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.

Work-Study in Action resident volunteer program begins in 2024! Join our vegetable garden team. Includes a  program Buddhist classes, study and practice, mindful cooking and more.

Entry dates available until May 31, 2024

Minimum commitment: 6 months.

For more details and the application Contact Us now! 

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

Encompassing a comprehensive work-study program, your work in the Odiyan gardens includes:

  • Comfortable accommodation and nutritious meals
  • A monthly stipend of $200/$300 after one year

You must be physically strong and good at working with your hands. Experience with hand tools and physical labor is preferred.

Interested or have questions?

Odiyan Volunteer Office
volunteer@odiyan.org
510-981-1987