Thank you for your interest in staying at our farm. 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 five hours a day, Monday through Friday plus 2 hours on the weekend (usually Saturday).  You will get hands on experience helping with a variety of tasks from planting to weeding to harvesting and going to market. Volunteers work alongside and learn from eco-researcher, author, and organic farmer Mark Nelson, and ecologist, researcher and organic farmer Starrlight Augustine in the fruit orchard and vegetable 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. 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 responsabilities. These dinners integrate art and socializing and are an opportunity to exchange with other eco-tecnic pioneers who live on the ranch.  You’ll be taking a turn on cooking detail once a week for community meals, and are responsible for cleaning up after yourself in the kitchen.