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Help us to make our agroecological farm green again in Combuyo, Bolivia

  • Favourited 440 times
  • Last activity: 22 Mar 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least 3 weeks

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    Be part of our experimental agroecological farm in the Bolivian country side

    Buenas, I am Noemi and I came to Bolivia to start this heart project of mine over 20 years ago. I’m running an experimental agroecological farm with 23 hectares in 3 different places located within the semiarid valleys of Cochabamba. My team consists of a few local employees working on the farm and we’re joined by international and local students who are researching and writing their thesis within their own projects and last but not the least by the workawayers that join me through this platform - all co-working, exchanging and learning together about agroforestry and agroecology. Through this work, the 23 hectares that form this place recovered their ecological value, thanks to the application of agroforestry systems coupled with agroecological measures.
    Here we proved that it is possible to produce fruits and vegetables without needing agrochemicals, simply applying the ancestral knowledge about sustainable agriculture that agroecology is providing us with. This technique has proven to be able to improve the productivity of the land and at the same time being ecologically sustainable. We have therefore contributed not only to recover soils and biodiversity at the semiarid valleys of Cochabamba, but also to promote clean food and economic security.
    In 2017 our project suffered a terrible fire. From that moment on, our team decided to reformulate the project and transform it into an “Institute for Andean Agroforestry”. This decision was founded in the desire to use all the wisdom accumulated during all these years, as well as our strong motivation to keep promoting agroecology as a tool for recovering the vulnerable ecosystem of the Semiarid Andean valleys of Bolivia.

    Now we want to start a new chapter in the projects history and get our restaurant and event place going, where we aim to promote healthy and good food from agroforestry sources and share the enjoyment and knowledge with our guests.

    We want to share our knowledge and experiences with all the people who are interested and willing to contribute within our project in order to prove that it is possible to live in harmony with Mother Earth, here we say in Quechua pachamama. And that’s where you come in - help us on our mission to make a difference.

    Which areas do we work in?

    Implementation of agroforestry systems, preparation and application of Terra Preta and Chipped Rameal Wood, use of Kon-Tiki, general maintenance tasks of the farm, application of the output of dry toilets in agroforestry, residual waters management...
    But also in our restaurant with exquisite, healthy meals made from food produced in agroforestry systems.

    What are your activities?
    Information for WOOFER & WORKAWAY
    Hello and thank you for your interest in supporting the activities in.
    The activities here depend on the seasons:
    January - last planting of young trees, cleaning of agroforestry plots.
    February: cleaning of agroforestry plots, cutting of grass and herbs, cutting of saplings
    March: Cutting grass, herbs, and shrubs, activities in the nursery
    April: Cutting grass, herbs and shrubs, collection of tree seeds, sowing in the nursery
    May: Collecting tree seeds, sowing in the nursery, watering the young trees
    June: Pruning of side trees, watering of young trees, grafting of fruit trees
    July: pruning of fruit trees and shrubs, production and cultivation of cuttings, watering of young trees
    August: Collection of irrigation water, pruning of fruit trees and shrubs, watering of young trees.
    September: Planning of new agroforestry plots, collection of irrigation water, watering of young trees
    October: preparation of new agroforestry plots, collection of irrigation water, watering of young trees
    November: implementation of new agroforestry plots, planting of young trees, collection of irrigation water, watering of new plantations
    December: Planting of young trees, collection of irrigation water, watering of new plantations (if it does not rain).
    Throughout the year you can help in vegetable gardening, animal care (donkeys, llamas, chickens, bees, guinea pigs) and in the tree nursery, all year-round Terra Preta and Fragmented Rameal Wood are produced to improve soil fertility.
    We work from 08:00 - 12:00 and 13:00 to 17:00. In compensation volunteers are welcome to take other days off completely, for example to go on an excursion.
    Please bring: Sleeping bag, flashlight, toilet paper and all what you like for breakfast.
    In exchange for helping with our daily activities, accommodation, lunch, and dinner are free and will be provided by the cook Doña Crecencia (except Sunday). Breakfast must be provided by the participants themselves. You can get everything for it in the village of Combuyo.
    More information at: ask us for the website
    Direct contact: Noemi
    As soon as you register, you will receive a description of how to find us - Institute for Andean Agroforestry.
    At this project, we strive to give the people who support our work all the knowledge about restoration agriculture, agroforestry and many other practices for a life in harmony with nature.
    If you could answer the following questions:
    What are your skills and what do you want to take with you after your stay in this project


    Which are the working conditions?

    As long as the volunteer participates in the daily tasks, lunch, dinner (only on the working days) and accommodation will be provided for free. You´ll only need to bring some food for breakfast and the days off, sleeping bag, gardening gloves and toilet paper.

    See you soon! :)
    _______
    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    The benefit for the travelers will be to know how dynamic agroforestry systems work, learn about agroecological techniques and the preparation of Terra Preta, meet international people, get to know locals and their traditions in the rural areas... This is a great place to learn outdoors about how nature really works and how we can adjust to climate change.
    _______________
    Help

    Fundraising experience welcome!
    -We would be happy to receive financial support for the ecological and social work we are doing - come and help us with that.

    You‘re a organizer? We‘re glad if you are the happy person that keeps everyone connected, organizes the work that’s on the list and meetings with coffee prepared.

    Help to do the work in the agroforestry systems, pruning of the trees, cutting the herbs, give Terra Preta to the fruit plants, update our website, build some furniture from our own wood, or simply what’s on the map when you arrive.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Farmstay help
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
    Help with Computers/ Internet
  • 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

    The benefit for the travellers will be to know how dynamic agroforestry systems work, learn about agroecological techniques and the preparation of Terra Preta, meet international people, get to know locals and their traditions in the rural areas... This is a great place to learn outdoors about how nature really works.

  • Help

    Help

    Help to do the work in the agroforestry systems, prunning of the trees, cutting the herbs, elaborate Terra Preta and to aplay it to the fruit plants, update our website, build some furniture from our own wood, build a playground for children and adults, stroke our lamas and dunkies...

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    German: Fluent
    English: Fluent
    Spanish: Fluent
    French: Fluent

    This host offers a language exchange
    The kids here in rural school learn only a bit English, but this language is so important for their life, so we always try to help learning English to them who are interested in.

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    We have for rooms; three with three beds and one room with a double-bed for couples. Please bring your own sleeping-bag.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    You can reach us easily by public transportation; please send me an email to and I will responde with a description how to find us. Time off may be used to climb the 5.035 meters high pico-Tunari , explore Quillacollo campesino-market, take a walk in company of our lamas or just relax observing the different species of animals and plants that live here.

  • 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

    We have a lot of space for parking campervans or motorhomes.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Host ref number: 785585171694

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