SADP has a great vision for developing organic agriculture in Pokhara and Nepal, and is involved in various projects, from those in full throe to new ventures currently being set up.
I spent my time at the Seti Valley farm where tasks involve on the one hand looking after the cows,  buffalo and goats, and on the other hand, tending to the vegetable crops. I worked alongside local paid workers, who are being trained in organic agriculture by the farm managers, so it is certainly an authentic experience. Here you can see a blend of local traditional and modern techniques of organic farming, such as the worm compost made using cow dung. Some of the time I had to work on my own initiative, just seeing what the workers were doing and joining in. The location of the farm is stunning - on a headland between two rivers, eagles flying overhead and snow-peaked mountains looming in the background.
The other part of volunteering for SADP is in experiencing traditional village life. I found the people to be very warm and friendly, everyone knowing each other and sharing in life together. There are always people passing through the house courtyard, as most of the village pathways cross though people's land and courtyards – there is not the separation that happens in urban life. I had the opportunity to take part in some local festivities (music and dance at a puja for a newly built house, and getting covered in paint on Holi).  My home stay was in a stone and earth house, I happily bathed in the river each day, and ate the tastiest Nepalese food I have been treated to while in the country. The neighbors mostly had buffalo, haystacks, beehives and vegetable plots alongside their houses. In the West, the village might be described as an eco-village, but here it is simply traditional life.
For me volunteering for SADP was and large a more holistic living and working experience than I have had in other wwoofing places (not intended as any criticism of the other places I have stayed!). My only regret is that I did not work harder at learning Nepali – I think this would have made my experience much richer.
Talking to Ramesh about the projects certainly is inspiring. Organic agriculture is gradually starting to catch people's interest in Nepal, and SADP is also trying to help move that momentum forward to support its member farmers by getting local people interested in buying their produce - if you have the time and resources to spend a prolonged period here and get involved on more levels, it could be an exciting venture...
 jjackmills@hotmail.com
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