Looking for a treehouse retreat in Karnataka? Head to the 200-year-old Varanashi Organic Farm near Mangaluru, where you can volunteer each month to learn organic farming and unwind from city life.

Located in Kepu village, 50 km southeast of Mangaluru, a 200-year-old, 50-acre organic farm has transformed from a family private land into a cultural hub for visitors from all walks of life.

Partha Varanashi, the sixth-generation steward of the land, explains that agriculture has always been close to his familys heart. In 1960, my grandfather established a farmers society called CampCo. Both my parents were deeply involved in agricultural studies my father earned a PhD in Microbiology, and my mother in Macrobiology.

Growing up on this land, Partha has watched it undergo numerous changes and developments over the years.

An Unintentional Inspiration

For over 30 years, the Varanashi family had welcomed friends and relatives to their farm, but they never considered doing so commercially until an unexpected event made them reconsider.

In 2006, a friend of Parthas mentioned a girl he knew who had just completed Class 12 and was unsure about her next steps. After hearing about the farm, she asked if she could come over and spend a few weeks to experience farm life.

She spent two weeks on our land and became so captivated by agriculture and organic farming that she decided to pursue a degree in horticulture engineering, Partha recalls.

This experience made Partha think. If farm life could inspire just one person, others from the city would likely appreciate this way of life too. It could be the perfect escape from the daily grind, he says.

The family then approached the Karnataka Tourism Department with the idea of promoting agritourism and decided to officially launch their farm stay in 2014.

Partha recalls that the idea of inviting volunteers first came to him in 2007 while he was studying Molecular Biology in Australia. There, they have a concept called WWOOFing, where people interested in farm life can volunteer to work on a farm in exchange for meals and accommodation. Inspired by this idea, the Varanashi family embraced the concept of mutual exchange and began welcoming volunteers to their farm in 2014.

Organic Farming and Farm-to-Table Meals at Varanashi

Volunteers at Varanashi Organic Farm participate in hands-on activities like harvesting, planting, and post-harvest processing. They also learn composting to create biofertilizer for the farm, which yields paddy, coconuts, pepper, and spices. Meals are provided, with 95% of the food sourced directly from the farms own organic produce.

Over 21 days, volunteers learn the fundamentals of organic farming, starting with a tour of the land. Partha, his family, and a team of locals introduce them to regenerative farming practices. We explain why chemical fertilizers are harmful to crops and explore sustainable alternatives, Partha shares. He adds that guests particularly enjoy the cacao trail.

On the cacao trail, volunteers are introduced to the chocolate-making process, from bean to bar. For those interested in gaining deeper knowledge, a five-day certification course is available for Rs 20,000.

To make their experience even more enriching, Partha and his team also offer life-saving skills like first aid and CPR, along with activities such as swimming, kayaking, and trampolining, taught by certified instructors.

While demonstrations for all activities are free, a certification for any of the courses comes at an additional cost.

Partha shares that the treehouse is the highlight of the stay. Standing 55 feet high, it appears to float in mid-air, with no stilts supporting it.

Built by locals, the treehouse features a cozy room with a king-size bed and a work table. When you step out onto the balcony, you are greeted by a 55-foot drop and a breathtaking view of the surrounding greenery, he adds.

Partha shares that the treehouse is the highlight of the stay. Standing 55 feet high, it appears to float in mid-air, with no stilts supporting it.

Built by locals, the treehouse features a cozy room with a king-size bed and a work table. When you step out onto the balcony, you are greeted by a 55-foot drop and a breathtaking view of the surrounding greenery, he adds.

The treehouse is available for Rs 6,000 per night, which includes food and accommodation. Partha mentions that it typically hosts four to five guests a month, while the farm welcomes about 15 volunteers each month.

Anupama Augustine, a research scholar from the University of Kerala and one of the volunteers, describes her experience as going back to mother nature and finding your true self. She adds, The farm tour and interactive session led by Partha uncovered the principles of regenerative farming and the cultural legacy the farm carries. She also notes that the experience deepened her appreciation for nature.

Sustainable Practices and Community Involvement at Varanashi Organic Farm

We upcycle farm waste into compost and have a biogas unit on the property. Additionally, we have solar panels (7.5kW and 2.5kW), eight natural ponds, and an 80-foot well for rainwater harvesting, Partha explains.

In addition to this, around 55 people from Kepu village are involved in various farm activities, including cooking, cleaning, and making bio-fertilizer.

Varanashi Familys Efforts to Connect City Folk with Locals

At Varanashi Farms, there is a challenge in bridging the gap between city volunteers and local villagers. Some locals have expressed confusion, even going to the police, about why city dwellers would pay to work on a farm. To address this, the Varanashi family organizes workshops, like A Day in the Mud, to explain the purpose of these volunteer programs and foster understanding.

City folk have embraced life at Varanashi Farms, with volunteers from 15 countries, including the US, Canada, France, Germany, the UK, Scotland, Australia, Japan, and Vietnam. The Varanashi family plans to add cottages for family stays. Reflecting on the farms transformation, Dr. Varanashi Krishna Moorthy, Parthas father, expresses pride in seeing the land evolve into a space for people to escape their daily routines. Volunteers can join for Rs 5,000 for 28 days, working six hours a day.

Contact the Varanashi family for more details here.

Edited by Gayathri