We are a Permaculture farm started at the end of 2015. I brought this farm in 2007 where farming idea was at random, until I found Permaculture. Since then, we have been integrating Permaculture methodology into our farm. In Nov 2017, I started on farm-stay. So we will be offering guesthouse for those who want to stay on the farm. A natural swimming pool is in the works, and not yet completed. Our project this year is to build a learning center for the local kids to come and learn conversational English from volunteers. It will be next to the fish pond (duged but no water).
We produce Organic fruits, berries, and free range chicken for Eggs for our own consumption and the local markets. As of now, our main products now Mulberries, and free range eggs, which we send most of it to a local school.
Plants that you will find on our farm are Gac fruits, Limes, Papaya, Bananas, Lemon Grass, Citronella grass, Blackberries, Raspberries, and more. Any volunteers with Permaculture or farming experience would be wonderful. I also welcome those new to farming who would like to come and learn with me.
I am starting to create value-added products to sell in stores like berry juice, preserves, etc. I also sell my produce wholesale such as Limes, Banana, and Papaya to a middleman.
Like most small farmers, I have a freelance job. So you will not see me do farming 100% of the time. I split my time between the farm and family life with my wife and son in Bangkok.
You will not be alone! There are 2 live-in staffs who maintain and do all the heavy machinery on the farm. We also have a student intern from Denmark who study International Organic Farming from March to September.
I tried to follow the below schedule; (but flexible)
Wed: Returning to farm. and reach the farm about noon
Th, Fri: Farm life
Sat: Leave for Bangkok in the morning
Sun-Tue: Bangkok life
Please help me communicate better with you and include the following on top of your message.
ARRIVALAL DATE: MM/DD LENGTH of Stay for XX Weeks
MESSAGE: One to two sentences are OK. I do read your profile.
Thanks
Gardening
Building
Cooking / shopping
General Maintenance
Farmstay
Help with Eco project
Help in the house
Animal care
Helping with Tourists
Language practice
Art project
Help with Computers / internet
There are many tasks throughout the farm. It will depend on when you come. I will be happy to send you what is being worked on at the time after you send a message. The help can be from seeding, planting, making new grow beds, making compost using the materials around the farm, compost juice/tea, propagating plants, or making value-added products. Sometimes help feed the Chicken and collect the eggs for our daily breakfast. Occasionally, we go out and sell stuff in the local market when there is a special event in town.
There may be some small construction involved such as making supports for vine type plants or building new grow bed. Any thing involving heavy machinery will be assigned to the local staff.
Since we started the farm stay, we do have on site cook. All are expected to maintain their own area and pick-up their own mess.
English, Thai
I have a spare bedroom in the house which can sleep up to 6 people on 3 bunk beds. Setting up tents is possible in camping areas in the yard and on top of my house which is a scenic viewing roof. Most volunteers opt to set up tents outdoor. Please bring your own tent and sleeping gears if you have them.
Volunteers work in exchange for 3 meals and accommodation, but we would like to charge a fee of 100 THB per day per person to cover most utilities such as food, electric, cooking gas, warm shower, 3 meals, bunk beds, and linens washing.
Things that you need to bring
1. Personal toiletry
2. Laundry detergent
3. Warm cloth and foot gear (I have spare boots, but it never fit everyone) I often work in my flip-flop
4. Tents to sleep on the rooftop are nice if you have them, bring them.
There are many local attractions in the area, including the Khao Yai National Park. They provide hiking, camping, as well as night safari to see many wild native animals. The areas near the park also offered many local private attractions, such as underground water spring (free to the public) for swimming and relaxing, mushroom farm, even an amusement park with a water theme. They are not walking distance, but rides can be arranged. Public bus from town to Khao Yai entrance is about 30 KM then you can get to the camping ground using your thumbs or tell the forest ranger that you need a ride.
Many people like to rent a scooter, which is available in town. Let me know if you need to rent one.
Pak Chong city is also nice and becoming quite comfortable to hang out during day and night. Local coffee shops are very friendly and cheap. Getting there is a 4 KM hitchhiking and a minibus ride, which total about 25 KM. Public bus to town is about 30 baht.
If time allowed, once a week or so, we do take a drive to the night market in town for locally cooked meal, which is quite enjoyable and different from the farm meal. If everyone like to, we also can stop at a pub for some live music before we head back to the farm and sleep!
Note on dogs at the farm: There are farm's dogs and sometimes other dogs come into our farm and fight for territory. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not try to separate them. They will bite stranger's hand!
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
More than two
On the farm, I can provide you with knowledge of Permaculture and Organic agriculture. You can learn from practical experience. Once I think you are OK with the task, I cut you lose and go back to my normal task of contacting customers, etc ...
Our local staffs are a library of farming knowledge, if you can get pass the language barrier.
I lived in the US for most of my youthful life. Exchanging Thai culture with me is pretty minimal, but my local staff is very friendly.
Maximum 3 hours a day, 5 days a week