Community Garden in Hudson Valley, New York, USA

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    HELP NEEDED

    *️️️️ *️️️️ August 2023 *️️️️ *️️️️
    Continuing our 4th season of growing delicious, nutrient dense veggies that are donated to local agencies to help reduce food uncertainty. We're re-planting harvested beds, ordering seeds for next season, clearing brush, pruning trees, building trellises, and generally having fun!

    * * Typical Ongoing Projects * *
    + Sow seeds, plant starts;
    + Weed, mulch, prepare and spread compost;
    + Implement pest management strategies;
    + Sow, harvest, process, preserve;
    + Remove selected species;
    + Repair fences and maintain trails;
    + Plant cover crops;
    + General farm maintenance, and other chores.

    * * Stretch Projects * *
    + Build 3-4 platforms for large tents and dining tent;
    + Build composting toilets, showers, tables and benches;
    + Install solar lighting; remove
    + Help design and install a Medicinal Herb Garden as part of our labyrinth.
    + Help us build a small greenhouse that was recently donated to the garden.

    * * Art Projects **
    + Decorate stall barns, paint signs and murals of fences;
    + Create plant identification signs;

    *️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️ *️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️ *️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️ *️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️ *️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️ *️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️ *️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️ *️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️ *️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️ *️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️ *️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️

    Everything we do is toward one of our goals:
    + Improving our sustainable/regenerative farming methods,
    + Providing food to those in need in our community and region,
    + Contributing to the happiness of all we meet, and
    + Practicing compassion, generosity, and integrity.

    *️️️️️️️️️️️️️ *️️️️️️️️️️️️️ *️️️️️️️️️️️️️ *️️️️️️️️️️️️️ *️️️️️️️️️️️️️ *️️️️️️️️️️️️️ *️️️️️️️️️️️️️ *️️️️️️️️️️️️️ *️️️️️️️️️️️️️ *️️️️️️️️️️️️️ *️️️️️️️️️️️️️

    The food we grow is provided to those experiencing food uncertainty in our community and throughout the region. We'll grow herbs and flowers for culinary and medicinal use and will soon include mushrooms.

    We teach our techniques, share expertise and tools to create community gardens, teach foraging skills, and try to compost everything in sight.

    This is the place where care for the Earth, respect for all living things, and sharing the abundance of the Earth comes together!

    Help us build and create food security as well as community as we work cooperatively and acquire knowledge, skills, and experience.

    This is an unstructured learning farm that respects who you are and what you want to become. We seek persons of the highest personal integrity who want to help others, can keep track of their own time, maintain a positive attitude, and will devote their time and energy without needing direct supervision.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Farmstay help
    General Maintenance
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Our volunteers will learn that permaculture means permanent culture as well as permanent agriculture: people cooperatively working with the common goal of creating and maintaining a diverse, mostly regenerative, ecologically sound and productive food system. We accomplish this with attention to the environment, along with intentional harmony, peace and acceptance.

    We strive for a friendly and relaxed atmosphere with lots of time for our volunteer's individual pursuits and projects. Volunteers who enjoy activities in a scenic region--bicycling, hiking, art projects, photography and other endeavors--will find large amounts of personal time for expressing their creative energies and ideas. This area also has much to offer: Catskill Mountains and Berkshire Mountains, architecture, performance art, and locations of the Hudson River School of landscape painting.

    Most conversations with the hosts will be in American English, as will all project training. We welcome all cultures and all within the LGBTQ+ community.

    Depending on when you are here, and for how long, guests/volunteers will learn how a small farm operates with permaculture principles and organic practices: plant selection, no-till techniques, field design, water management, harvesting, seed saving, mulching, composting, tree planting, greenhouse projects, soil building, cover crops, maintenance of farm buildings and fences, drying. canning, pickling, and so much more. Many of these practices can be applied elsewhere to help become more self-sufficient and promote food security where you live.
    ,
    Overall, learn about permaculture, biomimicry, regenerative agriculture, agroforestry, alley cropping, and organic farming! Learn techniques and skills to take back home or other places you travel, become more independent, help reduce food insecurity, and teach others.
    Respectful political discussions and alternative viewpoints are welcome.

    Your hosts practice yoga, meditate and have been known to sing and chant. We have a small pump organ made in India called a harmonium.

    The best way to achieve and maintain peace is though travel and cultural exchange!

  • Help

    Help

    To create our forest garden, our volunteers will help us plant thousands of trees and shrubs on contour, install perimeter windbreaks, shelterbelts and living fences, and create 'alley cropping' with vegetables, flowers, and medicinal plants. Together, we'll build swales, ponds, meditation areas, a labyrinth and herb garden, hoophouses, and much more. Most work will be outdoors. Other projects include a large solar dehydrator, and boxes for bats, bluebirds, wood ducks, and owls.

    Since 2017 we have created three community gardens in addition to the one on our property. There may be an opportunity for our volunteers to contribute their time and skills to such projects, or assist with other community efforts that we support.

  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    We are developing a 'base camp' campsite for tents, tipis and tiny homes which will have running water. There is parking space with water and 120VAC connections for those traveling with a camper/trailer. We have two 'three-season' travel trailers for farm-stay guests/volunteers.

    Maximum of 6 farm-stay guests/volunteers at any time, not counting a young child or children traveling with their family--drop-ins might increase that number for a few days. *Absolutely no dogs or other pets* please--our neighbors have chickens, sheep, cattle, and horses, with large and very capable guard dogs.

    Our travel trailer will be available after last frost, usually in mid-May until late Sept/early October. We have two rooms in the house but they are not always available. Plenty of space for your tent!

    Meal preparation and cleanup is done individually, sharing is encouraged. We provide organic food on workdays of 5 hours. Maintaining any diet is the responsibility of the individual. No salt is used in food prep, but it is on the table.

    We do not have WIFI, but access is available at nearby shops and the library in town. Our entire 17.6acre/7ha property is non-smoking, non-vaping and non-tobacco, including vehicles and all accommodations- trailers, tents, etc. No alcohol, weapons or Federally-regulated substances.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    Easy access to New York City by regularly scheduled, hourly/daily trains. Touristy travel to adjoining US states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut are not too far but may require driving. The nearest border of Canada is 4 hours away, as is the Canadian side (best viewing) of Niagara Falls. By car, each direction: NYC is 2.5 hours, Boston 3 hrs, Montreal 4 hrs, Ottawa 5 hrs, and Washington DC is 6 hrs.

    There are bicycling and hiking trails in the immediate vicinity. Access to the Appalachian Trail, a 2160mi/3476km-long footpath, is about one hour's drive away. You can also paint with an artist, take photos, relax with a book or work on your own artistic project. Other destinations in this area--for locals as well as tourists--include the Catskills, Adirondacks, and Berkshires.

    For those who prefer a more challenging outdoor activity, we are 90 minutes from The Gunks (Shawangunk Mountains), a premier climbing area. Climbers will find airy roofs, big jugs and traverses. It is famous for epic one- to three-pitch climbs at all levels of difficulty. It provides some of the best moderate traditional climbing and is notorious for stiff ratings. Entry fee required [ and available online- mohonkpreserve.org/join ].

    We'll do everything we can to take you to a public transportation stop--and pick you up!--on your off-day excursions.

    Accepting other persons as they are, and being tolerant toward all opinions, is expected.

    Throughout the year we take time for local Arts- live theater, concerts, and independent films. In the past two years, for example, we have seen several plays and musicals and will try to make them a part of your stay here.

    Project days are typically Monday through Friday, we ask for 5-6 hours per day for 5-6 days per week. Our week starts on Monday and ends on Sunday.

    Would you please join us?

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    Water and 120VAC. No sewage dump. Port-a-potty nearby. Shower, galley kitchen in house.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Five hours per day, five days per week, generally anywhere between 9am-7pm--but very flexible--with 1 hour lunch break, 5 days a week Monday-Friday.

Host ref number: 313488558965

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