About.
Maya Mountain Research Farm (MMRF) is a registered Non-Governmental Organization working at the intersection of agriculture and ecology. Founded in 1988, wee specialize in repair of damaged landscapes, and also do renewable energy work in communities. Working in communities in the foothills of the Maya Mountains, we envision an evolving economy built on agroforestry.
in 2019, MMRF was an award winner for the Commonwealth Innovation for Sustainable Development Award for its work in agroforestry and permaculture at a ceremony in London, where he was presented the award by the Right Honorable Baroness Patricia Scotland of the Commonwealth and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.
Bookings.
Overnight Accommodation
Housing Facilities
Accommodations are simple but comfortable. In order to create privacy as well as a sense of community, the three dorms are a few minutes walk apart, they each contain a few rooms and a common space. They all have solar powered light. There is no television or radio, but plenty of hammocks, tables and games, and interns are more then welcome to bring along their musical instruments.
MMRF’s satellite internet powered by renewable energy is available at certain hours of the day, dependent on battery state of charge. Free internet is available to anyone staying at MMRF with their own wireless equipped laptop.
MMRF is a very well established farm utilizing permaculture principles with over 25 years of work behind it. The farm has been designed to mimic natural processes, and, in microcosm, with our stacked polyculture, and vertically integrated components, our agroforestry system resembles the primary rainforest in structure. We raise chickens, turkeys and duck, and we also raise insects for poultry food. The farm has a piggery where much of our excess food goes. The manure is composted. The farm is set up to facilitate internal nutrient cycling.
A high percentage of the food eaten on the farm is produced on site. Most of the work here is agrarian, involving planting and maintaining plants, harvesting and processing food. We make our own soaps, jams, vinegars and chutney. The researcher cabins, classroom, kitchen and dining area are all powered by photovoltaic or photovoltaic/wind systems.
There are opportunities to tour the site, get involved with the daily work, help in the kitchen, and enjoy the natural beauty of Belize during your stay.
Plan your trip to the farm with this in mind: The farm has no road access. The trail in can be muddy, and parts of it are steep. Interns must either walk in and out, or hire a dory.
Feel free to message us with any questions. Thank you!
Weekly Internship
MMRF can accommodate researchers, interns, and visitors on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.
If you have 1 or more weeks to stay, and are interested in learning experientially about permaculture and sustainable tropical agriculture, you can be an intern. You will be taught about the various systems and activities on the farm, and participate in the day-to-day running of the farm and project. Interning at MMRF is not a holiday. Expect to work hard on the farm.
These are the sorts of activities you might expect to join in:
-Reforestation of fire damaged areas
-Gardening
-Biochar making
-Feed pigs
-Produce biogas
-Plant cacao
-Plant vanilla
-Assisting Helping Older People Equally prepare food produced at MMRF for weekly elderly feeding program
-Agroforestry maintenance and expansion
-Establishing tree nurseries on the farm or in local communities
-Plant trials
-Workshop facilitation
-Food harvesting
-Poultry management
-Post-harvest processing
-Kitchen assistance
-Construction
-Vanilla data collection
-Assist researchers
-Housing Facilities
If you would like to stay more than one month as an intern (the cost of your stay is also reduced), you will still participate in the day to day running of the farm and project, but if you like we can also arrange a personal project with you. This project would take into account both your interests and skills and also the needs of the organization. Once set up, it would be largely self-directed.
Housing:
Accommodations are simple but comfortable. In order to create privacy as well as a sense of community, the three dorms are a few minutes walk apart, they each contain a few rooms and a common space. They all have solar powered light. There is no television or radio, but plenty of hammocks, tables and games, and interns are more then welcome to bring along their musical instruments.
MMRF’s satellite internet powered by renewable energy is available at certain hours of the day, dependent on battery state of charge. Free internet is available to anyone staying at MMRF with their own wireless equipped laptop.
About:
MMRF is a very well established farm utilizing permaculture principles with over 25 years of work behind it. The farm has been designed to mimic natural processes, and, in microcosm, with our stacked polyculture, and vertically integrated components, our agroforestry system resembles the primary rainforest in structure. We raise chickens, turkeys and duck, and we also raise insects for poultry food. The farm has a piggery where much of our excess food goes. The manure is composted. The farm is set up to facilitate internal nutrient cycling.
A high percentage of the food eaten on the farm is produced on site. Most of the work here is agrarian, involving planting and maintaining plants, harvesting and processing food. We make our own soaps, jams, vinegars and chutney. The researcher cabins, classroom, kitchen and dining area are all powered by photovoltaic or photovoltaic/wind systems.
Plan your trip to the farm with this in mind: The farm has no road access. The trail in can be muddy, and parts of it are steep. Interns must either walk in and out, or hire a dory.
Feel free to message us with any questions. Thank you!
Monthly Internship
MMRF can accommodate researchers, interns, and visitors on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.
If you are interested in staying for 1 month or more, and are interested in learning experientially about permaculture and sustainable tropical agriculture, you can be an intern. You will be taught about the various systems and activities on the farm, and participate in the day-to-day running of the farm and project. Interning at MMRF is not a holiday. Expect to work hard on the farm.
These are the sorts of activities you might expect to join in:
-Reforestation of fire damaged areas
-Gardening
-Biochar making
-Feed pigs
-Produce biogas
-Plant cacao
-Plant vanilla
-Assisting Helping Older People Equally prepare food produced at MMRF for weekly elderly feeding program
-Agroforestry maintenance and expansion
-Establishing tree nurseries on the farm or in local communities
-Plant trials
-Workshop facilitation
-Food harvesting
-Poultry management
-Post-harvest processing
-Kitchen assistance
-Construction
-Vanilla data collection
-Assist researchers
-Housing Facilities
If you would like to stay more than one month as an intern, you will still participate in the day to day running of the farm and project, but if you like we can also arrange a personal project with you. This project would take into account both your interests and skills and also the needs of the organization. Once set up, it would be largely self-directed.
Housing:
Accommodations are simple but comfortable. In order to create privacy as well as a sense of community, the three dorms are a few minutes walk apart, they each contain a few rooms and a common space. They all have solar powered light. There is no television or radio, but plenty of hammocks, tables and games, and interns are more then welcome to bring along their musical instruments.
MMRF’s satellite internet powered by renewable energy is available at certain hours of the day, dependent on battery state of charge. Free internet is available to anyone staying at MMRF with their own wireless equipped laptop.
About:
MMRF is a very well established farm utilizing permaculture principles with over 25 years of work behind it. The farm has been designed to mimic natural processes, and, in microcosm, with our stacked polyculture, and vertically integrated components, our agroforestry system resembles the primary rainforest in structure. We raise chickens, turkeys and duck, and we also raise insects for poultry food. The farm has a piggery where much of our excess food goes. The manure is composted. The farm is set up to facilitate internal nutrient cycling.
A high percentage of the food eaten on the farm is produced on site. Most of the work here is agrarian, involving planting and maintaining plants, harvesting and processing food. We make our own soaps, jams, vinegars and chutney. The researcher cabins, classroom, kitchen and dining area are all powered by photovoltaic or photovoltaic/wind systems.
Plan your trip to the farm with this in mind: The farm has no road access. The trail in can be muddy, and parts of it are steep. Interns must either walk in and out, or hire a dory.
Feel free to message us with any questions. Thank you!
Key Stats.
Year founded
1988
Size of project site
28 hectares
Languages spoken
- English
- Spanish
- Ketchi Maya
People on site
4 - 45
Dry season
Wet season
Living Conditions.
Sleeping
- tent camping
- shared rooms
- private room
Omnivore Food
- communally cooked meals
- communal kitchen access
Internet
- medium: voice calls (no video)
Ongoing classes
- permaculturedaily
- nutrition/cookingdaily
- plant medicinedaily
Opportunities
Maya Mountain Research Farm is currently offering the following opportunities:
- Interns
Contact Maya Mountain Research Farm
Register or login to contact this center.
Review Maya Mountain Research Farm