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Shanti Permaculture Farm

Occidental, California
MESA Notes – Public
Website :
http://ShantiOccidental.com
Blog, Online Newsletter, etc. :
Public Contact Information:
[email protected]
 

About the Placement:

Detailed Placement Description

As mentioned above, Shanti Permaculture Farm is special because it is a woman-owned, small permaculture farm. It is also special because it resides in one of the most beautiful areas of the world: West Sonoma County, California. We have the largest trees in the world (California Redwoods), gorgeous uninhabited Pacific Ocean coastlines, a close-knit community of Occidental, a performing arts center, yoga studios, world-class restaurants, wineries, brewpubs, legal marijuana dispensaries and only a 90-minute drive to the exciting city of San Fransisco. Elizabeth has traveled to 45 countries around the world and decided to settle here permanently because of this unique combination of opportunities. She loves it here in the cute hamlet of Occidental!
Nearby to Shanti Permaculture Farm are a host of other farmers raising animals and plants of all types from emus and goats to exotic plant nurseries. You can tour these independently or visit their booths at our local farmer’s markets. Elizabeth’s business philosophy is to expose her stewards and volunteers to as many new aspects of farming as possible, for she feels there is nothing nobler than teaching young people how to grow their own food.

Primary Production :

Bees/Honey, Berries, Flowers, Herbs, Poultry, Tree fruits, Sheep, Vegetables


About the Internship

Training Hours:

Elizabeth will train the MESA steward continually in the beginning, then expects to taper off the need for continual training as the MESA steward becomes familiar with her farm. She is always there to guide, demonstrate and answer questions. High season training tends to be outside and rainy season training tends to happen inside.

Training Expectations :

Elizabeth usually trains volunteers as they work together for up to six hours a day, five or six days per week. It would be convenient to have the same work requirements for MESA, but not absolutely necessary. Volunteers can choose their own days off. We often go on group outings to the beach, the Old Growth Redwood Forest, Elizabeth’s favorite swimming hole or bicycle rides together on our days off. Elizabeth loves to show off beautiful West Sonoma County to her guests!

On-Site Training, Steward’s primary activities :

Stewards at Shanti Permaculture Farm will be deeply involved in every aspect of farming, as Elizabeth is a one-woman show and needs all the help she can get! ? These duties include sowing seeds, transplanting starts, fertilizing, watering, trimming, harvesting, processing, packaging and selling vegetables, berries, and fruits, On the animal side, she always needs help feeding, watering, cleaning the coop, stacking and spreading hay, collecting, washing and packaging eggs, putting produce and eggs in the farm stand. Then there is always new or seasonal projects like splitting wood for the winter, constructing chick coops, making stairs for the yurt, installing pipes for water transfer, setting up irrigation drip systems, changing filters on water systems, weeding in the garden, repairing fences, setting up solar lights, blowing out gutters, painting stairs, cleaning the house, cooking meals, washing dishes, composting, recycling, making biochar, doing a dump run, pruning roses, sharpening tools, organizing, drying fruit, making flower arrangements, etc. So much to do and such a fun and varied schedule! There is a lot of variety at this small farm with no repetitions. We all become adept at many skills from experience at Shanti. You are welcome here!

Climate and Location Description

Shanti Permaculture Farm is located in the most desirable climate in the world: the Mediterranean Climate. Here, we experience no snow or any extremes in temperature. Days are pleasant and in the ’70s and 80’s in the summer, in the ’50s and ’60s in the winter. Summers are dry and hot, winters are wet and cool. This is a rural area with lot sizes from two to ten acres. Coleman Valley Road is considered the most beautiful road in Sonoma County and it is right outside our driveway. Public transportation is available from Occidental to the nearby towns of Sebastopol, Guernville, Santa Rosa and Forestville. Bikes are available for rides along these beautiful country roads. We live in heaven!

Compensation :

$600/month, Private room with shared bath, Free, daily food, Health insurance* (will enroll/maintain/deduct premium from Steward’s stipend/wages)

Accommodations and amenities provided :

Shanti Permaculture Farm has a spare bedroom with an attached bath. This is available to stewards. We also have an unattached massage room on the side of the main house that is used as a volunteer bedroom. You can use the bathroom in the house if you stay in the massage room. Lastly, we have camping facilities across the property and a tent to lend. Free fiber optic internet is also included.

Preferred start date :

Anytime

Preferred length of internship :

6-12 months