Farm in El Marqués, Querétaro. México

Farm's name: CIASPE (Centro de Innovación de Agricultura Sostenible en Pequeña Escala A.C.)  

HOST ID MEX0171

 Name of owner or person in charge: José Luis Sánchez Muñoz

Email address for contact with WWOOFers:  joselo.ciaspe@gmail.com

Phone number: (0052 1) 442 360 8792

Farm's location and address: Road to Los Cues, km 2.5, take road to your left, there are two main green gates at the entry with CIASPE written on them, follow the green CIASPE signs for 1 km. El Marqués 76246. Querétaro. México.

Description of the farm: 2 ha (4.5 ac), although we use only 30,000 sq feet, we work under a lack of rain for most of the year. Soil is quite poor in organic matter so we make large piles of compost and organic fertilizers to nourish our plants. We try to recycle everything we can, from scrap to water. Crops range from corn and wheat to all kind of vegetables. We offer courses and workshops both in-site and in local communities, all related to organic regenerating agriculture in a small scale and DIY way of living. We also work in primary schools. There´s a wide range of activities to do in site, such as planting, making compost, attending crops, cleaning seeds, building, making artifacts out of scrap, visiting communities, preparing workshops, dreaming together... Our main project is "por una familia" which pretends to facilitate a livelihood to a local vulnerable family using their own hands and skills.

Work required from WWOOFers: different tasks depending on the time of the year and any personal project related to our vision.

Description of accommodation: We have a dormitory for women and one for men. Each of one has room for up to twenty people. We use dry compost toilets, solar panels and solar water heater. We also recycle water from the kitchen to water the plants. Toilets must be shared, as well as showers, so we try to be considerate with the others (not spending more than five minutes for having a shower for example). Meals are provided at lunch time. For breakfast and dinner, volunteers have free access to our communal kitchen. Donations are optional for WWOOFers so we can buy things we don´t produce at the farm such as toilet paper, soap, sugar, coffee... (US$13 per week is OK)

Special requirements: We work everyday from monday to friday, weekends are for relaxing. We pretend volunteers to work at least six hours per day. Minimum length of stay is one week. WWOOFers must bring towels and sleeping bag with them. Smoking and alcoholic drinks are not allowed in working hours. The area is well communicated and safe. Although we live in the countryside, we´re close to an industrial park.

For more information visit our website www.ciaspemexico.com. Also in FaceBook and Youtube.