• Responsible Consumption And Production

Agricultural Entrepreneurship in rural communities

location
2 - 50 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
rating  Outstanding 4.9  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • Make a real, lasting difference in people's lives through your participation in our socio-economic development projects.
  • Work side by side with local agri-entreprenerus to develop new products.
  • Gain hands-on experience in small to medium size enterprise development
  • Visit Kruger National Park and get the chance to see an elusive leopard or experience the gentleness of an elephant.
  • Enjoy an authentic South African experience in food, culture and wildlife together with staff, locals and other volunteers from around the globe!

Especially good for

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
50+

About the program

Our Agricultural Entrepreneurship program provide training in basic business and entrepreneur skills, agri processing, sustainable and contemporary farming techniques

Agriculture is still very active in the rural areas but mostly consists of subsistence farming with very little successful income or businesses being created. 

The Eco village is our classroom and showroom.

We believe that conservation and communities cannot exist in isolation of each other - hence ...

About the program

Agriculture is still very active in the rural areas but mostly consists of subsistence farming with very little successful income or businesses being created. 

The Eco village is our classroom and showroom.

We believe that conservation and communities cannot exist in isolation of each other - hence our goals through all our projects to interlink, grow, conserve and uplift. The holism of our programs is important as it works with the community as a whole to see the problems in a bigger picture.

As your focus will be on agricultural entrepreneurship you will spend a lot of time at our training farm, working with the product development team. From 8am to 4pm.

Spending time on our training farm:
- Agro-Ecology training, very similar to permaculture, but more suited to African conditions, 
- Helping at the farm and assisting with daily tasks.
- Helping with the chicken coop
- Manufacturing products from our farm such Pickle Beetroots, Monkey Orange syrup, gluten free flour and hot sauce.
- Exploring new recipes with Indigenous fruit & vegetables

Volunteers will stay at a Backpackers situated on the same property. You will spend your day working with the team, learning from them and having an amazing experience! The work is very hand-on, so expect to be busy but remember to have fun!

We believe that conservation and communities cannot exist in isolation of each other - hence our goals through all our projects to interlink, grow, conserve and uplift. The holism of our programs is important as it works with the community as a whole to see the problems in a bigger picture.

We have a programming structure as follows:

- Green Kidz (our environmental education programme - We support 11 elementary-schools around the area)
- Social Enterprise, where we support and grow small businesses through an incubator
- Agro-Ecology training, very similar to permaculture, but more suited to African conditions
- Rise creches (Our Early Childhood Development programme. We support 6 pre-schools around the area)
- Eco Village (this includes our recycling programme and our general day to day outreach into the village around us).

You will be immersed into the project as one of the team members to engage in the planning and running of the programs. You can combine our projects during your time with us or focusing on one (your choice). You will have the opportunity to explore our amazing area during the weekend (extra cost - We can organize it!)

We can't wait to have you join our Family!

Typical day

As your focus will be on agricultural entrepreneurship you will spend a lot of time at our training farm, working with the product development team, and visiting and assisting local small agri-businesses. From 8am to 4pm.

Spending time on our training farm:
  • Agro-Ecology training, very similar to ...

Typical day

As your focus will be on agricultural entrepreneurship you will spend a lot of time at our training farm, working with the product development team, and visiting and assisting local small agri-businesses. From 8am to 4pm.

Spending time on our training farm:
  • Agro-Ecology training, very similar to permaculture, but more suited to African conditions, 
  • Helping at the farm and assisting with daily tasks.
  • Manufacturing products from our farm such Pickle Beetroots, Monkey Orange syrup, gluten free flour and hot sauce.
  • Exploring new recipes with Indigenous fruit & vegetables
As well spending time with our outreach agri-businesses:
  • Spending time with our local satellite businesses helping with their projects (locally made hot sauce, hydroponics etc..)
  • Assisting local businesses with marketing, financial or operational support if and where applicable
  • Enterprise Workshop facilitation and assistance
  • Hydroponics training

Free-time activities

During the weekend volunteers can choose to chill and enjoy the pool with a cold drink as we do have a bar on site or exploring the area!

We can organize activities (at extra cost), from:
  •  A Safari in the Kruger National Park 
  •  Bush Walk in a big 5 area
  •  Panorama Route (Exploring the first largest ...

Free-time activities

During the weekend volunteers can choose to chill and enjoy the pool with a cold drink as we do have a bar on site or exploring the area!

We can organize activities (at extra cost), from:
  •  A Safari in the Kruger National Park 
  •  Bush Walk in a big 5 area
  •  Panorama Route (Exploring the first largest GREEN Canyon in the World! )
  •  Boat Trip
  •  Horse Back Safari
  •  Hikes
And so much more

Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level)

Criminal Background Check

required

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 08:00 - 16:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Nourish Eco Village

Included in your stay with us:

* Accommodation
* Three meals per day (7 days per week)
* Pick up and drop off from Hoedspruit or Airport
* Oversight and inclusion in your work and activities
* Nourish T-Shirt
* SIM card (if needed)
* WIFI
* Field trips with our Green Kidz to local spots like the Kruger National Park, or animal rehabilitation center

100% of your payment will go through our Nourish Foundation to help us to run all of our programs.

Airport Pickup at Hoedspruit Airport

We can organize pick up on Saturday and Sunday from Hoedspruit, in town or at the Estate Airport.

Accommodation

Volunteers will stay at Shik Shack Backpackers, situated on the same property as Nourish Eco Village.

Vounteers will be accommodated into one of our Chalet, with 2 bedrooms that each sleep 4pax and a private lounge in the middle.
Each room is furnished with 2 bunk beds fitted with comfortable bedding. Each room contains amenities such as towels, mosquito nets, fans, storage compartments, and a bottle of water. They will access of a communal lounge, an outside seating area, and an outisde shower (only for volunteers)

Volunteers will have access to all Shik Shack Backpackers facilities: 
The communal lounge (pool table, darts, board games),
The communal bathroom (3 showers, 3 toilets and 4 sinks),
The communal kitchen 
The bar (soft drinks and alcool available at extra cost), 
The fire pit (perfect for story telling), 
The swimming pool (great after a hard day at work)
The braai facilities (barbecue style).

Food & Beverages

3 meals per day and 7 days per week is provided.

Our meals are all South African dishes for a better Immersion. We can provide vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, etc.. options if necessary. 
Fruits & Juice are always available.

We do have a bar on the Shik Shack side, at extra cost. (beer, wine, spirit, soft drinks)

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Hoedspruit Airport (HDS) in Hoedspruit. We assist you to find cheap flights to South Africa. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for South Africa provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in South Africa you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for South Africa. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

We welcome volunteers all year around. 

We ask volunteers to arriveduring the weekend, where we can pick them up in Hoedspruit, in town or at Eastgate Airport.

Volunteers can start directly the next Monday with an introduction, then they will be shown around the property of Nourish Eco Village before starting directly from one of our programs.

Our programs run from Monday to Friday, from 8am to 4pm with 1h lunch break, volunteers will follow the same schedule.

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

2 weeks (min. stay) 720€
4 weeks 1,200€
6 weeks 1,680€
12 weeks 3,120€
50 weeks (max. stay) 11,310€
Average fees 293€/week

Program fees

293€ per week 2 - 50 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES

Duration

2 - 50 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.

Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with Nourish Eco Village during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

Meet your organization

Nourish Eco Village

Outstanding 4.9 rating (26 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 2011

Verified by Volunteer World

  Excellent response rate

Coordinated by

Loren

About the project

We engage with our communities through an Eco Village model with a variety of programming initiatives that fall under benefaction, education, enterprise and tourism.

Meet your organization

Nourish is a non-profit organization registered with the Department of Social Development in South Africa and has been running since 2011 in a village on the border of the Greater Kruger Park area. 

Our focus is on growing resilient communities. We believe in fighting poaching through fighting poverty - and thus all our projects are integrated, holistic and sustainable: to grow a better tomorrow...

Our goal is to create sustainable change - and have long-term impact in the spheres of both conservation and community upliftment. We believe that by working to grow resilient communities, that are healthy, educated, and have access to opportunities, we can break the poverty cycle and thus impact the poaching coming out of rural areas.

Our projects are all interlinked and holistic, in order to help a community grow in all aspects. We focus on early childhood development, food security, English literacy, social integration,
environmental education, conservation experiences, and entrepreneurial training.

We have a programming structure at Nourish as follows:
 
- Green Kidz (our environmental education programme-We support 11 elementary-schools around the area)
- Social Enterprise, where we support and grow small businesses through an incubator
- Agro-Ecology training, very similar to permaculture, but more suited to African conditions
- Rise creches (Our Early Childhood Development programme. We support 6 pre-schools around the area)
- Eco Village (this includes our recycling programme and our general day to day outreach into the village around us).

26 reviews · rating4.9

Although I worked as volunteer in Nourish only for two weeks, every experience that I had and time with people there was life-changing. In terms of volunteer work, I enjoyed to work at the farm and play with kids in Greenkids. Because as interested in environment and agriculture, I was really glad ...
As an Australian, coming to South Africa was a bit of an outlandish idea. I came to South Africa on exchange during school and ever since wanted to come back for another trip to volunteer more. I did my research and found a few places to volunteer at around Africa but Nourish stood out to me. From ...
It was an incredible and very rewarding experience. I was lucky enough to help the nourish eco village association for 6 weeks. I was made very welcome by the members of the association. I have wonderful memories of this experience and I met some wonderful people. Thank you very much! ...
The Nourish Eco Village Internship in Agricultural Enterprise Development in Africa provides a unique opportunity to work directly with the local community on agri-processing and agro-ecology methods. The opportunity to work with staff directly in the field ensures hands-on learning in a ...
Firstable, I'd like to speak about the wonderful staff... Both local staff and managers, are very kind and caring with the volunteers, it was very helpful for me to adapt and feel confident. Then, the place is very lovely, there are a few places to chill, there is a swimming pool, a little bar and ...
Fantastic experience - travelling from Australia to South Africa was well worth it purely for Nourish. Staff were great - professional and fun. Shout out Donald, the volunteer supervisor - our time would not have been the same without you. Meeting volunteers from diverse backgrounds was awesome, and ...

Location

Africa > Southern Africa > South Africa > Hoedspruit

You might also be interested in

Volunteer Abroad  >  NGO Support  >  Business Development in South Africa
Contact Loren
  Excellent response rate

Most volunteers ask about

Do you have any more questions? Send a message to Loren
Please don't share personal contact details for your privacy

Book with Flex Option!

Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs within 12 months.

Enjoy our services for dedicated volunteers!

Enjoy a Refund Guarantee, Free Flex Option, and Emergency Assistance. Our Price-Guarantee ensures unbeatable value, and our Support Team is ready to assist.