Here’s a general picture of what life and work at Synergia Ranch as a 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  organic farmer and researcher Starrlight Augustine in the orchard and gardens. We are certified organic by the USDA and 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.