Volunteer on Permaculture Farm in Hawai’i

Aloha! Thank you for considering our farm!

Our farm consists of two separate growing sites: a one-acre Permaculture mini-farm (homesite), which is a thirty-year-old working Permaculture system/ Food Forest with many fruit trees, chickens, a fish pond, some veg crops and a separate three-acre organic production/training farm, an orchard on 200 acres, which also incorporates Permaculture planning principles. Host took the Permaculture Design Course (PDC) in 1993, has thirty years of practical experience and is also a Permaculture teacher and practitioner. Nearby activities include: beaches, marine life sanctuary, horse riding, swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, hiking, mountain biking, massage therapy & yoga classes available in the surrounding community. We are looking for hard working, open minded persons that can dig holes, chop, plant, pull weeds, harvest product, shovel mulch/compost, use a machete, sickle knife, hoe, rake, shovel and weed wacker and perform other duties as needed. Persons with food preparation, customer service and mechanical skills are highly regarded. Must be in good physical condition and able to lift at least 30 Ibs. Must have good interpersonal skills and be accustomed to or willing to work hard in very hot/dry and or very wet/cool weather and with bugs. Helping hours are typically mornings Tuesday thru Saturday until 1:00pm, roughly 30 hours per week.

Volunteers also participate in a weekly community farm stand.

Accommodations are two small cottages, an outdoor shower, a compost toilet, and access to the main outdoor kitchen with wi-fi, also laundry (no dryer). Apprentice will learn all aspects of organic growing in Hawaii, as well as food preparation and Permaculture practices, aquaculture, fowl, agro-forestry, as well as an introduction to Polynesian food and other useful/ medicinal plants and their uses.

• We can accommodate up to four people at one time.
• Three month minimum stay.
• Longer term preferred.
• Access to all produce onsite, laundry, (washer only) and use of wireless internet.
• Basic foodstuffs are provided, including produce from the farm, no meat or dairy provided but volunteers are welcome to consume them at their expense.

CV / resume, with at least two work references and completed application are required for consideration. We prefer stays of 2 to 3 months.

Thank you so much for your time and consideration!

Activities:

Community outreach, Cooking, Planting, Pruning, Seeding / transplanting, Weeding

Area of our property:

total of 4 acres at two different locations

Host Type:

Permaculture, Vegetables, Orchard, Community, Market / CSA, Internship opportunities, Garden, Homestead

Organic/biological methods used on my property:

• low till, carbon sequestration
• Bio-Char
• Crop rotation
• companion planting
• Guild development
• Permaculture Design/System maintenance

Methodologies:

Biological pest control, Composting, Ecological farming, Permaculture, Without chemicals or pesticides

Animals:

Cats, Chickens/poultry, Fish

Products made:

Berries, Coffee, Compost, Flowers, Medicinals, Seeds, Tropical fruit, Vegetables

What category best describes your hosting arrangement? 🏡

• Private home/family

Location (city/town, region, country) 📍

• Haleiwa, Hawaii

What’s the mission of your community? 🎯

• Permaculture and Organic Farming Education and production farming

Notes about requirements and accessibility ✍

1. English language proficiency.
2. Able to work outside in hot, humid weather or cool rainy weather and with bugs, mud, dirt and rain.
3. Must have good interpersonal skills.

How many volunteers could you host? 🎎

• 3–5 volunteers

When do you usually need volunteers? 📅

• All year round

How many hours of help per day? ⏱

• 6 hours/day

How many days of help per week? 🌒

• 5 days/week

Notes about the work, schedule, and house rules

• Work schedule is Tuesday through Saturday, for 7a -1p

Are accommodation and food included? 🏠🍜

• Yes, food and accommodation are included

What type of accommodation can you provide? 🏕

• Dormitory/shared rooms 🛌
• Private home (host family) 🔑
• Private room for a couple 🎎
• Tent 🎪

Diet – nutrition information 🥗🥤

Basic foodstuffs are provided, as well as produce from the farm. Any diet is welcome. Stocked community kitchen provided. Volunteers prepare their own meals.

Fee transparency (required) 💳

No Fee

VISA SUPPORT – Are you able to assist with visa support, information, or provide invitation letters? 🛂

No, volunteers must arrange visas independently ❌

What volunteers receive (in addition to food/accommodation) 🏆🏅

Information about Permaculture design, system maintenance, organic farming principles, Americana music appreciation (Bluegrass, Blues). Host plays guitar and sings.

What are the available activities during free time? 🚴🚣🦒

Many nice beaches nearby, Surfing, Snorkeling, swimming, hiking in the mountains above the farm. Sightseeing around Oahu. Rental cars are sometimes available.

Languages spoken on site 🗣 🗣🇬🇧

• English

Geography 🌳

Tropical forests, Fields, beaches, mountains, Hawaiian countryside

How to get to your site ✈ 🗺

Danaiel Inouye International airport on O’ahu. Uber from airport to farm about 1.2 hours away.

Is there internet access? 🌐

Yes, reliable Wi-Fi