During the busier times at the SLC we welcome volunteers from all around the world to participate in a learning exchange at the gardens. 

What we will give you:

Accommodation in either our Earth Building/Cabins. Or you may choose to stay in your van.

• The Earth building is a shared attic above our volunteer lounge space (with fireplace and books etc.).

• The cabins are two single accommodations (without electricity), and look out onto our beautiful gardens.

Our life is based on maximizing time in the outdoors, and you do walk between our facilities.

We have a basic kitchen with a fridge, cooker and oven; and some food processing equipment.

We have a washing machine on-site.

And, WiFi!

Food - we have a budget that will be shared between the volunteers for dry goods. Our freezer is stocked with harvest from last year, and as fruit and veg come into season you will have access to fantastic regeneratively-grown food. We encourage slowing down, by buying pulses and spending time making nourishing food. You will be cooking your own meals, and we will share a community lunch once a week.

Knowledge - Each week we aim to give you some dedicated teaching time. This will (hopefully) cover:

• Propagation - how to sow seeds effectively & water.

• Foraging in Aotearoa - Healthy weeds to eat and use in the garden.

• Composting - how to build and flip composts

• Feeding the soil - JMS, foliar feeds, Comfrey & nettle teas

• OR Preserving - if available - kimchi/relishes/pickles/drying herbs/drying fruit.

• OR Earthbuilding - if a tutor is available - working on Earthbuildings.

Access to bikes - We have a few bikes to get to town (~5mins cycle) and to the nearby beaches (~25mins).

What we expect from you:

• 20hrs focussed and enthusiastic work - Although we are a community garden, we also function as a commercial market garden and so need some things to be done quickly and efficiently. We love to teach, and understand that you are learning as you go; but we hope that you will give as much as you can.

• One weekend of your stay - We ask that once during your stay you commit to checking the seedling watering, and re-stocking the stall. This only takes an hour each day, and we will reduce your hours in the week to make up for this.

• Functions and events - Most Summer stays will involve a Community Event, we would love you to help make these happen and will give you time off, or delicious treats, to make sure that the energy exchange feels fair.

• Keeping to the Volunteer Agreement (will be e-mailed to you on request).

If this sounds interesting, please email the general manager at general.manager@gbslc.org for more information.