Odiyan Retreat Center

ORGANIC VEGETABLE GARDEN

 

Get real-world experience in organic farming at Odiyan.

Learn practical skills from our master gardeners in our 2.5 acre community gardens, orchards, and greenhouses. You will engage the entire process from seed to plate, including learning to cook your own produce as you help prepare meals for the Odiyan community. Odiyan farm and gardens are part of our sustainability plan. And we often produce enough to give away to our sister organizations, friends and neighbors.

We are seeking hardy strong people who can commit to the 2025 season starting anytime March, April or May.

Preference is for the full season of 8 months, the minimum commitment is 6 months.

Interested in learning more or applying? Tell us about you and what you are seeking!  Volunteer Inquiry Form

Hands-on training

  • seeds: choosing vegetables and varieties
  • greenhouse germination vegetables and flowers
  • bed preparation, direct seeding, and transplanting
  • use and maintenance of drip and sprinklers irrigation
  • companion plants, medicinal plants, insect and bee friendly plants

  • establishing raised beds and hoop house
  • using rototillers and other equipment
  • composting and mulching
  • harvesting: including cleaning, storing, and preserving (pickling, freezing, fermenting, canning)
  • weeding, lots of weeding

Your work in the Odiyan gardens includes:

  • Comfortable accommodation and nutritious vegetarian meals
  • Weekly Buddhist classes, practice and study sessions.
  • A monthly stipend of $200/$300 after one year

You must be physically strong, able to lift 40 lbs., good at working with your hands. Experience with hand tools and physical labor is preferred.

Interested or have questions?

Odiyan Work-Study Program

FAQ


Interested in learning more or applying? We are eager to hear about you!

Volunteer Inquiry Form

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