Permaculture, Regenerative agriculture, Rewilding

Role: Restoration and Maintenance of Permaculture Farm
Remun.: living stipend, plus on-site housing and farm produce (see below)

Location: Yucatan, Mexico
Housing: live on-site

Spend 2 or more months this winter on a Canadian-owned, 250-acre tropical farm and rewilding project in central Yucatan.

If you have a background or active interest in permaculture, regenerative agriculture, or conservation biology, or are a self-motivativated experiencial learner with farming experience, we are looking for a collaborator to live and work part time in a quiet, natural setting. Living stipend aligned with local prevailing standards, plus private on-site accommodations and farm produce.

The Inspiration for this Project

Eighteen years ago we began restoring compacted soils, planting fruit and native trees and experimenting with composting systems and nitrogen-fixing pioneer species. Covid-19 and health issues disrupted our plans but we are now ready to resume operations.

During the Classic Maya period (c. 250–900 CE), this region supported three times its current population despite its six-month drought cycle and shallow, rocky limestone soils. The genius of these early agricultural engineers has never been fully replicated. Although polyculture systems, forest gardens, and rainwater catchment reservoirs are used today, monoculture and synthetic inputs have degraded soils. By combining traditional knowledge, permaculture design, and applied archaeo-agronomy with on-site trials, we aim to develop productive agroecological systems that build long-term soil stability and regional food security.

Responsibilities

• Monitor health, prune, and tend to fruit trees, hardwoods, and multi-use species like ramón, moringa, and neem.
• Garden revitalization: Restore and maintain keyhole gardens and seasonal vegetable plots.
• Organic soil and pest care: Research and apply organic treatments for soil fertility, weed control, natural pest management, and site hygiene.
• Compost operations: Build, turn, and manage hot compost piles and vermiculture systems and cycle organic matter back into the soil.
• Inspect, clean, repair, and optimize low-pressure and gravity-fed drip irrigation lines.
• Operate, monitor, and troubleshoot solar-powered pumping stations, wells, and storage cisterns.
• Design and mark erosion-resistant interpretive trails and paths for visitors
• Establish permaculture designs, companion planting arrangements, and polyculture zoning.
• Research regional ancestral and native plants to develop strategies for incorporating them into the regenerative farm model.

An Ideal candidate

• Experience and a can-do attitude are more important than academic credentials.
• Thrives when trusted to take ownership of projects from design to execution.
• Able to troubleshoot challenges on the ground and manage daily workflows without close oversight.
• Ability to learn and problem-solve through online research.
• Knowledge of the safe use and maintenance of tools and basic machines.
• An active curiosity to research, test, and adapt regenerative practices.
• Practical background in farming, landscaping, permaculture, carpentry, or related outdoor trades, paired with an ability to plan and install site systems.
• Conversational Spanish is an asset but not essential if you are willing to learn as you go.
• Comfortable in a peaceful, off-the-beaten-path setting with an appreciation for simple, grounded living.
• Is energized by purposeful physical labor, a close connection to the land, and the freedom to shape the living landscape.

Benefits:

• Living stipend aligned with local standards, plus on-site housing and farm produce
• Private accommodations in furnished stone cabin with Wifi and solar power
• Toiletries, bedding, cookware, fuel, purified water
• Separate shower and composting toilet
• Access to hotel swimming pool, tours and activities free of charge during time off.
• Bicycle
• Nearby cenotes, caves and archaeological sites
• 20-minute walk to bus pickup, then 10 minutes to nearest town, 30 minutes to nearest city
• Other transportation by prior arrangement.

Contact:

Text me on WhatsApp if you have questions (52) 985 101-0277

Or forward your resume and expression of interest to:
BorntoFlourish09@gmail.com

Thanks!

Please mention you saw this at FoodWork.ca.