Village Farm Organic Homestead Farm-To-Table Workshops
Disconnect from your devices and reconnect with yourself through food and nature during our immersive and unforgettable 3 day workshops. Three days not long enough? No problem, extra time at our unique farm can be arranged upon request. Want to spend some time exploring southern Belize and relaxing on the beach in Placencia afterwards? Just ask about our farm-to-beach adventure package.
Attention Fellow Adventurer: This experience is intense/sive, immersive and mind expanding. Our unique property is a working organic tropical permaculture farm founded in 1971 and located in a protected marine reserve. We are off-grid. There is no road and the only way to our farm is a 10 mile boat ride along the wild coastline of the Port Honduras Marine Reserve in Toledo District, Belize. Our accommodations are rustic and basic. A mature intact mangrove forest stretches along our shoreline and we are in the heart of coastal rain forest. We are an organic property so we do not spray any toxic chemicals of any kind on our land. That means there are biting insects: mosquitoes and sand flies being the most common. At times (depending on the time of year, breeze, rainfall, etc) it can be quite buggy. In rainy season (typically June through January) it may be muddy. This is a long pants destination. Machete optional, closed toed shoes required. We do not have hot running water, and we use a composting toilet system with no flush toilets. There is no air conditioning, though thanks to our solar system and solar powered freezer we can offer you cold drinks and electric fans when you need to cool off.
Why Come? What we offer is an unprecedented all senses farm and jungle-to-table experience in a unique place. At Village Farm Organic Homestead you disconnect from devices and reconnect with yourself and nature. Get your hands dirty and be part of a real local food chain in the midst of the intense wilderness and peace that is the Port Honduras Marine Reserve.
Imagine entire days not hearing a single car engine, ambulance/police siren or smart phone notification. Waking up to talkative parrots or howler monkeys. Looking out for some of the over 250 species of birds sighted here. Sipping a farm-fresh golden tea that you made with your own hands while watching fish jump near our private pier. A jungle expedition harvesting wild and domesticated ingredients with our intrepid farm team followed by a hands on cooking class transforming them into a delicious meal with an irreplaceable terroir. Picking organic, seasonal fruits, tropical super foods and spices for every meal, while learning all about these versatile ingredients from your anthropologist-farmer guide. Evenings spent with your anthropologist guide exploring your own culinary heritage and reflecting on our days activities as part of our culinary anthropology discussions. Get a taste of food studies from your own private professor while sampling a hand crafted farm cocktail featuring Village Farm flavours and Toledo District’s famous Copalli Rum. Gain a new perspective on yourself and your place in the world through a weekend exploring food in the wild peace of the Port Honduras Marine Reserve, Toledo District, Belize. Want to learn more? Email us now at tastebelize@gmail.com for details and prepare to venture where jungle meets sea.
Price for 3 day workshop:
750USD/1500BZD per person. 2 person minimum to book. 3 nights and 3 days of activities.
What’s included:
Boat transportation: to and from Village Farm Organic Homestead from Garbutt’s Marina, Joe Taylor Creek, located in Punta Gorda Town, Toledo District, Belize. *Air conditioned van transfer from other locations in Belize to Garbutt’s Marina, Punta Gorda, can be arranged at an additional cost. Please inquire when booking at tastebelize@gmail.com
Accommodations: Accommodations are included in our rooms in The Ritz or the Garden Guesthouse, or upgrade to The Seaside Villa with its own private bathroom for 150 dollars more. On a budget? Save 50 dollars on your booking by sleeping in our Barn Bunkhouse in a bed with your own bug/privacy net, fan and shared bathroom. All accommodations use composting toilet systems.
Meals:
- Three hearty meals a day
- Snacks and Sweets
- Farm fresh iced herbal teas, juices and smoothies
- Chocolate or Rum tastings
- Farm foraged samples ranging from wild hearts of palm to spices like black pepper, allspice and cinnamon to tropical fruits that are in season during your visit- mamey, surinam cherry, carambola and much more.
All Farm Activities: these are led by your personal culinary anthropologist and guide Dr. Lyra Spang including:
- Foraging of wild ingredients and harvesting of farm spices, fruits, vegetables, roots and greens.
- Hands on learning about sustainable, organic, permaculture farming systems.
- Super Foods and Nutrition: Learn all about our farm fresh tropical super foods, their benefits, and how to incorporate them into your diet.
- Farm to Table Cooking in the Tropics: Processing and cooking of farm products and select outside ingredients into delicious farm-to-table meals and drinks.
- Guided Rainforest Walks: Learn about this amazing ecosystem while we keep our eyes and ears out for wildlife!
- Food and Anthropology Discussions: on culinary heritage, identity through food, food and farming systems and food supply chains. Led by Dr. Lyra Spang, your guide and culinary anthropologist.
Email tastebelize@gmail.com to book.
We only require a 2 person minimum to book. Want to add some days on the beach afterwards? Ask us about post-workshop transfers to the beautiful beach side community of Placencia Village and hotel and adventure options there.