Welcome at Walden Farm

Location: Qinglian, China

The Lin family has worked this land for around 400 years, according to the last surviving records, where we found that our ancestors migrated from Hubei province to Jiuling Town in Sichuan province. On our small plot of land, we originally harvested crops like rice, corn and vegetables as well as a variety of fruits. We know the area well and have seen firsthand how agriculture has changed in China over many generations.

Today, Walden Farm is a family run farm located in fertile, hilly northern Sichuan province, about 115 km north of Chengdu and a half-hour drive from Mianyang. We raise pigs, chickens and goats and cultivate a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. The farm covers more than 300 hectares of land, employs more than 200 local workers. We are also closely involved in the community of Qinglian town and are currently expanding the scope of our farm to include new sustainable ventures in ecotourism, education and hospitality.

Since 2012, we've welcomed over 300 volunteers from 41 different countries.

Our aim is to build relationships based on mutual cultural exchange, and to develop a deeper understanding of our place in nature. We want to share the true Chinese way of life with our volunteers, and together make an impact on our selves and for the world.

Nowadays, Walden Farm is rapidly growing and expanding. We are constantly looking for enthusiastic and motivated volunteers to help us transform the farm into a future sustainable eco-farming and eco-tourism model.

If you have these relevant skills and experience, join us and be part of our Walden Farm family :

PROMOTION & MARKETING : Website Development, Social Media Management, Digital Advertising, SEO, Blogging, Copywriting ...

TEACHING : Summer Camp and Weekend Camps for Chinese students.

RESEARCH : Sustainable Agriculture, Traditional Chinese Agriculture, Reforestation, Flora and Fauna, Livestock (pigs, chickens, goats, cows), Animals (birds, bees, wild animals, insects, microorganism)...

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT : Sustainable Architecture, Rural Development, Agroecology, Urban Planning, IT/Connectivity, Renewable Energy, Waste, Water and Soil Management...

ARTS : Music & Art, Film Production, Dance, Sports...

As a volunteer, you’ll receive free accommodation, meals and have access to all facilities on the farm.

You’ll mainly enjoy your meals in the canteen with other volunteers, family members and workers, made by two Chinese chefs. When the opportunity arises, volunteers together with our family will eat together in the family kitchen.

We expect you to work 4 hours a day but we have the philosophy that each volunteer is able to decide his or her purpose on the farm. We won't make you work if you don't want to, but it is good to feel like you are helping in some way. If you have special creative skills then we like art work from nations around the world, to demonstrate the international and collaborative nature of the farm. If not you could try your hand at building something you think the farm needs, using the workshop tools and the wood available around the farm. If you don't fancy something creative, then you could try helping out with some of the things listed ahead.

If you want more information please visit : www.waldenfarm.org