Different Farm Options and Volunteer Information

One such farm, "Healing Eco Farm", is located in the small village of Nagarkot, in Bhaktapur district. Lying in the hills of this disctrict, it is 35 km from Kathmandu and a one and half hour bus ride by public bus. It is just 2 km away from the renowned Nagarkot tower and High Street, a tourist attraction full of hotels which attract travelers during the dry season when mountain views are clear.

Aparna Bhatta and her family and friends live and work on this farm. They are Brahmin people. Around the village there are different ethnic groups like Tamang and Newars.  I, also Brahmin and good friend of Aparna, go to the farm when I have time to work and play, which is usually when my children have holiday from their school in Kathmandu.

Surrounding the village there is a large jungle where an occasional leopard, tiger, or bear can be spotted. We use spring water as drinking water. This water is drinkable without purification as it comes directly from the earth, purified naturally through stones and aquifers.

The name "Healing Eco Farm" was chosen to reflect the complimantary health care training component that we are in the progress of establishing as part of the farm.   These trainings will include courses on ayurvedic, herbal, homeopathic and healing touch disciplines.  Aparna is a certified Healing Touch instructor and practitioner and can teach courses for certification of levels 1-3 for small or large groups.

The farm is slowly being developed and planted, as the family has only been permanently residing there for about a half a year.  There is a big focus on herbal plants and their uses and we aim to learn and teach herbal medicine using the herbs grown on the farm.  Examples of herbs grown there now are Ashwaganda, chamomile, and mint.  We aim to make Healing Eco Farm a model that will serve as a resource and training center for the betterment of the local community.

General work that can be anticipated are tasks like planting and transplanting, weeding, harvesting, compost management and application, building projects, etc.  Fun activities will include trips to the forest, singing, dancing, games, etc.  With both work and play, we encourage volunteers to take creative liberties, feel free, and most importantly- have fun while learning.

Another major farm to which I send volunteers is Sitamai Ecological Farm in Chitwan, which is in the Terai ecological region, a 20 minute walk from the closest border of the famous Chitwan National Park.  Keep in mind volunteers will only be sent to Chitwan August - April as May - July is SO hot and humid it is almost impossible to work.  This is my family farm and it is about five acres and has many trees to provide fruit and fodder. Underneath grow pineapples, yams, ginger, sugar cane, and many medicinal herbs. We also have plots for seasonal vegetables, such as mustard greens and cauliflower in the winter and tomatoes and okra in the summer. Rice comes from our organic rice field.

We have a comfortable brick house, a wooden shed for buffaloes (which provide milk) and goats.

Clean water comes from a well and hand pump. When electricity allows water can pumped through a hose into the house.

Sitamai is not the only farm in Chitwan that hosts volunteers - there are about 15 other family farms from which to choose.  We can allocate you to a farm that most closely matches your interests and needs.  For the most part, all farms in Chitwan grow the same crops and will have similar work.

A list of other farm options/locations:

Hasera permaculture farm / Patalekhet

Surya Adhikari coffee farm / Begnas Tal

Coffee House / Begnas Tal

Tea Gardens (general, also relatives of mine) / Eastern Nepal