THE CROAK is a weekly environmental newsletter put out by the eCoexist team. It is the voice of the environment on its last legs, the final croak that can either be a plea for attention or a call of triumph as the frogs jump out of the well of ignorance and denial.

Agroforestry, organic food and coffee with Ashwin Paranjpe

Gorus forest farm began in 2008 on 10 acres of uncultivated hilly land. There was a fair amount of secondary forest cover at that time, so the idea was to develop this farm as a food forest without disturbing the existing ecosystem. The main objective was to see if we can convert this farm to a food forest which is ecologically sound and economically viable (i.e. it exists in harmony with nature, is able to give a steady supply of food throughout the year and is able to generate sufficient income from the farm produce to pay for the labour, equipment, and other overhead costs). The larger vision is to present an ‘alternative forest farming model’ to chemical agriculture and mono-cropping in this challenging era of climate change.

Read more about the Gorus Farms here...

Ashwin Paranjpe

Ashwin Paranjpe, the founder of Gorus, is an organic farmer and also an ecology and water researcher. He has worked extensively on wastewater treatment projects in rural as well as urban areas in Pune and Aurangabad. He worked with Gomukh Environmental Trust where he was part of the team which worked on watershed development and renewable energy projects in Kolvan valley.

Schedule for the day

8:45 am reach farm (people can have breakfast at home or on the way)

9:00- 9:30 Welcome and intro about the farm.. everyone gives a brief introduction about themselves...drink herbal tea

9:30 - 11:00 Farm tour focussing on agro-forestry and coffee cultivation plus other crops.

11:00 - 11:15 short break for Lemonade

11:15 - 12:30 Farm work 

12:30 - 1:00 pm explain Coffee processing (we will also roast a small batch and drink it in the afternoon.

1:00 - 1:30 Lunch 

1:30 - 2:00 pm Free time (being with yourself/ with nature)

2:00 - 3:00 Ashwin will share in 20 mins some insights about natural farming/ understanding the purpose(s) of farming, followed by Qand A (40 mins)

(Coffee will be served during Q and A)

3:00-3:30 pm - people can purchase coffee powder/ beans, coffee and bamboo saplings

3:30 pm - depart for Pune

Plan your day
Fee per participant : Rs 1000/-
 
Pl pay using the Gpay QR code given below or via bank transfer to the account for Gorus. 

Account Name: Ashwin Paranjpe

Bank:  HDFC

Branch: Bhandarkar Road

Savings Ac No. 00071000020412

IFSC: HDFC0000007

UPI for Google Pay: gorus.india@okhdfcbank  / Mob. 8380003154

 
Children between the age of 5 to 12 are welcome : Fee Rs 600/-
 
TRANSPORTATION:
 
1. Bring your own vehicle - see map to Gorus here 
 
2. Car pool with other participants - if you need a ride or can offer a ride pl reach out to us 
 
3. Book our cab - For Rs 2000/- 
Sampat will charge Rs. 2000 total for the round trip and he can seat up to 4 people at a time in his Swift Desire (3 in the back and 1 in front)
He will pick them up from their place or they can all come to a common location (that’s better) and drop them off in the evening. Call him at +91 84211 48085
 
COVID PRECAUTIONS
 
Please bring your own masks and sanitisers. We will be maintaining social distancing and the group will not exceed 20 participants. 
 
Please fill our the google form below to tell us more about yourself and to help you connect with others for car pooling if possible . 
 
https://forms.gle/TkoANS3muPT11rkx7

As part of our Healing with Nature campaign, eCoexist is now bringing various experiences to you, that will teach us about healing with medicinal plants, healing in interaction with animals and the healing that wilderness can bring you. 

Outdoor visits to organic farms and forests will be part of this campaign. Click here to read more. 

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The Croak is a weekly environmental newsletter put out by the eCoexist team. It is the voice of the environment on its last legs, the final croak that can either be a plea for attention or a call of triumph as the frogs jump out of the well of ignorance and denial. Satirical, urgent and wise the newsletter brings to your attention, topics of global environmental relevance as well as emerging encouraging alternatives. Put together by a team of passionate Nature lovers, The Croak hopes to look at the environmental crisis in its face. It is a tool to reconnect readers to Nature, through questioning and self reflection. To understand the outer environment as a reflection of our own inner state, individually and as a species. And to take responsibility for enabling change.
If you would like to contribute articles on ecology consciousness and sustainability please get in touch with us.

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