In Anovafloresta we give value to nature and human community. A positive attitude, kindness, altruism, community spirit, open mind and respect are key to share this place together. Being independent, responsible and motivated will help to make the best of our projects.
There is no problem in taking your time to perform an activity as long as it’s done with quality. Have doubts? Ask! Especially before you do something permanent. The answer you’ll get will always include an explanation on the reason of the design you implement.
We live by the principles of gender equality and sustainability: “reduce, reuse, recycle and design in these perspectives.”
The routine for student volunteers
The day starts early, because the temperature is milder and facilitates physical work. At start we have a quick meeting to determine the activities of the day and to allocate the resources. We work for about two hours, then we take a 45-minute break for an enhanced breakfast and recharge the energy. We work one and a half or two more hour (in the shade) which includes the very important step of cleaning and tidying tools and material at the end of the activity. The rest of the day is free to do your activities: go to the beaches, stroll in the city, work on your project, work on a creative project, among others.
If the volunteer student wants to work on a creative project (sculpture, painting, handcrafting, etc.) during the afternoon we will do our best to support and provide the necessary tools for its accomplishment (we are accepting suggestions!)
This timetable serves as an example, since the activities and the time of realization tend to vary during the seasons.
6:00 am – 6:30 am: Your Morning Routine – Light Breakfast
6:30 am – 7:00 am: Meeting to determine activities
7:00 a.m. to 9:00 am: Practical training (physical work)
9:00 am – 9:45 am: Full breakfast and free time
9:45 a.m. – 11:15 am: Practical training
11:15 a.m. – 12:00 am: Break to relax, take a shower, etc.
12:00 pm – next day: Lunch and free time
Usually if the volunteer does not know how to cook he will ends up learning with the support of the community.
“Eating is an agricultural act” (Wendell Berry). It is important to make a connection between food production and food eating. Learning how to cook a vegetarian meal is part of volunteer training.
The training
On average we do 4h of practical work per day, 4 days a week, and 1 day of theory per week, the 5th day of the week.
The theory is related to the work we are doing or introducing different concepts: incorporating Permaculture, sustainable development, economic and scientific domains, ecology, ecosystem design and simulation, soil study, etc.
The practical work goes from how to make a knot, how to properly cut a tree branch, what is the best position / way of doing a job, how to use the tools … Usually the techniques are performed first with the instructor and the person (or group) is left to proceed with the work. The goal is to teach the person how to do the work autonomously. Every activity is described in the lens of the intended design.
Lodging
Anovafloresta proposes facilities within the organic farm with either dormitories or campground.
The general infrastructure of the accommodation includes: camping lots, electricity, mineral water, showers, modern dry toilets and standard toilets connected to a sustainable system for water treatment in case of dormitory.
Cost of living, lodging and shopping in Trancoso
Trancoso is particularly expensive if you adopt a tourist lifestyle (restaurants, bars, buy clothes, beers on the beach, etc.). However if you buy items in supermarket, it comes back to the normal Brazilian cost.
A Floresta Nova - A Tropical Food Forest - Brazil - Bahia - Permaculture Training 