HUERTA DE VIDA

2013-2014 Intern Program

Huerta de Vida is where we express and practice our gratitude for the Earth, the Stars, the Plants, the Animals and Each Other.  This project is the 3D manifestation of our respective and related karmas.  We welcome new friends who are ready to accompany us and take authentic strides forward as full spectrum human beings, who have learned and are learning to be motivated by love and not by fear, who are actively involved in healing themselves and becoming whole and noble beings.  We welcome those who intend to celebrate and laugh and love and live as much as possible in the process.

Huerta de Vida lies within a small valley oasis at the foot of the tallest mountains in the Western Hemisphere.  An ancient irrigation system channels snowmelt from the Andes into the Valle de Uco, converting desert into a green stretch of farms, weeping willows and fire flies.  The powerful beauty of this place masks a very ugly reality of conventional chemical monoculture, with a new Monsanto facility just outside of Mendoza.  Huerta de Vida began as degraded land that is progressively being brought back to life as an edible forest garden.   We also belong to a growing, resilient network of organic family farmers and passionate permaculturalists.  Together, we share our vision of conscious cultivation of local, sustainable, and spirited productivity of life´s essentials on our shared, precious planet though weekly organic farmers market, seed exchanges, and workshops. 

Who we are: 

Margot- Many years in the laboratory of my life.  In the zone pretty much all day every day. Shamanism and consciousness-expanding plants amongst my many teachers.  Lifelong hippy, feminist, social justice and environmental activist and grateful for it all.  Worked way too many years in ¨healthcare¨.  No longer limited to physical medicine. Lived in variety of communities for long time. Lots to say regarding imperialist foreign and domestic policy. Currently serve as coordinator for weekly farmer´s market in Mendoza. Love BIG ideas. Generally sassy.  Favorite quote ¨the doors of heaven open wide for those who bring laughter to their companions¨  Pretty sure it´s time to create heaven on earth...amen.

Vida- Completed my undergraduate education at a big bucks university and then decided, much to my grandparent´s horror, nothing beats a good compost!  Past work has included volunteer farming in Spain, urban farming with The Food Project (Boston), gardening at The Heifer Project (Rutland, Massachusetts), and natural building at Finca Bonafide (Ometepe, Nicaragua).   Deep ventures into the permaculture realm have included Bio-Intensive Gardening Apprenticeship at Proyecto CIESA (El Bolson, Argentina), Natural Building Apprenticeship at House Alive in Jacksonville, Oregon, Permaculture Design Course with the Bullock Brothers (Orcas Island), and Edible Food Forest Design Course with Dave Jacke (Portland, Oregon).  Will be at Huerta de Vida in  2014.

Who we are looking for:

Kitchen wizards:  Good food and upbeat kitchen vibe are clear project priorities.  We need 2 kitchen people who are dedicated to creative and punctual eating (the people must be fed on time), conscious food purchasing and food utilization within project budget, use of garden and local farmer´s markets produce, maintain and promote kitchen and cabin cleanliness, bake bread twice/week for Huerta de Vida consumption plus farmers market, process garden produce (drying, canning, sprouting, and fermentation).  Kitchen wizards are responsible for preparing 2-3 meals/day except on off days, which are self-service meals.   Kitchen people need to arrive 1 day before beginning of session for food orientation and pay $175/ session.  

Garden Fairies and Natural Construction Warriors:  These folks establish and maintain garden momentum and energy necessary for growing power soil and food, also necessary is a strong desire to learn and experiment with natural construction.  Tasks range from garden bed prep, direct seeding, seedlings,  transplanting, living and dry mulching, composting, biochar, flood irrigating, harvesting, and cover cropping, food  foresting, building walls and floors with cane, strawbale, bottle bricks, and earthen plasters. 

Session Cost:   USD $250/ session, USD $50 deposit to reserve space; $750 pesos argentinos/session for interns from Latin America, deposit $100 pesos argentinos).  Huerta de Vida meals do not include meat or alcoholic beverages.  Food is vegetarian, not vegan.  The session cost provides for a delicious food budget and the materials necessary to provide solid, educational work projects for our interns.  

Multiple Sessions:  Each session is packed to the brim with different learning opportunities.  For those who have the opportunity to continue their time at Huerta de Vida, we suggest that you sign up for multiple sessions.  We ask that interns plan trips elsewhere during the time in between sessions so that we have a chance to rest and prepare for the next wave of interns.  It´s cool that a variety of folks, foreign and local, have chosen to be here more than just once.  We can suggest many beautiful adventures around Argentina and Chile that deserve your time. 

Living in Community:  People live, learn and work best together and get more done when they understand not just what and how to do something but what the overall objective is.   We will provide leadership, teaching/coaching, friendship, empowerment, encouragement, and reality checks/feedback.  We guide our interns through the work projects.  Our priority is to share our knowledge with interns as well as accomplish project goals on time and with a strong sense of pride in the quality of our work.  Direct and honest communication is our sincere intention.  Each session starts with a full day orientation for all participants.  Community meetings happen once a week. 

Work Schedule:  On average our schedule reflects 6-7 hours of physical activity/day and 3-5 hours of siesta (rest and personal time) after lunch.  Individual chores are done everyevery day, including days off, to KEEP EVERYBODY HAPPY.  Each day starts punctually with individual chores/tea or coffee/brief organizing meeting. A strong start in the morning is key to our objectives.  We call it the hour of power (actually it´s more like 90 minutes of power but that doesn´t rhyme).  Don´t worry, a delicious breakfast greets our return from the field.  Our schedule is designed to minimize working in the strong sun.  We do garden tasks first thing in the morning and after the sun mellows in the late afternoon.  When the sun is intense we will work in the shade, frequently in natural construction.  As much as possible we will stick to the schedule, yet at other times we stick to the task at hand until it´s done, rather than worry about the time. Folks who are doing particularly strenuous work are to receive plenty of love.  We leave no worker behind.  REAL IMPORTANT:  A big part of being here is learning how to be productive.  However, interning at Huerta de Vida is not a J-O-B.  We do our best to offer wise leadership and comradeship.  We consciously choose not to work with folks who need an external authority figure to boss them around.  Work, life and joy are not separate here. We take pride in our individual and collective endeavors, whether we are ¨working¨ or ¨playing¨.   And we are really good at having fun…

Field Trips:  Local wineries; worker-controlled tomato sauce cooperative; bolivian flea market; social justice mobilizations; cultural/music events, seed exchanges, farmers´ markets, marches, celebrations, speakers, films, occasional bonfires right here at home…

Session 1: Setting the Stage

(Arrive September 10 – Depart October 6)

What To Expect:  Plant seedlings for summer crops and direct seed spring garden; prep of planting beds; tune-up of irrigation system; compost utilization and renewal; fertilization and dormant oil spraying of all trees and perennials; plant and harvest of cover crop; animal care-construct corrals for rotational grazing; redesign garden beds on contour; inoculate garden beds with biochar; build drying racks; organize tree and plant nursery.

Work Schedule:  Tuesday-Saturday, 8:00 am - 8 pm.    Breakfast 9 am, lunch/siesta 1-5, dinner 8 pm.  Group meeting Thursdays after siesta, followed by optional yoga/visualization or documentary. 

Session 2:  Making it Happen

(Arrive October 15 – Depart November 10)

What To Expect:  We will keep the garden evolving; dig contour garden beds, garden bed prep; make and apply biochar for fruit trees, compost tea and foliar spraying to the max;  establish rainwater harvesting system; fruit canning and drying ie apricots, plums, cherries.

Work Schedule:  Tuesday-Saturday, 8 am - 8 pm.  Breakfast 9 am, lunch/siesta 1-5, dinner 8 pm.  Group meeting Thursdays after siesta, followed by optional yoga/visualization or documentary. 

Session 3:

(Arrive  November 19 – Depart December 15

What To Expect:  Keep the garden wheel turning; transplant and foster seedlings; contour garden beds; plenty of watering; weeding; vigilence for bug predators; regular foliar feeding; tend bees; walk the talk of ecological food production.

Work Schedule:  Tuesday-Saturday, 7 am - 8 pm.  Breakfast 8:00 am, lunch/siesta 1-6, dinner 8.  Group meeting Thursdays after siesta, followed by optional yoga/visualization or documentary. 

Session 4:  Summer Intensive

(Arrive January 5 – Depart February 2)

What To Expect:   Full spectrum of  growing and harvesting food plus natural construction; keep garden going strong, plenty o´ weeding; start fall seedlings; contour garden beds; harvest and preserve peaches and nectarines; lots of tomato drying and canning; make herbal and flower wine; window and door framing; build Walipini underground greenhouse; build bat houses.

Work Schedule:  Tuesday-Saturday, 7 am – 7 pm.  Breakfast 8:30 am, lunch/siesta 1-5 pm, dinner 7 pm.   Group meeting Thursdays after siesta, followed by optional yoga/visualization or documentary. 

Session 5:  Growth Spurt

(Arrive February 11 - Depart March 9)

What To Expect:  Put in fall garden, cover crop, continue summer harvest & contour garden beds; seed saving; lots of drying and canning, complete Walipini underground greenhouse; frame and install doors and windows; complete bat houses.

Work Schedule:  Tuesday-Saturday, 8 am – 7:00 pm.  Breakfast 9 am, lunch/siesta 1-5 pm, dinner 7:00 pm.  Group meeting Thursdays after siesta, followed by optional yoga/visualization or documentary. 

Session 6:  Abundance

(Arrive March 18 – Depart April 13)

What To Expect: Full time harvesting;  transplant/direct seed fall garden; contour garden beds; continue harvest; seed saving; garden map and next year´s rotation map; cover cropping; animal care; organize tree and plant nursery; start winterizing; nonstop food preservation.

Work Schedule:  Tuesday-Saturday, 8 am – 6:30 pm.  Breakfast 9 am, lunch/siesta 1-4, dinner 6:30 pm.  Group meeting Thursdays after siesta, followed by optional yoga/visualization or documentary. 

Recommended Reading and Films: We have most of the following mind expanders...so please bring a copy of your favorite mindblowing-lifechanging book or film with you!  Areas of particular interest that we don´t have include:  Neuroplasticity; more Carlos Casteñeda; Fidel´s new books:  Guerrillero de tiempo

Books:  Deep Economy (Bill Mckibben); The Four Agreements (Don Miguel Ruiz) ; Shaman, Healer, Sage (Alberto Villoldo); Sacred Mirrors/Alex Grey; Medicine for the Earth (Sandra Ingerman); Confessions of an Economic Hitman (John Perkins) The Humanure Handbook (John Jenkins; Fields of Plenty (Michael Ableman), The Unlikely Peace at Cuchumaquic (Martin Prechtel). 

Films: The Take (Naomi Klein); Il Postino; Fidel; The Future of Food; The World According to Monsanto; The Mission; Healing the Luminous Body;  The Revolution Will Not Be Televised; Life and Debt; ¡SALUD!; Orgasmic Birth

2012-2013 Season

Hola gente! I’m looking for 6 solid and spirited core people from September 2012 until end of December 2012 who are ready coalesce into a lively production group. We will receive a second group at the end of December to stay until April 2013. If these dates don’t work for you but your desire to be here is strong, let me know and we’ll figure it out. Each person will assume co-stewardship of a key aspect of the project, ie, animals/compost/worms; garden/greenhouse tunnel; irrigation/water management/mud making; harvest/drying/canning/seed saving; and building (experience necessary for this one). I will teach/coach group to assure a satisfying experience for all, manage resources, and coordinate and guide project progress. If you desire to ace more than one focus, we will rotate at the right moment. Group info base will morph via group meetings, sharing our own knowledge and experience, local permaculture folks, dvd’s, reference books and internet. The garden and the stars above will teach us the rest. Laughter, curiosity, imagination and dedication are essential. I love to be amongst folks who are passionate about conscious, sustainable living and joyful stewardship of a small bit of land. The Four Agreements written by Don Miguel Ruiz form the basis of our community here. Please be familiar with these principles...I am happy to put you in touch with folks who have already been here. Food collaboration $80 pesos/week/person. Experience does matter but attitude and desire are supreme! Maturity, flexibility, an outrageous sense of humor and physical and psychological strength will all come in handy. Spanish language capability desirable, but not required . Big learning, big growth guaranteed. If you’re feeling it, make it happen. 

Hola gente! Busco 6 personas solidas y comprometidos sobre el medio ambiente desde el septiembre 2012 hasta el fin deciembre. se necesita tener ganas formar un grupo dinámico y productivo. Al fin de deciembre formamos el segundo grupo para estar hasta fin de abril 2013. Si estas fechas no son posibles pero tu deseo es fuerte, avíseme y podemos hablar. Cada persona va a ser guardián de cierto aspecto clave del proyecto, pro ejemplo: animales/compostaje/lombrices; huerta y invernadero; irrigación/manejo del agua/hacer barro; cosecha/preservación de comida en frasco y seco/salvar semillas; construcción (se necesita experiencia por esto). Yo enseño y aconsejo al grupo para asegurar una experiencia exitosa para todos. Además, manejo los recursos, coordinar y guiar el progreso del proyecto. Si desean aprender más que un aspecto podemos rotar. Vamos aprendiendo todos por reuniones grupales, compartiendo nuestra propia conocimiento y experiencia, gente local de permacultura, dvd’s, libros de referencia y el internet. La huerta y las estrellas nos va a enseñar el resto…Risa, curiosidad, imaginación y dedicación son requeridos. Me encanta estar entre compañeros apasionados de la vida conciente y sostenible en hacerse guardián de un terrenito. Si quiera, le puede poner en contacto con voluntarios recienes. Los Cuatro Acuerdos escribo por Don Miguel Ruiz es el basis de nuestra comunidad aca. Por favor de haber leido y estar familiar con estos principios! Colaboracion de comida $80/pesos/semana/persona. Si esto no es posible para vos, hableme...quiero que esta experience y aprendizaje esta disponsible a todos!!! La experiencia importa pero mas vale el actitud y el deseo. Madurez, flexibilidad, sentido de humor fuerte, alguna fortaleza física y psicológica son importantes también. Hablar un poco ingles estaría bien, pero no requisito. Si te anima, hazlo.

We LOVE...

 Building with strawbales, cane, earthen plaster and floors, and wine bottles...

Cover cropping, compost, humanure, companion planting,  seed saving, and mulching til the sun don't shine...  

Sheep, rabbits, chickens, earthworms, loads of symbiotic bacteria, and a puppy from Peru... 

Eating straight from the garden, baking in our cob oven, sun drying veggies...  

I was here last January and my experience there was completely awesome. I learned a lot about organic farming, I helped build with mud and straw and many (many!) other interesting things, and I had the chance to practice my English in my own country.  But above all that, I had the opportunity of sharing beautiful moments with super sensitive-wise-connected people.  It was a full experience, because I improved my knowledge about plants but also I improve my character and evolve my being.  I left Huerta de Vida, knowing that I want to come back sometime (and the sooner the better!).  Now I´m growing some seeds that Margot gave me, they are growing strong and beautiful!

Some general things if you are thinking of going or not to visit here:

1.Just go! You won´t regret!!!

2.The food is delicious, and you can cook for the rest and receive a lot of love back for your favor.

3.They have a very good library.  It doesn´t matter if you are an English or Spanish speaker, on the farm you have books in both languages!

4.Growing food organically is an experience that changes your mind forever. You won´t be the same person after you discover how powerful you are working with nature instead of "against" it.

--Anita Lanita (Buenos Aires, Argentina), 2011-2012 Season

This place is truly an amazing and unique experience. To me it almost seemed to be more of an educational center than a farm, simply because of the wealth of knowledge that Margot and Vida possess about sustainable agriculture, public health and food policy. They were unbelievable resources for a myriad of subjects, and that is what separates here from the other farms I visited- they are willing to teach and share all they know with whomever is eager to learn. Also, all of this is done in an inviting, caring environment. Everyone that partakes in this little community does their share happily and enthusiastically which makes it all the more enjoyable. There is always interesting conversation and fun and creative post-dinner activities (whether that means a card game, farm Olympics, a talent show, or simply a fire out back), which makes such a wonderful environment to work and play. Without a doubt, this was the best farm experience I had in all of South America and I cannot thank Margot and Vida enough! 

--Wes B (USA), 2010-2011 Season.  

Spring 2011

Many blessings...Many changes

Hola compas! Last year's season was a wild, wonderful ride with so many wild, wonderful folks...I am so grateful and feel very honored to know each and every person who found their way here...We all synchronized an incredible variety of talents, experience, perceptions, earnest effort, laughter and and determination...Our shared labors coaxed Huerta de Vida to a new level of potential...New "goodies" here include: Electricity (think music, computer, movies) oh yes, and a light bulb!...A voluptuous outdoor wood-efficient oven (her name is Sophia)...Nearly completed wood-heated and fuel-efficient seating area inside cabin...Harvest/coppice of tall trees for lumber...BUNKBEDS and SHELVES for storage (yeah!)...My very cool cat, Humo...A plastic tunnel greenhouse in the field...Collaboration with neighbor friends to conduct very successful rocket stove construction workshop...The emergence of more local allies, permaculturalists, visionaries, cosmic messengers, wise folks...I feel certain that we have been blessed to do this beautiful, necessary and creative work here with folks who have tuned into quantum life.

Vida has moved on to follow her guiding stars. This beautiful place and the opportunity for so many to learn by doing are the reflection of her vision and hard work. She is a powerful teacher and has my heartfelt gratitude and respect.

This winter has been filled with lots of visitors, new friends and old souls...My winter dreams to be realized this coming year include: Initiation of a small CSA (community-suppported agriculture); Increased collaboration and inclusion of folks ready to "make the change", including emphasis on an apprentice-type of volunteer experience and increased effort to recruit Argentian volunteers...Construction of the outdoor common area which will be utilized as a classroom/kitchen/meeting area...Incorporation of more animal allies, ie, a flock of laying chickens and ducks; Bee hives; A mama sheep and her 1 or 2 lambs; A bunny stud to get things moving in the bunny department. Also, reflection pond outsided the large house to reflect light and heat into the interior greenhouse, attract frogs, toads, garden snakes and allow cultivation of water plants...And very importantly, completion of the house!!!

Despite being black-listed by WWOOF there are good folks getting ready to show up and help get things rolling. Many of you may have already seen this year's recruitment shout-out. If not, here it is along with a little therapeutic reflection re WWOOF:

Huerta de Vida Optimal Scenario 2011 Season
***en castellano abajo***

Hola gente! I’m looking for 5 spirited core people from mid-September 2011 until mid-February 2012 who are ready coalesce into a lively production group. If these dates don’t work for you but your desire to be here is strong, let me know and we’ll figure it out. We will each assume co-stewardship of a key aspect of the project, ie,
animals/compost/worms; garden/greenhouse tunnel; irrigation/water management/mud making; harvest/drying/canning/seed saving; and building (experience necessary for this one). I will teach/coach group to assure a satisfying experience for all, manage resources, and coordinate and guide project progress. If you desire to ace more than one focus, we will rotate at the right moment. Group info base will morph via group meetings, sharing our own knowledge and experience, local permaculture folks, dvd’s, reference books and internet. The garden and the stars above will teach us the rest.
Laughter, curiosity, imagination and dedication are essential. I love to be amongst folks who are passionate about conscious, sustainable living and joyful stewardship of a small bit of land. I am happy to put you in touch with folks who have already been here.
Experience does matter but attitude and desire are supreme! Maturity, flexibility, an outrageous sense of humor and physical and psychological strength will all come in handy. Spanish language capability desirable, but not required . Big learning, big growth guaranteed. If you’re feeling it, make it happen. Margot

*******************************************************************

Huerta de Vida: Escenario Optimo Temporada 2011

Hola gente! Busco 5 personas animadas desde el medio de septiembre 2011 hasta el medio de febrero con ganas formar un grupo dinámico y productivo. Si estas fechas no son posibles pero tu deseo es fuerte, avíseme y podemos hablar. Cada persona va a ser guardián de cierto aspecto clave del proyecto, pro ejemplo: animales/compostaje/lombrices; huerta y invernadero; irrigación/manejo del agua/hacer barro; cosecha/preservación de comida en frasco y seco/salvar semillas; construcción (se necesita experiencia por esto).
Yo enseño y aconsejo al grupo para asegurar una experiencia exitosa para todos. Además, manejo los recursos, coordinar y guiar el progreso del proyecto. Si desean aprender más que un aspecto podemos rotar. Vamos aprendiendo todos por reuniones grupales, compartiendo nuestra propia conocimiento y experiencia, gente local de permacultura, dvd’s, libros de referencia y el internet. La huerta y las estrellas nos va a enseñar el resto…Risa, curiosidad, imaginación y dedicación son requeridos. Me encanta estar entre compañeros apasionados de la vida conciente y sostenible en hacerse guardián de un terrenito. Si quiera, le puede poner en contacto con voluntarios recienes. La experiencia importa pero mas vale el actitud y el deseo. Madurez, flexibilidad, sentido de humor fuerte, alguna fortaleza física y psicológica son importantes también. Hablar un poco ingles estaría bien, pero no es requisito. Si te anima, hazlo.
Margot
*****************************************************************

BITE ME WWOOF

Fact: The WWOOF organization could not exist without small farmers. WWOOF charges for their list of small farm contact information. Fair enough. The charge applied is per individual, that is, each person of a couple and for each child. In many cases you have to pay for information for individual countries. These individual fees are good for 1 year. Do the math yourself… That’s a pretty chunky bank account, folks.

HdeV got the WWOOF boot for asking volunteers in an straightforward fashion for a weekly food contribution, equivalent to the cost of say 1.5 meals at a restaurant in any Argentinean town.
This cash moves through my pocket into local economy…no $ parked in my bank account. Folks who have come to HdeV give us great reviews consistently, eat well, laugh hard, stay healthy and learn a lot. We have also taken in plenty of folks who were having an unpleasant time at other WWOOF-listed farms. Latin American folks without $ are received here at no cost or for barter.

Prior to Huerta de Vida being booted from the WWOOF list I had noticed the long numerical code WWOOF volunteers were using to communicate with me. Kinda creepy. Seems like this price code-like number is how WWOOF keeps track of who has paid for their info and who hasn’t. Definitely creepy. WWOOF pockets a ton o’ cash and unilaterally decides whether I can ask you for a pretty reasonable food contribution. When I communicated with WWOOF Argentina about being blacklisted I received a patronizing message offering to help me figure out a better way to run my project.

Ok, so now I’m pissed. This smells familiar! Isn’t this the same sick Monsanto model that disempowers people and f*cks up the planet? freakin’ robotic bureaucraps…I trust you to make your own decision…I have cordially invited WWOOF Argentina to visit us here at HdeV any time they’re ready to join folks doing real work. I think it would be a lot of fun…even offered to throw in a pair of used but still comfy work gloves. No reply yet. I bet esos cabrones are buffing their Blackberries…

Please recommend helpX.com. volunteerlatinamerica.com, and/or growfood.org to your friends and let me know of other such user-friendly websites or just post huertadevida.blogspot.com anywhere your wild heart desires. I need a good crop of good folks this next season, bring ‘em on…