I'm a resident of the largest ecovillage project in China, the Second Home of Lifechanyuan. We are looking for permacuture or natural farming experts to help us restore saline-alkaline land for one of our properties in the westernmost of China, and transform it to a beautiful and fertile farm that are able to provide its residents with abundant organic foods. It would be also good if this farm can be developed ecologically into a favorable habitat for plants and animals.

The Second Home community of Lifechanyuan has a total of 600 mu (100 acres) of land. We are hoping to implement permaculture and natural farming principles to transform the lands into fertile farms which are able to produce high quality and healthy organic foods, but because we lack practical experience, especially with regards to the knowledge of plant characteristics, we find it difficult to carry out the production and other work in an effectively way. We therefore cordially invite global permaculture and natural farming experts to come here and coach us.

Two of our properties which are called Kataier and Gesaer Farms are located in Xinjiang Province and one called Nanhua Farm is in Jiangnan. We expect to begin our first work in Xinjiang. The main challenges will be to grow the right grasses, crops, and trees on the saline-alkaline soils, and to reverse the desertification of the land. This is a dry area which receives almost no rain throughout the year, and the irrigation water is mainly from underground aquifers and from rivers. In the long run, we should consider how to reduce the
exploitation of these aquifers and rivers in order to maintain the balance and sustainability of the
ecosystem. We should also consider how to reduce or eliminate the use of the chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and to produce healthy organic foods.

Because our community has just encountered a serious blow, our financial strength is very weak, and anyone who is willing to teach us must note that we are not able to afford your travelling expenses or to pay any consultation fees. This is all volunteer work, however we are able to take care of your local transportation, accommodations, and meals. Because our community is a 100% resource sharing
community, you can use any material resources while you are in residence here.

We look forward to volunteers who are selflessly dedicated to the sustainable development of humanity come here and give us coaching and guidance in the implementation of permaculture and natural farming on an arid land.

For more details on the background and situation of our three new homes, please check:

Inviting Global Permaculture and Natural Farming Experts to Give us Guidance in the Second Home
Ecovillage Project

http://lifechanyuan.org/bbs/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=7057

If you are interested in this exciting and challenging project, please write to lifechanyuan@sina.cn

Thank you!