The Farm, my Hope, my driver in Life.

When I wake up in the morning, look out the window and see the grey sky and the rain pouring on the concrete, I get assaulted by feelings of sadness mingled with sensations of emptiness… But soon after, I open my mailbox and I see that I received a message from Hari telling me about the development of the project, and my whole state switches to Happiness!

You cannot imagine how glad I feel when I look at the pictures on Facebook and I see the land where I used to sit down and play the flute being harmoniously cared by you wholehearted people from around the world. And when I read your comments, Oliver, Stephanie, it empowers me and helps me keep on going… because I realize that it is worth it.

I really want this movement to keep on going and here in London I wondered a lot about how to raise funds for it. I went to talk to foundations; I went to talk to executives and explain the project. But I was loosing my energy trying to convince people with words of something that is not really expressible with words… You know what I mean ;)

So I sat down and tried to think of a way to harmonize the vision of the farm with one activity achievable in a big city like London. I looked at all my friends trying to express themselves through the arts, I looked at the beauty of their expression and I was shocked by the impossibility for them to be exhibited. So I created a community with friends called Praveenata Collective. The initiative is to gather the work of some unknown talented artists and help them exhibit their work and be seen by potential buyers.

The idea is to ask artists to give their art. We gather everything and exhibit it in a way that is appealing for everyone. People come, give a donation at the entrance, have a drink and half of what is being sold is going to the farm when the other half is going for artists.

The amazing thing I realized by doing that is that people are much more productive, creative and trustful when they work not for an end but for the sake of working. Because all the money is going to the farm, people were willing to give, to buy, to create even more.

Guests were delighted by the initiative, asked a lot of questions about the project and lots of them are willing to visit. For the first time, I saw a real light in the eyes of people. A pure light. As if, all together we had found a way to realize ourselves at the same time that we help others realizing themselves. A healthy sharing of knowledge and intuition.

Thanks to this first event, 900 pounds were transferred to the farm. Obviously, another event is coming and hopefully more people will join the movement here, and will know that it is possible. To work for Life, to honour Her.

I will be joining the farm again from next September on for a year. I cannot wait to join the work and get my hands dirty. I am full of Hope thanks to my dearest friend Hari, a real guide for me. I am delighted to know that all that we are doing is helping Life.

People, I invite you to join this movement of Life, I invite you to put aside all your thoughts, and let yourself be for this project, for Life. I would be very happy to meet any of you close to London or Paris (where I go quiet often) and discuss any wonders J (my number is 07760663367 and email: eliottmercier@gmail.com)

With all my Love,

Eliott Mercier

Reflecting On My Experience at the Farm

When I left New York City, I felt near total madness, navigating my urban reality and trying to figure out a way to work towards a worthwhile endeavor, one which, if destiny be saved from damnation, would help me escape some of the vices and unhealthy behaviors permeating the American Way of Life. I was fortunate enough to find my way to the Himalayan Farm in India. The experience I have had here has been amazing, shocking my sensibilities with a community of enthusiasm mystified by the enshrouding, subtropical mists of the mountains: Have a entered the uncharted frontier of a new societal reality?

Perhaps not. The lessons are quite old. I have always wanted to learn about farming and permaculture, especially in light of the prolific information about the deleterious effects of fast food and industrial agribusiness. So I've climbed down the smoke stacks to climb up the mountains, to the Himalayan Farm plateau. There lies the bosom of Mother Earth, the wind, water, and soil, which have cradled me yet again, which I have nuzzled against in praise of its life giving succor.

But let us not forget O' Captain, My Captain! The guru of the farm, Hari Pant, is an extremely kind and informative teacher. As we labored to till the land and plant new crops, he was quick to illuminate the best agricultural methods and the reasons for those methods. However, he is very humble. Any idea you have to offer he patiently considers, and the group on the farm ruminates over new agronomic possibilities together on a daily basis, usually in front of a campfire.

In fact, new ways to improve the project spring forth faster than we are able to undertake them. And the farm is still in a fledgling stage of development, and needs as much help and support as possible. By the end of the Indian Monsoon season, we all hope that the infrastructure of the farm will be solid enough to begin bringing children from the nearby schools in Bhimtal and Nanital up to learn about organic farming. But in order to initiate those field trips, the project needs to finish the new kitchen construction project. Any carpenters or masons who could help build the brick and mud stove would be wholeheartedly welcome and needed.

I had an opportunity to learn much from the project. I'm sad that I have to leave, as there is a great wealth of knowledge available at the farm. Interacting with the locals, one is able to start picking up the Hindi language, which Hari and his wife Kum Kum patiently help each volunteer practice. Additionally, both Hari and Kum Kum are amazing cooks, and showcase their skills openly for all the volunteers to learn from. And as well as learning about sustainable agriculture, there are many artisanal learning experiences available at the farm. For example, Hari is currently working on establishing a silkworm farm, which will mean that the volunteers will be able to cultivate silk and potentially craft silk garments. Other projects are on the table as well, such as establishing a home brewery, learning to preserve food such as jam and pickles, and developing homeopathic elixirs and salves from the flora that surrounds the homestead.

Included in the ecological lessons and pursuits at the Himalayan farm is the development of alternative energy. There are plans to construct a hydraulic system in the channel near the farm, which will eventually allow the volunteers to harvest electric energy. Additionally, plans to establish solar panels and small wind turbines are discussed as the project moves forward. Discovering the ways energy can be harnessed from the natural world in a fashion that does not harm the landscape is entwined in the pursuit of cultivating healthy food. But, for me at least, such projects are more edifying than necessary: I'm quite satisfied with the elemental energies, those of water & fire.

And the final learning experience I will add to the list (trust me, there are many more, and the volunteers themselves bring plenty of useful skills, which they kindly share. This project is a node, my man, in the pathway to an improved society) is the elucidation of traditional Indian philosophies and spiritual practices. Hari has a very well stocked library that he opens to all the volunteers to learn from. Additionally, Kum Kum and Hari both have a well-informed understanding of exercises that improve health, such as Pranayama and other yoga techniques.

So for all those hoping to root themselves in a platform that protects mother earth directly, please, make your way to the Himalayan Farm.

Oliver Lamb

The Himalayan Farm Project Pilot

Wonderful Farm Experience

My name is Stefanie, I am 22 years old, from Germany and I joined the Himalayan Farm Project on 24 Dec 2011 and left after staying with the host for 46 days. I'm absolutely impressed by the founder who put all his heart and love in the project to contribute something to future generations. It is Recommendable for everyone who is interested in sustainable living, organic farming, and community living or just living with nature and sustaining earth.

The project was not what I expected it to be before arriving at The Farm. It has been a much deeper, life changing experience than just working and getting involved in a project. It has been our project, our farm and our home and we were all helping together to make it as comfortable as possible with the possibilities we've had.

The farm is far away from civilization. There is no electricity, no kitchen, no bathroom, no privacy. It's all about community living, organic farming and sustainable living. Moreover this is the perfect place to reconnect with nature and to find back to our roots.

I've learned a lot about sharing and caring for one another, about food that cures and I realized what improper eating and jealousy can do to one person's body. I would recommend this place to everyone who is concerned about the world, about healthy eating habits and is seeking to walk the "old way".

The Himalayan Farm will always have a place in my heart and I am very happy that I do have a home in India. I am very interested in the future of the farm.

Kum Kum is a very good cook, prepares and serves with love from heart. We enjoyed some amazing food at Bhimtal on Christmas eve and at farm on new year eve.

She shares all her knowledge about health and healthy eating habits. She is really “so caring and catering”. I hope to find people like Hari and Kum Kum and that some day I will be as loving as them.

Thank you so much Hari and Kum Kum,

Stefanie Jessberger

----

Peace, love and blessings

VOTE FOR US! We are counting on all of you.

The Himalayan Farm Project needs your support as we embark on an exciting venture. We are competing for the Mahindra seed grant and we need YOUR support to win it! We need your votes and if we win the Himalayan Farm Project can buy itself a 2KW solar panel for all our energy needs.

Please support us. Check out our Mahindra Rise page and VOTE. You can use your Facebook login too.
Anybody, anywhere in the world can cast their vote!!

If we win this round we get a seed grant of  Rupees 400,000 ($7500). That may not look like too much money to some but it would make a huge difference to all of us at the farm. It would be enough to get a big solar panel - enough to charge laptops as well as buy ourselves a shower room.

As you know, The Himalayan Farm Project is more than just an organic farm. At the very heart of it is the belief that working as a community boosts happiness. We are a community farm – a work and family in progress. We welcome anyone who has time and energy to make the farm their home and bring with them a positive attitude, creativity and a love for nature. Everyone is welcome – to pick up the hoe – to mend the canal – to sing songs– and to tell us how to do this better.

The Himalayan Farm Project is the place to perfect how to make an omelette over an open fire, to practice poi, to teach old skills and acquire new ones and to simply be one with the surroundings around you. It is a home away from home for all. This is a place to retreat, rejuvenate, learn, share but above all else BE.

Meanwhile the kitchen structure is all up. The chicken wire has come up. All it requires is more hands for putting on the mud plaster. So come on, don't just sit there, hike up and give a hand. Spark the change.

Click on the link below and VOTE!

http://www.sparktherise.com/projectdetail.php?pid=5513

When Santa came calling...

It's the season of good cheer and gifting and so at the farm we collectively decided to ask Santa for a new kitchen. The current kitchen was more suited to a smoke room than a place for cooking. So all this while we have been cooking out in the open under the gaze of the sun and the stars. We have been balancing our pots and pans on the stones and the metal tripod. And it hasn't been bad at all. Anyway we wrote to Santa and hey presto we had our wish....

It all started with  a little red doodle on a blank page. And we had the design of our kitchen. Santa's little helpers were at hand . Stefanie from Germany, Pierre, Laure, Antoine, Ferdinand, Xavier from France and Juan all the way from Ecuador all joined hands to make the drawing a reality.

We hunted around our land for wood that we could use and started digging out the holes where they columns would fit in. And below are the pictures that chart out our progress.

So here is the primer for building what we did.

1: Get the tools.

2: Strip the bark and cut the wood to size.

3: Dig the foundations.

4: Put the poles into position and start hammering.

5: Have fun.

6: Test your roof.

7: Start planning the roofing. - We plan to use corrugated tin sheets.

8: What about the walls? Wattle and daub, recycled bottles, woven leaves or chicken muesh and mud ?? Ideas welcome.