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Perfect 4.60rating (27)
  • Zero Hunger
  • No Poverty
  • Climate Action

Agroforestry Assistant

location
1 - 10 weeks  ·  Age 17 - 50+
Verified

Highlights

  • Stunning nature, wild life, waterfalls and mountains
  • Eat a healthy plant based diet, mostly organic harvested by us and local organic farmers, reduce your impact on climate change and feel the positive change in your life!
  • Learn agroforestry farming, permaculture principles, native stingless bee keeping and help small organic farmers

Highlights

  • Stunning nature, wild life, waterfalls and mountains
  • Eat a healthy plant based diet, mostly organic harvested by us and local organic farmers, reduce your impact on climate change and feel the positive change in your life!
  • Learn agroforestry farming, permaculture principles, native stingless bee keeping and help small organic farmers
  • We are 2 hours away from the beautiful Rio de Janeiro city and near many fantastic hiking trail.
  • Live among other volunteers and meet friends for life.
    • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 17+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    Help and learn about syntropic agroforestry, a important way to plant food, fixate carbon, generate a biome for biodiversity,and protect soil and water sources.

    We seek

    nature lovers that are really committed to support and help those who are dedicated to protect wild life and its habitat, fight climate change, bring social justice to rural area and that are willing to make positive changes in their own life that will bring more healing to their body, their ...

    About the program

    We seek

    nature lovers that are really committed to support and help those who are dedicated to protect wild life and its habitat, fight climate change, bring social justice to rural area and that are willing to make positive changes in their own life that will bring more healing to their body, their mind and the planet. The inequalities and lack of opportunities are much higher in the rural areas in Brazil and that's why so many migrated and continue to migrate to the slums/favelas of big cities and subject themselves to the oppression of violence, drug lords, militia and police.


    We expect 
    • 18 hours of weekly dedication to agroforestry, wild life and  stingless native beekeeping. The schedule can be flexible to accommodate personal needs (home-office).
    • Keep bedroom and personal bathroom clean and return it clean before you leave.
    • Participate in the cleaning of the shared areas of the house (kitchen)
    • Participate in the food preparation for lunch and meal.
    • After use, leave kitchen sink and table clean for the next person to use it.
    • Commit to a healthy, minimally-processed plant based diet, bring awareness to the fact that the food that heals you also heals the planet. We avoid GMO, food from conventional monocultures that destroy the soil, kill bees, contaminates creeks and rivers and dry spring waters and brings poison to people's table. Plant (and fungi)  based diet has proved to be the healthiest diet for you and the planet, that also help fixating carbon back to the soil. 
    • Do  not smoke. I don't drink alcoholics and I expect little or no consumption of alcohol in my place. Same to any other recreational drug. Our recreation is to be present with full awareness  facing the immense beauty that wild life and natural cascades provides. 
    You will learn
    • Agroforestry, permaculture concepts, native beekeeping practices, 
    • Adaptations for climate change, including tropical edible plants; food, clothing and other actions for mitigating climate change,
    • How to boost your energy with anti-oxidant rich, cancer killer plant based diet.
    Your volunteering will
    • bring dignity to rural workers, fight social inequality and bring opportunities to rural areas, stopping the immigration flux of people flooding the favelas/slums of big cities. 
    •  help compensating the invaluable services that we provide to society (clean, cool and moisture the air, sequester carbon from the air, generate rain and water, protect biodiversity, protect crop pollinators)
    And you will experience
    • amazing rivers and waterfalls
    • mountain trails
    • healthy and delicious food
    • exercising outdoors, campfires
    • brething pure air and drinking and bathing on  mineral spring waters

    Typical day

     5:30am: We get together at the kitchen to organize kitchen, prepare breakfast and sometimes prepare food for lunch.

    7am: agroforestry 
    12pm: fast cooking and lunch
    1pm: organize kitchen,
    Depending if you want to have 2 or 3 days free, there may be some activities in the afternoon. We ask for 18hs of ...

    Typical day

     5:30am: We get together at the kitchen to organize kitchen, prepare breakfast and sometimes prepare food for lunch.

    7am: agroforestry 
    12pm: fast cooking and lunch
    1pm: organize kitchen,
    Depending if you want to have 2 or 3 days free, there may be some activities in the afternoon. We ask for 18hs of volunteering per week.

    It is usual to go for a trail before sunset and once in a week to lit a bonfire and fraternize with tourists and other volunteers and us. 

    Free-time activities

    beautiful trails to hike and creeks with waterfalls to enjoy! varieties of birds and animals to observe,  Our swimming pool is 18m long and the water is purely natural, with no chemicals. From time to time we prepare a bonfire to enjoy the night outside. 

    Free-time activities

    beautiful trails to hike and creeks with waterfalls to enjoy! varieties of birds and animals to observe,  Our swimming pool is 18m long and the water is purely natural, with no chemicals. From time to time we prepare a bonfire to enjoy the night outside. 

    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 17 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 17 years old on the program start date.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (intermediate level) or Portuguese (basic level)

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 08:00 - 12:30

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    • fast internet (1 person can watch a 4k video)
    • organic plant and fungi based food for you to prepare your meals in group, grown locally  by us or near organic farmers
    • 1 bedroom with bathroom for 1 or 2 (couple) people. It will be yours to keep clean.
    • warm shower
    • eletricity, propane gas
    • eco-friendly cleaning material, including soap for laundry
    • guided hiking
    • working tools (it is normal to break tools when you are learning) 
    • space for home office (with printer available and great wifi)
    • laundry machine
    • Lessons on healthy plant-fungi based diet (minimally processed, organic)
    • Lessons on agroforestry, native beekeeping, mushroom cultivation, edible mushroom identification in the forest, edible plants in the forest for you to camp and survival tips in the Atlantic rainforest
    • biweekly bonfire for bonding and exchange of experience
    • We will plant trees for you to offset  of your carbon footprint in tour trip to Brasil.
    • Rides to Rio de Janeiro city on weekends

    Airport Pickup at Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport

    We provide airport pick up if you arrive Sunday afternoon or Monday early morning in of the 2 airports of Rio de Janeiro city, SDU or GIG. The farm is 2h30 away from Rio de Janeiro I'll personally pick you up and drive you to the farm. 

    Accommodation

    Simple, clean 3x3m (10x10ft) bedrooms with bathroom. We provide warm blankets and bedsheet. You will wake up with birds singing in your window. Never hot, never too cold at night. The fresh breeze from the forest  and mountains regulates the local weather.  



    Food & Beverages

    • 90% organic plant and fungi based diet (non or minimally processed), rich in fruits and vegetables locally grown by organic farmers (here and other partners)
    • agroecological coffee. We have a vegan milk machine for preparing soy or coconut mik or any other plant based milk
    • plenty of fruits and vegetables for juices and green juices anytime.
    • We can provide water kefir if you like it.
    • organic green tea and different infusion tees available.
    • Mate herb.
    • cacau powder
    • plenty of nuts (peanut, almond, Brazil's nut, hazelnut

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site
    You don't have to pay anything yet

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG) in Rio De Janeiro. We assist you to find cheap flights to Brazil. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Brazil provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Brazil you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Brazil. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

     If you arrive on Friday, I can pick you up at any airport of Rio de Janeiro and take you to fazenda São Marcos (126km away, 2hs drive) for 150 reais (30 US dollars). Otherwise, you go to Road Station and pick a bus to Cachoeiras de Macacu and I get you there for 60 reais.

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program Fees

    $185 per week 1 - 10 weeks Age 17 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES

    Duration

    1 - 10 weeks

    Deposit

    Reserve your spot with just a few clicks and a small, secure deposit. You can pay by credit card, PayPal, or other convenient methods.

    Final Payment

    You’ll agree on the final payment method with your local organization during the application process. This final payment is only due closer to the start of your trip.

    You don't have to pay anything yet

    4.60
    ・
    27 reviews

    •
    2025
    We stayed with Marcus as a family for 3 weeks during the Brazilian winter. The surrounding nature is breathtaking, and we learned a lot ...
    Dorthe Greve

    Agroforestry Assistant

    •
    2024
    J ai passé 4 semaines à la Fazenda avec Marcus et deux autres volontaires françaises. J' ai appris beaucoup plus que ce que j' aurais ...
    Elie Beaufils

    Agroforestry Assistant

    •
    2024
    It was a wonderful experience to come here, and I am so happy I have choosen this mission. In the addition of doing a meaningful job and ...
    Clara PETIT GARCIA

    Agroforestry Assistant

    •
    2023
    If you're wondering about this opportunity, follow your gut. Whilst I wandered through beautiful Brazil, this was one of the stops I made - ...
    Antoine Van Aerde

    Agroforestry Assistant

    •
    2022
    Fazenda Sao Marcos gives you the oportunity to experiences a hole lífe of plant bases diet and nature lifestile. You'll learn a Lot about ...
    Federico Francucci

    Agroforestry Assistant

    •
    2022
    Google Translator: I acquired environmental awareness, planting and harvesting experiences. Respect for the environment and ...
    Ana Cristina Rezende Fontes

    Agroforestry Assistant

    Location

    Americas > South America > Brazil > Cachoeiras de Macacu

    Meet your project coordinator

    Marcus
    27
    reviews
    4.60
    Perfect
    1972
    Founded

    Verified

      Good response rate
    Spoken languages: Portuguese, English
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    Volunteer Abroad  >  Environment  >  Agriculture in Brazil
    Contact Marcus
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    Portuguese, English

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    Travel dates

    1. - 1. Jan 1

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