The Himalayan Farm Project is an experiment to demonstrate a sustainable life in practice. It is an attempt to learn how to recycle and harness natural, sustainable resources, live a simple off grid life and how to reduce our carbon footprint.
The farm has been has been vacant and unattended for over a decade and is slowly being brought back to life. It is a large undertaking and done with great intention and love. The land is in constant progression, and is at present slowly regaining soil fertility. It will soon grow crops of clover, barley, buckwheat and peas not only for harvesting and consumption but also to create a greener manure output as well as greens for the compost to add nitrogen in the soil. The regeneration of soil is a top priority.
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.
The Himalayan Farm Project is led by a team that values love, unity and a desire to learn. Anyone interested in building up this community and in helping recover and rediscover nature is welcome to join us. Read more about our farming adventures on our Blog.
HARI
My name is Hari. I retired as a Brigadier from the Indian army in 1997. Retirement has granted me the opportunity to return to the land of my forefathers, the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand where I currently reside. I finally found the time to engage with my lifelong interests of alternative medicine through homeopathy and foods that heal. My interest led to increasing experiments with growing organic vegetables, supported by conversations and studies at Schumacher College. In 2010, I won a Fellowship to attend The Apprenticeship Program in Ecological Horticulture at the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, University of California, Santa Cruz. During my time there I also volunteered at The Garden Project in San Francisco, an organization founded by my mentor Cathrine Sneed.
Drawing upon my learning’s from the Apprentice program, I am now scaling up my work and setting up a farm center in the lower Himalayas at an altitude of 1319 meters (4353 feet). I dream of this center as a model farming community – showcasing sustainable organic agriculture and horticulture techniques. This organic paradise is open to all fellow dreamers to come and share their learning’s and learn from each other.
The Himalayan Farm Project is a 50-minute uphill hike away from modernity. Located on top of a hill and adjacent to a forest, it is not connected to electric grid – an opportunity for me to learn and experiment with alternative energy solutions! When I am not up at the farm, I live with my wife KumKum in Bhimtal. You can write to me at himalayanfarmer(AT)gmail.com
And check out my blog post on how I rediscovered farming.
ELIOTT
My name is Eliott Mercier. People tell me I fit in the box marked French, but all I can say is I do not fit into any boxes!
I was living in France studying management (Dauphine University) blindly when I woke up one day and realized I wanted to live harmoniously with myself, with people and with nature. This is when I left for the roads of South East Asia, to find myself and to help others where I could. In route, I came up with a dream plan of creating a sustainable community that can think beyond commerce and puts a higher value to sharing, caring, being at peace with oneself and with others.
I had a strong desire to realize this dream, but I lacked the knowhow and support. I decided it prudent to study business in London (Cass Business School) in order to be able to understand the world of organizations. Then shortly after 3 months of volunteering in India, my spiritual home, I met Hari…and found 2 men with the will to make their way!
Currently I handle the farms day-to-day affairs from across the seven seas. I am creating a foundation to facilitate the gathering of funds; I am planning the architecture of the farm; and I am trying to streamline systems for volunteers. I am happy to meet any of you who are passing London. I will be back on the farm in May 2012 but you can contact me on my personal address eliottmercier(AT)gmail.com
RICHA
I am a journalist, educator, traveler and mother. I am currently based in Delhi where my 5 year old daughter goes to school. I believe connecting with the land and nature is a great way for kids to learn and resist consumerism.
The Himalayan Farm Project is my dream of going off-grid come true. I believe the pared down nature of the off-grid life is a great teacher. It’s only when you live it, you realize how little you actually need to be contended and comfortable. I hope one day we have enough shelter to share the back to basics, simple living with children from around the country.
I am interested in low impact architecture, off grid living and gift economy, and hope to explore all these aspects at the Farm. Presently I am exploring partnerships and collaborations to create a sustainable revenue stream for the Himalayan Farm Project. I can be contacted on himalayanfarmer@gmail.com
I am fascinated by your Farm.I wish to visit the same .Let me know if it suits you and the time that is convenient for you
.Kavita Pandey
Bhimtal.
Hello Kavita,
Sorry for delay in replying.
you are welcome to visit the farm at mutual convenience.
I am going to the farm on Nov 27 at 0830 hrs with Stafanie from Germany and Poonam from Templeton.
We plan to be back by evening.
You are welcome to join
Hello there! Architects Without Frontiers in Australia would be ready to help you in your building project if you contacted them and presented your case convincingly. You also need to find Indian architects who are ready to do pro bono work and who can collaborate with the Australian architects on designing a truly sustainable campus for you. Kindly start sending out feelers to all so that this process gathers momentum. It’s your baby right– so why procrastinate? Good luck!
Mr Hari:
I am pleased to read ur project . I am staying at Mumbai and am 70 yrs old. I am too pleased to come over there and see myself about ur project, but I don’t know when.
Is there any animals over there, as u say it is a forest?
Regards
Sethuraman
Hello Sethuraman,
Thanks for your note. We are glad that you like our project. You are most welcome to the farm. Summers are ideal; any time after mid Feb till mid June and then from mid Sep to Dec.
You please call me Hari. I completed 70 on Jan 03, 2012. The farm is surrounded by forests from all the sides. There are wild animals including dears, bores, porcupines,and plenty of birds. No life threatening animals like leopards have not been seen by us.
You are welcome to be a part of the project. Please join us at face book. We have been shortlisted for a competitive bid in Mahindra rise spark. Please vote for us. Our Email is
Love, peace and eternal bliss,
Hari
Sounds like an excellent initiative. We’ve just moved to Almora and would be interested in linking up with you to green our environment. We’d like to visit towards the end of Jan. Wishing you much success in 2012. Asha and Louk
Hello Asha and Louk,
Welcome to Almora, I spent my childhood there. Could you tell me your exact location ? Good idea to link up and we now already are. You are most welcome to visit us, at mutual convenience. Peace and eternal bliss. Hari
dear mr. pant,
it was so encouraging to read about your project. we are also looking for this model of sustainable development in kotdwar area of uttarakhand. i wonder if you and your organisation can be involved in this project. right now we have started an ngo with an aim of developing interest of mushroom cultivation in farmers of our area. we have started getting mushroom of around 500 kgs per day.
do stay in touch,
thanks and regards
deepak banyal
Hello Deepak,
thanks for your note. You are most welcome to visit us. We are a new start up and have been working from October 09, 2011. I am glad that you are producing 500 KG of Mushroom per day. How long have you been around and are you an agriculture man ?
I will like to have the Mushroom growing technology from you, if you would like to share.
I am yet to figure out, how to create an NGO. I do not have any idea. Could you assist me in this task ?.
May be some day in the near future, I will spare some time to visit your project. Till then I will be in touch. My Email ID is Himalayanfarmer@gmail.com.
Love and light,
Hari
Good start Mr. Hari…………..
Good start Mr. Hari………..
Thank you.
I seek YOUR total support and help– to vote and to reach out to your friends, campaign and ask others to vote for us too.
We have blooged about the competition on our blog too.
http://himalayanfarmproject.blogspot.com/2012/01/vote-for-us-we-are-counting-on-all-of.html
and to vote simply click —
VOTE HERE- http://www.sparktherise.com/projectdetail.php?pid=5513
Hello Hari,
My name is Serge, 56, living in Ukraine.
I have first found your profile in CouchSurfing website and then read The
Himalayan Farm Project site.
I am now planning my future trip and it is wonderful that I
came across the information about your farming project.
I understand this is a bit early to arrange anything but I would like
to know if I may come to your farm in mid-September and stay 2 weeks
or more.
I wrote you more information to himalayanfarmer@gmail.com a week ago
Hello Serge,
Thanks for your comment You are welcome to The Farm. We have monsoon season here from June 15 to Sep 15. There can be practically very little work during this period. You are welcome. I suggest your stay with us should be over by mid June or start in last week of September.
We have not received your mail at , it seems to have lost in the cyber space. Please forward the same again. Thanks for the interest.
Bliss and eternal love,
Hari
Hello Serge,
you are welcome in mid Sep 2012. Tom from France along with his friend Jo is steward of The Farm till Oct end. Welcome, welcome & welcome.
Hari Pant, Himalayan Farmer
Dear Hariji,
A Great Initiative, I would like to visit the fam and will email you well in advance. Looking to do some voluntary service at the farm.
best regards
KPS Menon
Dear KPS,
Thanks. You are welcome at mutual convenience. We so far cater for 7 volunteers at any one time. We are overflowing; nine as on date and six student and a teacher are arriving from Leh tomorrow.
best and eternal bliss,
Hari
Hari Aum Hariji!
The farm looks absolutely radiant! wondering if October is a good time to visit?
A novice at agricultural practices but extremely passionate about the Big Mother.. Would love to learn a few techniques to conserve and sustain our beautiful co-existence.
Thanking you for the inspiration..
Love and shanti always..
Hari Aum Tat Sat
Hello Zui,
Om Shanti. October is perfect time to visit. Oct to Mar is best period. June end to end Sep is monsoon and I my self do not wish to be there, because of my age 70 +, although monsoon is best time to plant lot of trees.
Please send a mail to for detailed information on volunteering. Tom from France with his friend Jo is steward on The Farm. You are welcome.
Peace and eternal bliss,
Hari Pant, Himalayan Farmer
Hi Zui,
Om Shanti.
Thanks for your comments. Apologies for delay in replying. We do not have an Internet at the farm due to lack of solar computer battery charging facility. If you are aware of any such equipment please let us know. October would be a great month to start work at the farm Mid June to Mid September is a monsoon season; but not a drop till date. The weather change is playing havoc. Man has destroyed Nature and Mother Earth seems to be taking a revenge. It ia a wake up call.
Love,peace and eternal bliss,
Hari
Dear Hari ji,
nice to be here. I liked it very much. Pl advise how to be a part of it and how can I contribute in your esteemed efforts.
Regards n thanks
Hello Jagdish,
thanks. We appreciate very much your desire to be a part of the Himalayan Farm Project and contribute towards the same. You are welcome. Please let us know more about you and after going through our web site, kindly send us a mail
himalayan farm project
himalayanfarmproject.com/
Hello Jagdish,
hope all is well at your end. When are you planning to come to The Farm. Generally we have monsoon in the hills from mid June to mid Sep. It is last day of the June and the sky is devoid of cloud. We are likely to have a dry spell; only God can save the country!!
I am waiting to hear from you,
Tom from France with his friend Jo (Switzerland) is current steward at the Farm. We had a month long workshop from May 18 to June 18 on cob house building; led by Steve Morison ( Ireland ) and restored a dilapidated building to the best room in the farm.
Peace & Eternal bliss,
Hari Pant, Himalayan Farmer,
Elliot my friend,beautiful and spiritual. I looked and I loved
Hello Patricia,
Namaste / Greetings of the day. Thanks for your interest in the HFP. We thank mother earth and google for connecting us to collaborate together. HFP is an all volunteers farm and We have volunteers round the year.
Elliot is our patron volunteer and he is the spirit behind The Farm. I am a mere care taker of The Project on his behalf. Elliot is the unseen moving force for all the volunteers, who come and collaborate to nurture the Mother Earth. The Farm belongs to all the volunteers, wher ever they are in the globe.
Peace, Hari Pant, Himalayan Farmer.
Patricia, you are invited and welcome to The Farm
Dear Sir,
It’s indeed a pleasure to know about your work and contribution. I am keen to know more about your work and would love to visit your place at a time convenient to you.
I am working with a Delhi-based company which deals in Solar Energy based products and have been mingling with many NGO’s, organizations with Corporate Social Responsibility programs, Rural Marketing etc., and would like to work with you to address and inform a larger audience especially the farmer community.
Regards,
Subeer
Hello Subir,
Namaskar / Greetings of the day. Thanks for your interest in The Himalayan Farm Project (HFP). You are welcome to visit us at any time of mutual convenience.
We are a start up farm project, barely nine months old and creating a sustainable organic farm cum training center cum retreat to reconnect people with nature and source of their food, from farm to fork. HFP is a totally volunteer farm, managed and run by volunteers. Ironically we have more volunteers from abroad, as we In India do not want to “dirty” our hands and do not care enough for nature !! I hope some day I am proved wrong.
We are totally off grid and use stand alone solar light for light and cell phone charging. We are looking for a 2-3 KW solar power house to meet our light, cell & computer battery charging and solar water heating needs. However we do not have the money required for this purpose; we are yet to pay for the land. We would be grateful, if you can help us with the project with the help of some organizations or corporate social responsibility programs. The HFP area is remote and is unlikely to have electric power in next 50 years. You will realize this when you visit us. I am also sending a mail about The Farm with various links.
Peace,
Hari – Himalayan Farmer.
hi Eliott this is vinod maurya.
i am very interested in himaliyan farm project.
you are doing very good job for farmers as well as agriculture.
i have some farmers whose are interested in this project.
with regard
Maurya, thanks for your support.
We will come and visit with Hari as to find possibilities oh working hand in hand.
Very warmly,
Eliott
great work, this was good to stumble upon. i’ve been thinking along similar lines and would be happy to collaborate sometime. meanwhile, do visit my social media page facebook.com/theorganicindian
Hi Auro,
You are welcome and we hope to learn a lot from you.
Peace & Eternalbli
Hi Auro,
You are welcome and we hope to learn a lot from you.
Peace & Eternalbli
Dear Brigadier,
by ur website . impressed about ur project . Wish to visit soon.
Hi Professor,
you are welcome. Please send a mail at giving your likely dates. A detailed mail would follow.
Love and light,
Hari
Hey guys! I emailed a week or so ago about volunteering– just wanted to check if you received it. Let me know
Hi Rachel,
Namaskaar. No Email received from you so far. You are welcome to volunteer.
Please send a mail at giving your profile information and likely dates. A detailed mail would follow.
Love and hugs,
Hari
Hello Hari,
I came to know about your activities from a reliable source. My trust is from Odisha, India.
We have now a proposal to plant trees in 1200 Ha of waste lands of Government of Odisha.
In another district our state our govt. also approved to plant rubber in 200 Ha. Rubber plantation area coming under scheduled area inhabited by primitive tribal groups. This project will be meant for them.
In this situation, we need your help to move forward.
At the same time, we want to participate your upcoming training on permaculture.
Please comment.
Hi Prema Nanda,
We are sorry for delayed response. Best wishes for taking plantation over 1400 Ha. We hope that tribals will surely benefit.Please let us know what help you require from us, we would do our best if feasible.
As regards PDC, we are a host and it is being conducted by Heal the Soil. All details were placed on web site. All 20 places have been filled.We wish you a better luck next time.
Peace & light,
Hari
hi
Hi Bhup,
Your text has not been received. Please resend or send an Emai at ,
Peace,
Himalayan Farm Family.