line. There are buses available in every 15 minutes from Harda to Nemawar. We can come to pick you up from Nemawar, which is 5 km from our farm. A brief description of organic activities (crops, projects, goals, etc.) This farm is based on Natueco Farming Science (Nature+Eco friendly farming), which includes natural ways of farming, like – no tilling, no digging, no fertilizers and pesticides (not even organic pesticides). This farming science has got amazing simple techniques that can help farmers to have maximum yield in minimum land. These techniques includes – pruning, seed treatment, root treatment, Amrut Jal, Amrut Mitti (unique method of preparing live fertile soil in natural ways) etc. Our goal is to live with 5 L – Living, Livelihood, Learning, Laughter and Love. We empathize on enriching and enhancing eco-system symbiotically prosperity to human being without exploiting the eco system. We also believe that we can create prosperity by using advanced science from our surrounding neighborhood resources. We have all types of crops growing in the farm to sustain a family. We have 130 varieties of crops which includes pulses, serials, vegetables, fruits, herbs, firewood, live fencing etc. This farm has got 5 different models – 1. Ganga Maa Mandal (a nutrition garden, developed in 30 feet diameter land, which can be enough for a family’s nutrition). 2. 10 Guntha farm (a 1/4 acre of farm, which can provide sufficient grains, pulses, vegetables, fruits, masalas for a family of 5 people and also could provide clothing and housing from the savings). 3. Fruit Garden (a little horticulture garden). 4. Nursery 5. Man made productive forest cum theme farm (Nature’s mimicry with study of forest by using human brain. Theme farm means a farm having 5 stages of the plants, showing human intervention to harvest record yield which nature want to offer) Now long you have been doing Organic Farming For last 20 years, but current farm is 5 years old (since 2006) Whether the farm is certified (if yes) name of certification agency No. We don’t need a certificate. We are concerned for our planet, not for certification. This farm is a model farm for trainings and recognized by state govt. Suggested length of stay for volunteers From 1 month to as long as the volunteers want Accommodations (number and type) 2 Hand-made tents and a verandah available, which can accommodate maximum 10 volunteers at a time. Simple organic, healthy and vegan food will be provided. Non-farming opportunities/ activities (alternative construction/ restoration project, alternative energy, etc.) : 1Documentation 2. Library 3 Video films 4 Mud-house construction 5. Herbal gardening And making herbal medicines 6. Visiting holy places by walking around the river. 7. Music New interesting projects can be developed according to people’s interests and needs. Expectations of work for volunteers Volunteers should be prepared for physical labor and should have deep interest in farming. Is transportation available? Yes Languages spoken Hindi and local language are spoken in the village, but Gujarati, Marathi and English also is spoken at the farm.Can you host children or pets? Yes Special diets Herbal tea, Masala Pulav, Idli and Dosa Anything special can be cooked according to vegan concept and locally available materials. And any other specifics for your farm We expect people to be part of our home and practice farming as a lifestyle.

IND 121 Farm name ASB Valley Contact name V .Sankar Location (address and description of land Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu, India A brief description of organic activities (crops, projects, goals, etc.) 110 acres of land having Coconut, Mango, Cashewnut & Teak plantations. Short term crops of paddy, Sunflower, Groundnut & pulses. Silk worm rearing is in progress (Seri culture) Having future plan to do calf rearing & fresh water fish rearing. How long you have been doing Organic Farming Past ten years we have not used any chemical fertilizer to our plantation. Whether the farm is certified (if yes) name of certification agency Tamilnadu Organic Certification Department, Coimbatore Suggested length of stay for volunteers 1-3 months Accommodations (number and type) One double room guest house and dormitory accommodation for six person. Non-farming opportunities/ activities (alternative construction/ restoration project, alternative energy, etc.) Volunteer help needed to develop Resort for Nature lover. Expectations of work for volunteers To take care of the coconut plantations & other agricultural activities. Is transportation available? Yes Languages spoken: English & Tamil Can you host children or pets? Yes Special diets South Indian Food And any other specifics for your farm ASB Farm is ideally located under Western ghats with scenic environment. Farm photos can be sent on request by email.

IND 122 Farm Name: Sazaro Gudi Contact Name: Mr. Xavier Sequeira Location and Description of Land: Tiswadi, Goa. India. The farm is 4.5 acres in size. Boundaries are rough stone walls and laterite soil. On the property there is a small farm house for the caretaker. It has electricity and water as well as a pump house and small storage facilities. There is a well with a continuous supply of water which is used for irrigation. Brief description of organic activities: Crops include: fruit trees; mangoes, jackfruit, coconut,bananas, chickus, custard apples, pomegranates, papayas, pineapples and various other fruits. Seasonal vegetables include cucumber, tomatoes,ladyfinger,various green leafy vegetables. Spices include tumeric, cinnamon, This is a fully organic farm in the process of being certified. Suggested length of stay for volunteers: 4-6 weeks Accommodation: Two beds in private room in home of farm owner 6 miles away. Transportation provided to and from the farm. Alternative accommodations can also be arranged closer to farm. No children or pets. Vegetarian and non vegetarian diet available. Smoke free environment.Non-farming opportunities: Helping to improve walls and fencing of farm. Expectations of work for volunteers: Increase area of plantation and have intercrops. 6 hours 5 days a week. Language spoken: English and several Indian dialects

IND 123 Farm name: Govardhan by Narendra Gauseva Society Contact name: Rishabh Jain Location (address and description of land):  Dehradun, Uttarakhand; 3,000 square meters A brief description of organic activities (crops, projects, goals, etc.): We started off as an organisation which promoted cow welfare activities 4 years back. We had a cow shelter where we provided free food and aid to stray cows and bulls. However, we've now shifted our focus to our new centre Govardhan where we have an Ayurvedic Health Centre & Spa and a research & development section comprising of a small organic farm, 4 cows, biogas unit, solar panels for water heating, vermicompost pits and a few other similar activities. We're also working on 'home dairy development' and 'lemongrass cultivation as well as oil extraction' projects in rural areas in the state. How long you have been doing Organic Farming: few months Whether the farm is certified (if yes) name of certification agency: Not Yet Suggested length of stay for volunteers: 15 days - 180 days Accommodations (number and type): 4 rooms (shared) with 1 common bathroom Non-farming opportunities/ activities (alternative construction/ restoration project, alternative energy, etc.): Cow Welfare activities, government liaison, fund raising, renewable energy - biogas / solar, ayurveda health centre Expectations of work for volunteers: farming, animal husbandry, veterinary support, receptionist, fund raising, ayurveda medicine consultation Is transportation available? Not Yet Languages spoken: English, Urdu, Hindi Can you host children or pets?: No Special diets: No And any other specifics for your farm: NA

IND124 Farm name: Root Institute Contact name: Carlos Flores Location (address and description of land): PO Bodhgaya Gaya District Bihar 824 231 INDIA A brief description of organic activities (crops, projects, goals, etc.) Root Institute would like to maximize the productivity of our gardens and small field near our site to grow our own organic vegetables and fruits. We need guidance in planting and maintaining productive organic crops that can contribute to a higher quality of food in our site.  How long you have been doing Organic Farming Not currently Whether the farm is certified (if yes) name of certification agency Our site is not a farm but an Institute with garden space and a small parcel. Suggested length of stay for volunteers 3 months to 1 year Accommodations (number and type) A dormitory bed, shared bathroom including hot running water Non-farming opportunities/ activities (alternative construction/ restoration project, alternative energy, etc.) May engage in restoration and/or other necessary construction in our current garden areas and parcel. There is an opportunity to propagate the organic culture through our mobile clinic which visits villages around Bodhgaya. Bihar is currently advocating and supporting this farming culture and represents an opportunity to expand the organic farms. If engaged in this opportunity, the accomodations may be extended to a 1 year period at Root Institute. Expectations of work for volunteers Expected to provide and assist in the preparation of land, planting and harvesting of various vegetables and/or fruits. No more than five hours per day would be sufficient. In addition, we would expect provision of a maintenance method for crops and plants or trees. Is transportation available? No transportation necessary for plantation but it is available for business use. Languages spoken English and Hindi Can you host children or pets? No Special diets Root Institute provides 3 vegetarian meals a day And any other specifics for your farm Root Institute aims to provide a realistic contribution to the preservation of the ancient and deep knowledge of India.Root Institute provides a conducive environment for people of any nationality or religion to study and meditate on the Mahayana Buddhist teachings. We offer high standard, comfortable, clean and affordable accommodation, a well-stocked library, delicious vegetarian food, regular Buddhist meditation courses and workshops, and fully serviced private retreat facilities. The Institute is just 15 minutes walk from the Great Stupa of Buddha's Enlightenment, a short flight from Kathmandu or an overnight train from the capital cities of New Delhi and Calcutta.

IND 125 Farm name :Maa Ishwari Krishi Pariyojana • Contact name: Chandranani Singh Phone / • Location (address and description of land); Saharsa ( Bihar ) •    A brief description of organic activities (crops, projects, goals, etc.) :   Vermicomposting and Dairy farming •    How long you have been doing Organic Farming: More than 5 years •    Whether the farm is certified (if yes) name of certification agency; No • Suggested length of stay for volunteers ; Minimum 1 week •    Accommodations (number and type) : Accomodation for 3-4 people•    Non-farming opportunities/ activities (alternative construction /restoration project, alternative energy, etc.) : Help in Oil extraction machine installed at farm• Expectations of work for volunteers; Help in farming activity  Vermicomposting and dairy farming we have about 60 Cows Is transportation available? Yes • Languages spoken : English and Hindi • Can you host children or pets? : Yes •    Special diets No • 

IND126 Farm name Gemsfarms  Contact name  GeorgeVarghese  Location (address and description of land)  Trivandrum, Kerala India?  THEY CAN REACH AIRPORT TRIVANDRUM, ABT 20KM FROM RAILWAY AND BUS STATION. BUT WE CAN ARRANGE TRANSPORTATION.A brief description of organic activities (crops, projects, goals, etc.) Vegetables and fruit trees? THE WHOLE FARM IS 25 ACRES. MOSTLY CULTIVATED WITH RUBBER. ONLY ABT 5 ACRES AVAILABLE FOR FARMING. MAINLY VEGETABLE AND FRUIT .