Hello Potential Volunteer!
Synergia Ranch is special and beautiful place. We’re happy that you want to be a part of it. Working with us at Synergia, you’ll have the opportunity to:
- Learn techniques and theory pertaining to fields of agroecology & regenerative agriculture
- Participate in fascinating workshops meeting like minded people around
- Use practical techniques to grow successful crops without chemicals in a challenging climate
- Eat what you grow with your community
We welcome day volunteers and offer lunch as well as produce to take home when it is available (bearing in mind that parts of the year the gardens and orchards don’t produce). Simply get in touch with Starrlight Augustine (email) .
We also offer an immersive volunteer experience where you can live on the ranch. We accept volunteer stays from a few days to several months. Apply here below.
Here’s a general picture of what life and work at Synergia Ranch as a resident volunteer is like:
Hours vary by season, but usually crews work six and a half hours a day, Monday through Thursday. We have a breaks, including a nice lunch. There are 2 hours of chores the rest of the week (watering the nursery, feeding animals and clean up of common spaces). These are coordinated between the team as a function of outings. The clean up of the common spaces is generally a one hour crew on the Friday. You will get hands on experience helping with a variety of tasks from planting to weeding to harvesting. Volunteers work alongside and learn from farmer and researcher Starrlight Augustine. We use practical techniques to grow successful crops without chemicals (inroganic fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides etc) in this semi-arid climate. We cultivate our market garden using permanent no-dig beds and have an on-site soil biology laboratory.
Once you are finished with your day’s work, you are free to enjoy the laid back and fun atmosphere on the ranch. You have time to enjoy hiking trails, peruse our library, explore nearby cities and attractions, etc. Dinners are in the community kitchen.
Lodging is either in a beautiful (1 person) room with nearby (shared) bathroom and shower facilities in our adobe buildings or other options (like camping) may also be available. You’ll make your own breakfasts and lunches from our well-stocked refrigerators and pantry in our ranch kitchen. All of the ranch residents eat dinner together three times week, sharing the cooking and cleaning responsibilities. These dinners integrate art and socializing and are an opportunity to exchange with other pioneers who live on the ranch like Mark Nelson (author, long time residents and ecologist). Depending on the nature of your stay, you have the option to also take a turn on cooking detail once a week for community meals. You are responsible for cleaning up after yourself in the kitchen after solo use.
Learn More
If you have any questions before, during or after submitting your application, please contact Starrlight Augustine (email) for more information.
We look forward to hearing from you and hope to work with you!