Volunteer in a sustainable agriculture project with United Mission to Develop Nepal to help local farmers and their communities create a sustainable livelihood. Within this placement you will work with local farmers to grow, process and produce natural and herbal products. United Mission to Develop Nepal will pair volunteers with this social enterprise that work alongside local small-scale farmers that practice organic and sustainable land-use. Volunteers can be involved in various tasks depending on our interests and passion. This might involve planting, cultivating and harvesting herbs and crops, landscaping, creating herb features, experimenting with natural building materials such as cob, sand and clay.
Volunteers not only help support the local economy, but, most importantly, the livelihoods of the people who depend upon it. Sustainable agriculture is vital to countless communities around the world, and volunteers can make a difference by helping nurture agriculturally-dependent economies and offering assistance to small-scale farmers working to get their herbal crops to market.
How do volunteers help?
Volunteers participating in sustainable agriculture projects do hands-on work that leaves a lasting impact on farming communities. By assisting throughout the numerous steps of the agricultural process, volunteers are able to be immersed in the local agriculture scene, learn about sustainable farming methods and agriculture processes, volunteer alongside local workers, and see the literal fruits of their labor. Participants not only serve their host community directly—by growing food and crops to nourish and support members of the community—but also indirectly by becoming advocates for the benefits of organic and sustainable land-use.
Do I need any specific qualifications or skills for this placement?
A volunteer project in sustainable agriculture is an excellent fit for participants who are interested in farming, agriculture, and sustainable practices. Volunteers who are curious about agricultural procedures and how they play a role in communities around the world find these projects engaging and informative. Participants with any or no experience with farming or sustainable agriculture can contribute in valuable ways to these projects; the most important qualification is that volunteers are not averse to rolling up their sleeves, getting their hands dirty, and spending time outdoors.
As the situation on the ground changes constantly, we ask that volunteers be flexible and adaptable when applying for this program. A positive attitude, good physical fitness, and willingness to muck in as and where needed are important.
