Work Exchange Opportunities
Volunteer as a farm intern on our Kona coffee farm.
UPDATE: No Openings Available
We're sorry but we do not currently have any room for more work volunteers.
Our quarters are currently booked through the end of 2008 and possibly through
most of 2009. We may get some cancellations but as it is now, we can not
accept any more work exchange volunteers.
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Kona Earth is a family owned and operated coffee farm on the Kona side of the
Big Island of Hawaii. The Kona Earth work exchange program is for
volunteers that are interested in learning about coffee farming and gaining
experience as a farm worker. In exchange for working on the farm,
volunteers and interns will be provided with food and lodging.
Our farm and the island are both beautiful places with lots to see and do.
Living on the coffee farm can be a great experience but it is also a lot of
work. We are not a hobby farm or a resort, we are a full-time business
with a huge amount of difficult work that needs to be done.
Our website has many Farm Life articles with lots of
pictures and stories about life on the farm. Browsing through these
articles may help give a sense of daily farm life. Keep in mind that
these articles can sometimes be a bit optimistic and no picture can truly
convey the tedium and discomfort of spending hours and hours enduring hot,
difficult, dirty work. Below are a few entries that describe working
on the farm:
Length of Stay
The length of stay is fairly flexible. A couple weeks to a few months is
typical. We get a lot of visitors so check with us for available dates.
We need to agree on firm arrival and departure dates ahead of time. Do
NOT show up until we have approved your visit or else you will very likely
have no place to stay.
Some folks find they want to spend more time working here than they originally
planned. It's also possible that it just won't be quite the right fit.
Either way, it is a good idea to purchase airfare with a flexible return date.
Requests for extended stays will be considered on a case by case basis.
We also reserve the right to cut a stay short if necessary.
Since we are in the tropics there is no real off-season. The Kona coffee
harvest is from late fall to early spring but there is plenty of farm work to
do all year long. In some cases, the "off season" can be even busier
than the harvest season. Work exchange opportunities are available at
all times of the year.
Work Schedule
There is always plenty of farm work that needs to be done and we will
definitely keep you busy. As a work exchange volunteer, you will not be
considered an employee and will not be paid. We offer food and lodging
in exchange for 30 hours of work per week per person. Be prepared for a
full day of physical labor, 4-5 days in a row, for your entire stay here.
We try to keep the schedule flexible but the work must get done so sometimes
it is necessary to work in the rain, on the weekends and more than the typical
eight hours per day. The schedule normally permits three days off every
week. The time off is a great opportunity to go to the beach, explore
the island or even find a part-time job.
Work Requirements
No prior experience is necessary. A positive attitude and a willingness
to work and learn is all that is required. We will thoroughly explain
and discuss any work tasks before expecting you to do the job yourself.
In some cases we will be working with you, in other cases you will be working
alone. In every case, you are encouraged to ask questions and ask for
help whenever necessary.
Possible work tasks include mowing, using the weed eater, pulling weeds by
hand, spraying herbicide, spreading fertilizer, spreading mulch, pruning,
trimming, digging, moving rocks, fixing fences, planting coffee trees,
processing coffee, drying coffee, packaging and shipping coffee, light
construction, painting, cleaning, equipment maintenance and whatever else
needs to be done. The work varies from season to season but there is
always plenty to do and we will definitely keep you busy.
Everybody has different strengths and with so much work to do it is often
possible to tailor tasks to suit the individual. At the same time, you
should expect to learn new skills and be challenged on a regular basis.
On a small family farm such as Kona Earth, you will experience all aspects of
coffee farming from bean to cup. If you have a specific area you're
interested in or a particular skill you'd like to learn, just let us know.
What to Bring
Required Items
Hat - The tropical sun is strong. In addition to sunblock, you
will want a hat to keep the sun off your face and neck. A wide brimmed
had is better than a baseball cap.
Work Boots - You will want both sturdy work boots as well as lighter
sandals. Your boots will likely get wet so a couple pairs might be
good, or at least an extra pair of sneakers and several pairs of socks.
Work Clothes- Several pairs of work clothes that can get dirty, greasy,
stained and possibly torn. Long pants and long sleeves are good protection
from the sun, mosquitos and brush. Shorts and short sleeves are good for
those really hot days.
Nice Clothes - A comfortable outfit (still casual, nothing fancy) for
going in to town.
Warm Clothes - Nights can get chilly. No heavy coat required but
short sleeves won't be enough.
Work Gloves - Costco sells a 3-pack of leather gloves for $20
Driver's License, Passport or ID
Health insurance information and medications
Optional Items
- Light rain coat
- Rubber mud boots
- Mask, fins, snorkel
- Water shoes
- Small day pack
- Mosquito spray
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Not Certified Organic
We don't use any insecticides and we follow many organic practices but we are
not certified organic. Working at Kona Earth, you will learn all aspects
coffee farming, both organic and conventional. We use glyphosate (a
common herbicide) and synthetic fertilizers in a way that we feel is the best
balance between productivity and sustainability. Farming environmentally
friendly yet profitably is not always easy or straightforward but with a
little ingenuity and effort there is usually a workable solution.
Accommodations
The barn has a new, very comfortable guest room with a bed, toilet, shower and
a great view. We considered renting out the guest room before deciding
to reserve it for family, friends and volunteer interns. The guest room
has hot water, electricity and a small kitchen area but no TV, no Internet
access and only shared telephone access. Cell phone coverage on the farm
is possible but spotty, reception is best from the top floor of the barn.
You can access email from our home computer on a limited basis.
We are a 15-20 minute drive from town and the closest beach. Of course
with a little more driving there are plenty of other beaches to explore.
In fact, the entire island is surrounded by beaches including several resorts
with beach access. Unfortunately we can not provide a vehicle and there
are no beaches, stores or restaurants within walking distance of the farm.
We go to town a couple times a week and will often offer a ride. There is
a free but limited
bus service around the island. Hitchhiking is also common on the
island. The closest busy road is approximately two miles away.
Food
Farm work burns a lot of calories so it is important to eat well. We
occasionally invite guests to join us for meals but generally you will be
expected to do all of your own cooking. The guest room has a small
kitchen area with a refrigerator, microwave, toaster oven and coffee
pot. We will supply all the groceries. Grocery shopping happens
once a week or so. Items we buy for ourselves are often shared and you
can provide a list for your own items. We will pay for reasonable food
requests but will not pay for gourmet items, junk food or alcohol. We
have several garden areas, several different fruit trees and plenty of fresh
chicken eggs. For non-vegetarians, we may also catch the occasional
wild pig.
Free Coffee
Of course one of the great benefits of working on a Kona coffee farm is all
the wonderful, fresh 100% Kona coffee. Most people
have to buy our coffee from our website but as a volunteer farm intern, you
can have all the free coffee you can drink while you're here. In our
opinion, a well caffeinated farm worker is usually a good thing.
Health Insurance
Traveling away from home always has risks and farming is one of the most
dangerous professions. Safety is paramount but injuries and illness are
always possible. We require interns to have their own health insurance
coverage (either your own or as a dependent of someone else). In case of
emergency, we will need your your health insurance contact information and two
emergency contacts. Of course we also need to know of any allergies,
medication or medical conditions you may have. If you have any other
conditions that may limit your work abilities, that would be good to know
too.
It is not required to be in top physical condition as long as you're willing
to exert yourself and do your best. You should be able to repeatedly
lift at least 50 pounds and walk uphill while carrying a heavy load.
Farm work always seems to entail a lot of walking. If you're not
accustomed to physical labor, you can expect to lose some weight while
working on the farm.
The Rules
The farm is our business as well as our home. As long as we all respect
each other then it should be easy to keep things casual and fun. We try
to be accomodating and flexible but there are a few common sense rules that
everyone needs to follow:
- No drugs, weapons or illegal activities (violation is immediate dismissal, no warnings)
- No smoking (including in the fields)
- No pets (we have plenty already)
- No overnight visitors without permission (sorry, no unauthorized parties)
Learn and Have Fun
Perhaps the most important rules of all are to learn and have fun. We are
involved with the Kona Coffee Council education workshops so you will have
opportunities to meet other farmers, tour other coffee farms and even meet
other interns. Many of the interns get together occasionally for events
or just to hang out.
Farm work can be difficult and the best way to get through it is with a
smile. We're always looking for new adventures and enjoy taking the
occasional day off to go play.
Interested?
If you think you or someone you know might be interested in a work exchange on
our farm, please contact us with the following information and we will let you
know what opportunities are available.
Feel free to email us () with any questions. Any addition information such
as a resume or picture would also be appreciated. Once we hear from you, we
will contact you with available dates and an application form.
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Help Wanted:
Are you willing to work on a coffee farm?
What to do?:
There is always plenty of work to do.
Farm Work:
Some days are more frustrating than others.
Farming Sucks:
Are you willing to work on a coffee farm?
Planting Coffee:
Digging 400 holes for 400 trees.
Migrant Worker:
This worker really earned his keep.
Ditch Digging:
Farming always seems to involve digging.
Farm Chores:
Several examples of farm work.
Mower Troubles:
It's not all beautiful beaches.