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Perfect 4.60rating (27)

Stingless Native beekeepers

location
1 - 10 weeks  ·  Age 16 - 50+
Verified

Highlights

  • These stingless native bees doubles the fauna the Forest can support by increasing the fruit output through pollination.
  • Fantastic creeks with natural pools of semi-olympic size and beautiful waterfalls
  • eat heathy delicious fruits and food.

Highlights

  • These stingless native bees doubles the fauna the Forest can support by increasing the fruit output through pollination.
  • Fantastic creeks with natural pools of semi-olympic size and beautiful waterfalls
  • eat heathy delicious fruits and food.
  • walk and exercise outdoors
  • Free rides to Rio de Janeiro city on weekends (2hs travel).

  • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 16+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    It is an absolutely pleasure discover how native sting bees organizes their complex society and to interact with them! Support our Native bees and the Forest they protect

    In this program the volunteer will learn how to manage native bees and create artificial homes for them. Part of the work includes pleasant trails in the woods. In managing beehives, the volunteer will learn how to feed the bees to keep them healthy, how to collect honey (November to March), and how ...

    About the program

    In this program the volunteer will learn how to manage native bees and create artificial homes for them. Part of the work includes pleasant trails in the woods. In managing beehives, the volunteer will learn how to feed the bees to keep them healthy, how to collect honey (November to March), and how to protect beehives under attack.  

    We have appropriate beekeeping cloth/protection to provide you. Although they do not sting, we do not want them to enter our nose. 



    In a 18 hours a week program we will give freedom to our volunteer to choose to work 4 or 5 days a week.

    Cultivating native stingless bees  is an essential activity in many ways:
    - It supports our reforestation program, since we have a vast area recently reforested and  young trees do not have hollows to host beehives inside. The young trees need bees for pollination and bees need homes to increase their population and respond to the increasing demand of young trees.
    - The increasing pollination by our cultivated native bees will provide more fruits and seeds to feed the  fauna. A  a more rich and abundant fauna will protect many endangered species. Furthermore, many animals have important roles in  planting seeds and spreading  seeds, strengthening the forest. 
    - It provides an income to our project much in need of resources to keep going. This income will come from selling honey in a very sustainable way with the health of the beehives at sight. In the same way bees takes what exceeds from plants (nectar) we only take what exceeds their daily needs. We constantly provide them food (nectar and pollen) by planting flowers for them and making syrups when needed.



    Typical day

    In a typical day, volunteers prepare their only meal with organic (mostly) ingredients, all plant based (no animal protein).



    Wake up before 6:30am, 
    Prepare breakfast, keep kitchen clean. During the day, we don't always have time to prepare lunch, so we prepare part of lunch in the morning too.
     8:30

    Typical day

    In a typical day, volunteers prepare their only meal with organic (mostly) ingredients, all plant based (no animal protein).



    Wake up before 6:30am, 
    Prepare breakfast, keep kitchen clean. During the day, we don't always have time to prepare lunch, so we prepare part of lunch in the morning too.
     8:30am - prepare artificial homes or (if already prepared) go in a trail to place them or make ecological painting for wooden bee nests.  Other activities would be to prepare propolis, or extract honey on demand. 
    Noon- Lunch
    For 1 hour in the afternoon - Prepare bee syrup and feed bees. 

    I will be guiding you all along.


    Free-time activities

    We are in a very preserved section of native Rain Forest, called Atlantic Rain Forest. There is a beautiful creek that cross our land with many nice bathing spots. 


    There are many walking trails with beautiful boulders and beautiful view of the entire valley.

    You can get to know humble and happy ...

    Free-time activities

    We are in a very preserved section of native Rain Forest, called Atlantic Rain Forest. There is a beautiful creek that cross our land with many nice bathing spots. 


    There are many walking trails with beautiful boulders and beautiful view of the entire valley.

    You can get to know humble and happy local people. 

    You can birdwatch. Best time is early in the morning. More than 150 species roam our place

    You can place camera traps to see animals moving at night. 

    You will savor many exotic (for you) fruits.You will savor different types of honey.

    You can enjoy a cozy bonfire at night outdoors. 


    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 16 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 16 years old on the program start date.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (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 and Thursday from 09:00 - 13:00

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    These fees will help us to provide you organic healthy whole food plant based ingredients for your meal. We expect volunteers to prepare their own meal that will be done in a collaborative kitchen. I am a celiac and because of it, the kitchen  is gluten free. We will eat local  meals,i.e., with ingredients extracted from the land or nearby organic producers. We will buy plenty of nut, and rich ingredients. I am growing mushrooms that will be available in our meals. 


    Also these fees will pay our costs hosting a volunteer (wifi, energy, gas, working tools) and it will allow us to buy more  trees  and plant in our land for you to carbon neutralize your travel to Brazil.  

    A percentual of your contribution will be for us to improve our accommodations to receive volunteers and support our work in environmental preservation.  

     

    We also provide environment for your home office, so that you can continue your work with very little living expenses and generate money for your future travels. 

    These fees include  trips on Friday noon to weekends in Rio de Janeiro city, returning Monday early morning to fazenda São Marcos. Every Friday I do delivery of organic produce in Rio de Janeiro city and stay with my wife and son and return to Fazenda São Marcos on Sunday evening or Monday morning,

    We do not pick you up on airport, but on Sundays evening or Mondays mornings I can pick you up at a hostel in Rio de Janeiro or airport on the way to Fazenda São Marcos. 

    If you arrive any day other than Sunday or Monday, you can take a uber/taxi to Rio's road station and take a bus to Cachoeiras De Macacu and I pick you up there, or you can get to visit Rio de Janeiro and travel with me in the next return trip to Fazenda São Marcos.


    Airport Pickup at Santos Dumont Airport

    On  Sunday evening or latest Monday morning I travel from Rio de Janeiro to Fazenda São Marcos (2h30 travel). In case you arrive on Sunday aflternoon or Monday morning I can pick you up in the airport. In case you arrive in a different day, I'll already be away at the farm and you can either  get to know Rio de Janeiro and meet me on Sunday (I pick you up at your hostel) to travel to the farm. Or you go to a road station travel to Cachoeiras de Macacu town and I pick you up there. 

    Accommodation

    Bedrooms suite (w/ bathroom), with warm blankets and window. Simple but all you need is there.  In the case of a large group, we provide a large dorm room. 

    Food & Beverages

    It will be a great opportunity for you to enjoy a healthy whole food plant based diet. We eat this way, so that we preserve our health, protect the environment and fight climate change. In special red meat is associated with deforestation, chicken meat is associated with factory farming where dangerous avian flu are being bred and our oceans are being depleted of life due to overfishing. 

    We provide food for all meals and snacks. We invite volunteers to prepare whole food  plant based meals with us and you will learn how easy it is to cook a healthy and delicious diet at home. 


    Furthermore, due to my celiac condition, it will be offered only gluten free diet.


    Drinks: Excellent coffee, tea (green, herbals), water kefir, soy milk, nut milk, cocoa power. No alcoholic beverage. No soft drinks.  


    Food: amaranth, quinoa, rice, beans, sweet potato, potato, squash seeds, sunflower seeds,cashew nuts, peanut paste,  garbanzo beans, banana, exotic fruits, palm hearts, leafy vegetables, seasonal legumes, popcorn, fruit jams, tahine. 

    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 Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) 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

    We are open for volunteering all year around. We provide transport to Fazenda São Marcos every Monday morning. I ask you to take a uber/taxi to my family's home in Rio de Janeiro (in a very safe and beautiful neighborhood of Leblon) and we depart from there. 

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

    Program Fees

    $185 per week 1 - 10 weeks Age 16 - 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

    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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    Travel dates

    1. - 1. Jan 1

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