Growing Agroforestry Orchards

Sustainable Agroforestry practices in Mexico

GET INSPIRED

An unfinished laundry sink laid halfway across Melanie's patio. It seemed rather difficult to create space for cultivation and still have space for the much-needed launderette area. After days of remarkable efforts, a brand-new launderette and three growing beds were built. With the plants joy came and a few months later their crops included spinach, mustard and lettuce.

We all know that with new projects comes excitement and new challenges come along with them. In this case Frank and Melanie's mother, Yolanda, has joined the sowing team as more growing beds need to be built to reach their new crop goals they have in mind:coriander and radish.

Come on board and take part in this project where simple regeneration actions on the land can show you how rewarding it is to cultivate and see plants flourish. New friends and unforgettable memories will be also part of your harvest.

UN Sustainable Development Goals SDG´s 2030 Agenda

TOPIC	DESCRIPTION
	Yucatan Peninsula
	21+ yrs old
	From 4 weeks
	From 50 USD/day PLUS ** REGISTRATION FEE TO SECURE YOUR PLACE: 75USD WHEN SENDING APPPLICATION + 224USD WHEN ACCEPTED
	Volunteer's house
	Full board except Sundays when only breakfast is provided
	Included
	Arrival Transfer

This well-rounded agroforestry project aims to ensure the wellbeing of a Mayan community through agroforestry activities and entrepreneurship led by women. The program welcomes international volunteers who are interested in learning and enjoying what small indigenous communities can share with them while helping them through the agroforestry activities.

If you are hardworking, interested in preserving the environment, keen to learn about close-knit communities, enthusiastic and ready to take part in a hands-on project, come and join us in sunny Mexico.

Project Goals

To generate a sustainable management model for the local natural resources.
Create a farming community School that keeps and safeguards the traditional Mayan knowledge
To re-establish community health through regenerative agriculture and conscious diet

Requirements

No previous experience nor specific education required
Interested in hand on projects
Interested in the environment and small community projects
A ‘can do it’ attitude and initiative
Willingness and desire to help and learn from others
Level of Spanish: Basic. English is desirable but not required

Your help

You will be mainly involved in supporting agroforestry related activities

Work in nurseries
Handling of growing beds
Maintenance of irrigation systems
Irrigation
Handling of composts
Record keeping of seed library

Virtual Orientation

We are deeply commited to helping you be as prepared as possible to enjoy and fulfil your expectations for joining a program in Mexico. For that reason, there is an orientation course comprising of three distinct aspects prior to your arrival. Dates and time will be agreed upon the HUV team and the volunteer in advance.

The aspects to cover include:

Mexico and its culture
Volunteering in Mexico and learning about your chosen destination
Follow up throughout your chosen project

Arrival and Onsite Orientation

Arrival/Departure airport: Local nearby airport

Volunteers will be welcomed upon arrival at Merida airport by a caring staff member of the organization hosting you. Arrange for a flight that arrives no later than midday. You will be given the option to either have light lunch or drive you to the project site and into your accommodation before enjoying a meal. The staff member will be happy to help you with any information needed on the community or any advice needed on your arrival.

Orientation will take place on Monday morning after you have a light breakfast.

Accommodation and meals

Volunteers will be hosted at the Volunteer’s House run by the organization. Rooms are dormitory style and may be shared by up to 3 volunteers depending on the time of the year and the number of volunteers onsite. The rooms are basic, but they have all standard amenities for a comfortable stay.

All meals are included (full board), except Sunday when only breakfast is provided. Some of them are self-service, others prepared by staff members and a few more prepared as a team including the volunteer. Mexican people have a high appreciation of mealtimes, and it is a special time to relax and socialize, thus be ready to enjoy the experience.

Project Availability: All year round

Duration: You can choose dates from a minimum of 2 weeks up to 24 weeks. Arrivals are expected on a SUNDAY, and you can choose the minimum stay and subject to availability (and visa conditions) you can extend your stay through arrangements with the local team.

** if the fees for the time you are interested in volunteering for the project of your choice is not listed, please send us an enquiry and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Volunteers will share their work with local peers for around 6 hours Monday to Friday.

There are important variations on time schedules based on whether there is rainy or dry season.

A typical DRY SEASON DAY:

*TIME*	*TYPICAL ACTIVITY*
6:00 am	Self- prepared breakfast
8:00 am	Handling and maintenance of agroforestry orchards
10:00 am	Personal time for a snack, a lay down or stroll around town
12:00 pm	You will join the team at the Harvest Transformation Center as well as helping at the processing centre with activities related to food processing, seed handling, food dehydration
2:00 pm	Lunch time is shared and enjoyed also at the Food Processing Centre
4:00 pm	You will be involved again in the handling and maintenance of the orchards, however activities carried away in the afternoon are different: composting and transplanting take place, in the afternoons only
6:00 pm	Activities at the orchards and food processing centre are finalised and you are free to enjoy any leisure activity you may choose, including bike riding around town, visit the Mayan cultural centre, swim at the local Cenote (deep well)