Merja & Oscar

Earthen home for Fundo Pomona

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    About us

    We are a couple building their first home and regenerative farm.


    My place

    We are situated in San Antonio de Cumbaza, about 20 min. from the city of Tarapoto. The area is right at the foothills of the Cordillera Escalera protected area, lush and green tropical forests and small villages along the river. There are good walking trails around and waterfalls as well. Our property is 4 ha of early secondary forest, which we purchased in poor condition after a history of unsustainable land use choices. We have begun to regenerate the soil and establish a food forest for our family, a highly diverse agroforestry system and help parts of the property return to native forest.


    Projects

    We have started on our small farm house, the first building on the property and our first proper experience in earth building. The foundations and timber framing are done, now we will begin on the palm thatched roof and then the walls. The roof will be made from shapaja leaves, which we'll gather from the property. We have been researching different tecniques for some time and are ready to finally start putting our hands into the soil and building quincha (wattle and daub) walls, interiors and an earthen floor. All skill levels are welcome help out. In addition to the house, depending on guests' interests and abilities, you are more than welcome to work us with the site design, earth works, food forest, kitchen garden, tree planting, vermiculture, chickens and turkeys, and black soldier flies.


    Accommodation

    Camping at the property if you have a tent etc. Plenty of firewood available, water or anything else you need can be taken up. The property is just a 20 min. walk from the village, but it's a good steep climb both ways! Staying at our temporary house in the village, there's a spare room. We have a car so when working on the house or taking materials we go by car and you can obviously ride with us there, or into town when there's a need for shopping. The village has basic bodegas and farmacies.


    Food

    On the days that you are working with us food will be provided by us, but we do expect our guests to participate in cooking as well as general cleaning up after themselves. We eat a flexible diet, but are happy to accomodate vegan or vegetarian eaters. Homemade cakes and cookies are usually available, made with naturally gluten free flours.



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