Ecological Farming Program

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I ntroducation to Eco-farming

Ecological Farming or more commonly known as Eco-Farming is a way of cultivating agriculture that places an emphasis on both the health of the environment and the health of its consumers. Long before conventional and modern agriculture practices have been put into place, people had farmed in an eco-friendly way. However, t he ease and convenience of the modern-day agriculture, such palm oil agriculture produc es crops at a higher yield but can cause severe damage to the land, causing soil erosion and changes to the biodiversity. Besides producing healthy and safe-to-consume agriculture products, ecological farming also provides other benefits, such as minimized environmental pollution and contamination through agricultural activities, and maintenance of soil productivity and fertility in the long term. All of which add up to improved sustainable use of natural resources and of the environment.

Volunteers will a ssist on Erna's Eco Farm & community garden, which is located in the village of Gotong Royong, North Sumatr a. The eco-farm is surrounded by rice paddies, agro-forests, and the jungle. All of that combined is true beauty in its most rawest of forms. The eco- farm is a short distance from her homestay and the communal garden is within walking distance. Erna started focusing on her land 10 years and with the help of the Rufford Foundation 4 years ago, was able to develop the farm as organic. The farm is in the initial stages of becoming a productive ecological farm which aims to create a sustainable land management system to encourage economic growth and biodiversity. Erna future plans in clude working with volunteers and people with knowledge of organic and permaculture farming, to develop school sessions at the farm, to open the farm to the public so they can learn about the plants, their uses, and medicinal properties. Erna is a lovely lady and very passionate about making the farm work for her and the community and to encourage others to follow .

Details

Volunteers will stay at Erna’s homestay, in one of the two beautiful rooms that overlook her garden. There is also the possibility of 4 people sleeping at the farm in a basic house for free. However this is still i n the process of being made liveable, and we would ask volunteers to donate or buy furniture, kitchen equipment to make it more liveable. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Erna will certainly make you feel at home, and it will give volunteers to indulge in the local life and culture. Volunteers will work on the farm for around 3 -5 hours a day, then return to the homestay for lunch and rest. The days are dynamic and work can be hard and range from general gardening, taking the animals such as goats or sheep for a walk, picking fruit, recycling, composting and helping to bring local children to the farm and showing them around. Volunteers will work in collaboration with Erna on what projects she wants to work on and work alongside Papa (Erna’s Husband) at the farm who speaks little English, but is extremely friendly and helpful. Volunteers do not have to bring anything, but gardening, growing vegetable books would be helpful. We expect this to be a fun learning experience.
The experience is what you want to make it. The space itself is phenomenal, and an opportunity for you to paint your own picture.

Volunteers will be taken to the Bukit Lawang Trust initially to be introduced to people, then taken to Erna's Homestay to settle in and visit the farm.

Typical Day
You will volunteer for roughly 3-5 hours per day. The start times and daily workload depends on what project your working on, but a typical morning schedule is:

7:00 AM Volunteers wake up and get breakfast.
8.30 AM Volunteers will travel to the location of their farming project.
9.00 AM Volunteers will begin their daily work (you can decide to start earlier, especially during dry season as it will be cooler). Can take a mid-morning break and drink fresh coconut water taken from one of the trees.
12:30 -1pm: Go back to Erna’s Homestay for lunch and relax
2pm: Afternoon is free, but generally we would hope volunteers would come to help at the Bukit Lawang Trust Centre. In the evenings, you can visit Bukit Lawang or just relax is the peaceful surroundings of the homestay

Preferable Skills
- to have some knowledge of gardening ** Not essential, but if you are hard working and keen to make an impact that's just as good
- to be able to work alone
- to work on one's own initiative
- to be able to work outside in sometimes very hot conditions
- willing to learn basic Indonesian

We accept volunteers throughout the year for 60 day placements. We encourage volunteers of all ages above 18 years to come and give it a go. There is plenty of work to do be done, either working on the farm or helping to make it more presentable with signage, exhibitions to encourage the outside community to come and learn.