Organic Farm

 ELI Abroad offers a unique program to work alongside an educationally focused organic farm located within the majestic National Park Nahuel Huapi, about 25 km away from San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina. This program is aimed at families, young people and adults that wish to learn and be part of the activities of an organic farm in the Argentinean Patagonia.  Volunteers will have the option to collaborate on educational projects, learn about food production, marmalade and cheese making, organic harvesting, etc. all within a breath-taking natural reserve.

Volunteers in this hands-on program will  learn about sustainable and local efforts to preserve and protect the untouched natural wonder that makes Patagonia such a special place. By getting involved directly with initiatives related to organic farming, gardening and environmental conservation, volunteers will not only gain valuable skills, but also help this wonderful project advance and meet its sustainability objectives. 

Volunteer Tasks

Vegetable garden tasks: preparing the terraces, weeding, sowing and fertilizing the land, transplanting seedlings.
Animal-related tasks: milking cows, feeding animals (cows, pigs, hens, etc.) 
Production tasks: harvesting, producing marmalades, liquors, dairy foods, preserved foods.
Maintenance and building tasks: building, maintenance and repairing shelters, corrals, stables, paths, canals, fences and irrigation systems. 

WORKING HOURS

You will be working approximately 5 hours per day, from Monday - Friday. Saturdays and Sundays will be free to explore the surrounding area. The farm is well located for hikes within the National Park without needing to venture far. The Laguna Llum, Playa Muñoz, Refugio Frey, Lagos Gutierrez and Mascardi are all nearby and very accesible. By hopping on public transportation you can also choose to spend the weekend in Bariloche City, El Bolsón, Cerro Tronador, etc. Options are endless! . 

ACCOMMODATION AND MEALS

The participants in this program will share a cabin exclusively for volunteers. This place has a fully equipped kitchen, private bathroom, a fireplace and a comfortable sitting room where you can appreciate the beautiful surrounding area. This farm offers volunteers 3 daily meals  prepared with fresh and organic ingredients. For breakfast you may have mate, tea or coffee with baked goods and homemade bread; and lunch and dinner are generally made with the local produce itself, using raw material from the farm as much as possible. This includes chicken, eggs, vegetables, etc. Some homemade meals may also include gnocci, grilled chicken in a big pan (pollo al disco), breaded meat (milanesas) with mashed potatoes or rice, Curanto (traditional indigenous way of meat cooking), pizza, fresh pasta, rice or lentils stew, asado (Argentinian traditional way of grilling meat), vegetable tarts, polenta with sauce, locro (Traditional spicy bean-and-corn-based stew), empanadas, soups, etc.

DATES AND DURATION

This program is availble from September to April requires that volunteers stay at least 7 days to get the most out of this experience. 

REQUIREMENTS

Have at least a begineer level in Spanish or French, as they are the only languages spoken in the farm. - Have a health insurance that covers against accidents, illness and civil liability. - Be flexible and have a good predisposition towards living in a natural environment, without an Internet connection and city facilities. - Be in great physical and mental shape.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Bring a sleeping bag, thick clothes, comfortable clothes for work (clothes may get dirty, stained or broken), working shoes/waterproof boots, a thick jacket, winter gloves, working gloves, towels, swimming suit, sunscreen and a flashlight. If possible, it is recommended to bring a book for the farm library. It can be fiction or non-fiction and in any language. It is important to become well informed before the trip about: Geography, distances, climate, transport lines, the environment, food, and currency exchange. There is a limited Internet connection at the Farm, so this program is not advised for people who wish to be connected to the Internet daily. Internet connection through a sim card is possible, but the signal may not be stable depending on where in the farm you are located.

 Application Fee: $200USD This is in addition to the program fee.
(Please see our application fee refund policy here)

Spanish courses in Bariloche: 

What’s included: