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Volunteer at a beautiful organic Cacao (chocolate) farm in Mangalore, India

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  • Last activity: 18 Apr 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    Welcome to our Organic Cacao Farm!

    Greetings from our lush 22-acre farm nestled in the heart of Dakshina Kannada! We're excited to invite passionate individuals to join our farm and delve into the world of organic Cacao cultivation and chocolate making. After a fulfilling career in corporate Bangalore, I followed my passion and embarked on this journey to reconnect with the land and create something sustainable.

    We have exciting activities planned each month to enhance your experience:

    Trekking Adventures

    Weekend Surfing

    What We Offer:

    At our farm, you'll experience the magic of sustainable agriculture and chocolate production. Here's what you can expect:

    Daily Farm Activities: Immerse yourself in the day-to-day operations of our farm. From harvesting Cacao pods at our friend's farm to fermenting, drying, and processing the beans into chocolate, you'll be an integral part of this journey.

    Educational Initiatives: As a member of our family, you'll also engage with our educational trust. Volunteers are encouraged to interact with underprivileged children, fostering learning and creativity within the community.

    Cultural Immersion: Experience the vibrant local culture and traditions. Depending on the season, you might witness traditional folk dance and drama. We organize local sightseeing trips and our farm is conveniently located near the beach.

    Skill Development: Learn the art of chocolate making, get your hands dirty planting cocoa trees, and assist with growing our own vegetables and fruits.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Charity Work
    Art Projects
    Help with Eco Projects
    Teaching
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Farmstay help
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    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

    Learn how to make chocolate, help you with few tips of gardening, There are 6 languages spoken by locals, we can teach you little from some of them.

  • Projects involving children

    Projects involving children

    This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

  • Help

    Help

    - Help harvesting cacao pods: The plantation with the cocoa trees is about 15-20min away by car and at a friend's farm. There the cocoa pods are growing, being harvested and the beans are taken out of the pod. After, the beans will be transported to my farm where you will help with the fermentation, drying, etc.
    - Help with the fermentation: check if the beans are ready fermented (it usually takes 7 days), open a few beans to check the inside color. If the beans are ready, wash them and bring them from the fermenting spot to the drying room (just a few steps away).
    - Help drying the beans: The fermented and washed beans have to be laid out in the drying room. After, you will have to go to the drying room every day to shift the beans around as they have to dry from all sides equally. The drying takes usually 7 days depending on the weather conditions. During the rain season and when there isn't much sun, it can take a little longer.
    - When the beans have dried and are ready, they are usually being transported to a chocolatier in Bengalore. BUT, no worries, we will keep some for you to teach you how to make chocolate. You will roast the beans, seperate the bean from the shell, get to taste the raw cocoa bean and help grinding the beans for approx. 3 days. During those 3 days you will see how the cocoa beans turn into cocoa mass, add sugar in the mean time (we usually make 100%, 80% and 55% chocolate and use palm sugar).
    - Help planting cocoa trees: Right now, most trees are at my friend's farm. It's the fermentation and drying and chocolate making that is happening on my farm. I have started planting cocoa trees to harvest cocoa on my own farm in the coming years (they usually need to grow 5 years before they give fruits, and usually another 3 years until they give fruits that are good to make cocoa). Help digging holes and planting the trees. Please be aware of the fact that this is physical work!
    - Help planting and watering our vegetables: We are growing our own vegetables and fruits too. Help planting, watering and composting.

    - If you can't do much physical work, you are of course very welcome to join me at my farm and learn all about cocoa and chocolate making. You can help us in the kitchen and learn how to cook Indian meals for us, breakfast, lunch and dinner and help with some cleaning.

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    Hindi: Fluent
    Kannada: Fluent

    This host offers a language exchange
    beginner Spanish and German

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Volunteers stay in our shared dorm room, which includes separate sections for females and a co-living space. While some parts of our factory are still under construction, we provide a comfortable and safe environment. Vegetarian food is provided, and we accommodate dietary preferences.

    We have simple kitchen that everyone has access to, the bigger factory kitchen is in works. Should be ready shortly.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    Indulge a little in the local culture, depending on the time of the year you might be lucky to check out local folk dance and drama. We can organise local sightseeing during weekends and beach is close by.

  • 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

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    We welcome digital nomads, there is good high speed broadband at the farm.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    Its a farm, there is enough space to park car, campervan or motor house.

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    We are pet friendly farm, we have our own pets too. We have a bull, a couple of dogs and cats, all rescue's. So would be more than happy to have a few more at the farm.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week and Saturday Mornings planting.

Host ref number: 415647897292

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