🏢 About the local organisation
Organic farming is a cultivation system based on the natural biological cycle of the ecosystem, biodiversity that suits climatic conditions and local soil, combined with traditional farming science and technology; without the usage of synthetic chemicals (such as plant protection products, growth regulators, chemical fertilizers …) in order to create products that are suitable for the benefit of people and the environment, protecting the well-being of man, land and ecosystems.
In order to bring the healthy product to the customer, the core members of this project have been working strenuously to reach their dream.
After 4 years of effort doing research, investment, and standardizing the process of growing vegetables organically, the current vegetable garden is now nearly 5000 m2, in the out-skirt district of HCMC, has become reach a stable output of over 10 kinds of leaf vegetables and some kind of fruits.
The farm’s products are grown in natural harmony by re-balancing the ecological environment for the cultivation of crops. Pest control by using natural traditional methods (which are empirically proven in the scientific assessment to be effective) and in particular, absolute compliance to the 6 NOs:
NO pesticides & herbicides
NO planting on soil and water contaminated with agricultural chemicals (*)
NO growth regulators
NO chemical fertilizers
NO of genetically modified seeds (GM seeds)
NO preservatives
In this farm, the workers use a high standard technology based on software to ensure the quality and capacity of the products. The routine tasks on this farm:
1. Check plants regularly to find ecosystem pattern of the land
2. Field sanitation and plants healthy
3. Planning the seasonal crops
4. Use many species for intercropping, crop rotation as needed
5. Create environment for development of beneficial insects (predators)
6. Crops trap, pheromones trap
7. Measures for expelling insects (done synchronously and before the pests lay eggs)
8. Shielding vegetables in rows, or a greenhouse, membrane
9. Use resistant varieties
10. Apply insecticides of biological origin
Beside the main activities about farming, The owners of this farm also operate Education activities for children: On weekends, instead of going to the places of entertainment, parents can also add a fresh, educational attraction for children at the Happy organic garden. The children will have fun activities in the garden, learning about beneficial insects and harmful ones, how farmers plant and care for vegetables … With kindergartens, the children’s visit is a way to help them acquire more knowledge outside of books, helping them to understand the value of the product and the labor of the farmer.
In addition, children will learn through experiencing work of farmer themselves by taking care of a potted organic plant through the instruction given by us.
💼 What the programme involves
Volunteers will be responsible for completing tasks assigned by the manager of the farm. The general tasks would be:
- seeding the new vegetable on the farm
- spraying the farm with special kind of water
- weeding the un-useful weed.
- plan the soil to expand the farm, creating new vegetable beds
……
Moreover, the volunteers can have the chance to communicate with Vietnamese kids for showing the works when they come for education about the organic farm.
Volunteers are also encouraged to try and establish new ideas for improving the quality of the product on this farm.
📍 About the location
Tan Binh district, Ho Chi Minh city (or Sai Gon- Southern part of Vietnam). Vietnamese day, International day, self-organized city tour or excursions, etc.
⚠️ Requirements
Volunteers must be 18 years old minimum. Volunteers must show eagerness, the ability to maintain motivation and reliability. Related to this, volunteers need to show assiduous attitude and initiative when working on the farm. Most importantly, volunteers need to be friendly and patient, making the good relationship with the local workers.