GOVARDHAN GARDENS
PROJECT & WORKSHOPS
Govardhan Gardens is an experimental, constantly evolving project. It took over a decade of hard work and dedication to develop it into the most diversified tropical fruit, nut and bamboo farm in the Caribbean. The history of the project is summarized on the Vision Page .
My research and practical work at my farm are geared towards food self-sufficiency and sustainability. Over the years, many friends, supporters and helpers have enjoyed observing the development of the project, and thousands have toured the farm.
OPEN WORK POSITIONS
Since I design and develop eco projects on a regular basis, I am often asked by new farm owners whether I can recommend caretakes for their farm. Some need a caretaker just to make the property more secure, others need them for basic farm maintenance work, and yet others could profit share (Airbnb or commercial crops). Contact me if you think that you could fill in any of these positions. These type of positions are an ideal opportunity for those who are serious to gain experience in sustainable agriculture and lifestyle. As a consultant and tropical crop specialist, I always take out time to train workers. The main qualifications are: eagerness to learn/study, ability to listen, being reliable, able to work hard when needed, and being honest.
Please contact me (sadhu@coqui.net) in case you are potentially interested.
Below some services I offer and ways you can connect with Govardhan Gardens:
SERVICES OFFERED
1. Tropical seeds for exchange and sale
2. Customized fruit orchard designs
3. Cottage for interns/volunteer helpers
4. Help with Land Search
HOW YOU CAN GET CONNECTED TO THE PROJECT
Sponsor the planting of a tree: For $10, you can sponsor the planting of a tree at Govardhan Gardens. Another option is to donate a tropical fruit, spice or nut tree that is a new addition to the collection (see "the collection species"). For $175, a tree will be planted in your name and a commemorative, permanent plaque will be installed. All donors are recognized on the “Tree Sponsors and Friends” page.
Volunteer at Govardhan Gardens: Please read my article about volunteering at Govardhan Gardens: Volunteers . There are unlimited ways to help out at the farm, whether it is only for an hour or for several days. You can also "adopt" (keep it clean and design it in any way you would like) a small area within the farm and take care of it on a regular basis.
Students of the Mayagüez College can do their summer practice at Govardhan Gardens.
Here a good example of practical volunteer work: NEWS
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES 2024
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2024:
CLEARING LAND
NURSERY WORK
GARDENING
LIGHT CONSTRUCTION WORK
PROCESSING FRUITS
WELLNESS CENTER ASSISTANT
EVEN ONE AFTERNOON OF VOLUNTEERING
IS HIGHLY APPRECIATED !
My special thanks go out
to the most dedicated
and helpful volunteers of 2023/24:
Alicia
who selflessly helped in the apothecary
Imre
who helped with various construction related projects
Dhimahi
who kept GG's veggie gardens alive and helped in countless ways
Chris Schuck
who donated seeds of rare fruit species that had evaded
me for many years.
Deoraj
who always does the needful, and has been doing so for over two decades now.
Bala
who is always ready to help with any web site or computer related issues.
Dave
who made a significant donation to farm workers and myself
Inge
who saved the farm project financially after hurricane fiona
Jamie
who generously supported GG's detox and healing retreat efforts
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Donate literature or educational DVD's: Donate books or DVD's about anything related to tropical fruits, herbs, farming, self-sufficiency, tropical pests and diseases, sustainable cultivation, alternative energy, construction, natural medicine, etc. Volunteers and visitors will benefit from this library. Send to: Sadhu P.O. Box 8132, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico 00681.
Exchange or donate rare tropical fruit, vegetable, herb or bamboo seeds: (See seed page).
Help with editing and translating articles from English to Spanish
Help to promote “Oro Verde – Securing the Future of our Food”: ( click here to see description of my book).
Collaborate on self-sufficiency oriented projects: If you’re a local artist, artisan, organic farmer, herbalist or other alternative/natural professional, I am happy to connect with you for collaboration on projects.
Share your positive experiences about Govardhan Gardens: We have a long way to go in order to help cause changes for a better future, and sharing positive experiences of meaningful projects is a good step in this direction!
Exchange web site links: I am happy to exchange links with anyone who has a meaningful sustainability oriented project. By linking to www.organicfarm.net, you help people around the world to get in touch with a tropical role model farm.
2009 BAMBOO WORKSHOPS AND ECO-SEMINARS
The Oro Verde Foundation is dedicated to promoting sustainable education and is inviting you to our work shops and seminars. Our first workshop was held at the Tropical Tree House in Rincon from August 24-26, 2009.
The topics covered sustainability, bamboo history, tropical bamboo species, composting, new tropical fruits with high potential and practical bamboo craft. The participants were a lively, happy and very positive group from Puerto Rico and St. Croix. ( See pictures below ).
If you would like to give a workshop or conference or if you want to participate in one of our next workshops, please contact me at Govardhan_Gardens@yahoo.com
The only workshops I currently give on a regular basis at this time, are goat keeping workshops. The next bamboo workshop is planned for 2013.
Workshop Pictures
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Jo Scheer
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Sadhu Govardhan
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Joaquin Chong
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