AuroOrchard is Auroville’s oldest farm, founded in 1968 and spread over 25 acres of red earth on the eastern coast of Tamil Nadu, it has been a cornerstone of Auroville’s food system for more than five decades. Despite the challenges of farming today, the farm resiliently holds to its purpose, ‘growing food for Auroville’ and tending to the fragile web that binds land, community, and spirit together.
AuroOrchard is Auroville’s oldest farm, founded in 1968 and spread over 25 acres of red earth on the eastern coast of Tamil Nadu, it has been a cornerstone of Auroville’s food system for more than five decades. Despite the challenges of farming today, the farm resiliently holds to its purpose, ‘growing food for Auroville’ and tending to the fragile web that binds land, community, and spirit together.
We care for orchards planted decades ago while planting new ones for the future. Using syntropic and successional methods, we grow food while deepening biodiversity and soil life.
Our vegetables grow through every season. With compost, rotations, and minimal soil disturbance, we nurture the land while providing a steady flow of fresh produce to Auroville all year.
Ninety percent of our seeds come from the farm, some saved for over 40 years. We raise our own saplings and share seeds and plants to keep diversity alive.
Our hens roam freely outdoors, providing healthy eggs for the community. We continually explore better ways to care for them—balancing their well-being with the farm’s needs.
We preserve nature’s surplus by drying, fermenting, and pickling. This reduces waste, extends the harvest’s availability, strengthens the farm’s economy, and creates opportunities to work with food beyond the field.
The farm is a place to learn, experiment, and share. We refine practices, host learners, and exchange knowledge to help grow a new generation of farmers.









Est. 1968 AuroOrchard is the oldest farm of Auroville growing food for the community, empowering people & broaden research into agriculture of future

AuroOrchard | Auroville
Est. 1968 AuroOrchard is the oldest farm of Auroville growing food for the community, empowering people & broaden research into agriculture of future

*Join us for a two-day workshop on growing your own mushrooms! 🍄*
A hands-on workshop exploring simple, accessible methods for growing gourmet and native mushrooms at home or on a farm- no expensive lab equipment or specialized skills required.
Participants will learn practical techniques for cultivating mushrooms in backyards, gardens, and farm settings using low-cost, low-tech approaches - from log inoculation and straw bed methods to outdoor patch cultivation and identifying the best growing sites in your landscape.
*Day 1 -13th June*
Introduction and deep dive into the world of Fungi
Theory on different methods of cultivating mushrooms
Substrate selection and preparation with hands-on experience of pasteurization
*Day 2 -14th June*
Deep dive into bucket and log cultivation- pros and cons of both.
Hands-on experience of inoculating buckets and selecting the suitable growing area
*Suitable for:*
Home gardeners looking to diversify their harvest
Farmers interested in adding a new crop
Food enthusiasts wanting the freshest possible ingredients
Anyone curious about fungi!
*13 & 14 June 2026 | 3:00 – 5:00 PM*(Sat & Sun)
*Facilitated by Ishan - Mycophile & Mushroom Cultivator*
Limited spots available. Contribution based.
*Registration (Mandatory):*
https://forms.gle/XtysP8Eef3hQk2n37
*Location:*
https://maps.app.goo.gl/FpRuKH5bfBurmsQL7
*Contact:*
Charan +91 8431764831

Subabul (Leucaena leucocephala) is another of our key biomass species. It is a leguminous, fast-growing tree that is hardy across a range of soil conditions. The leaves make excellent mulch and are also a good source of protein for our chickens. We grow Subabul in high density across the farm, especially along boundaries and between plots, thinning them as they mature. Pollarding is done at about 1 meter, and with irrigation, we can get 7–8 cuts in a year.
#auroorchard #auroville #subabultrees #farm #biomass

How do we conserve 100-year-old heritage mango varieties while transforming monoculture orchards into diverse polyorchards? How do we build fertility within the system, so nothing needs to be brought from outside?
How do we design orchards that begin feeding us within six months, instead of waiting five years?
What system of agriculture can be designed that does not depend on hired labour and where aspiring farmers can be integrated easily?
These questions have been guiding our experiments in the orchards and our work with the syntropic model. Join us to know more!
#auroorchard #orchard #syntropicfarming #mango #farming
🌿 Stories ~ April 2026 ~ #16 — Here’s a glimpse into what’s been happening at the farm. To sign up for our monthly newsletter, please check the link in the bio.
#auroville
#auroorchard #auroorchardstories #abundance

Last weekend at the Orchard, we gathered for a session on Conscious Animals with Jasmine and Vivekan.
The afternoon was woven together through stories, experiences, questions, and reflections on our relationship with animals and the role they play in our lives. Drawing from their own journeys of living and working closely with animals, Jasmine and Vivekan shared observations from the farm, encounters with farmers, and experiences that have shaped their understanding of care, coexistence, and responsibility.
A recurring thread throughout the session was how animals can become our teachers. Through simply being with them, observing them, and caring for them, they invite us to slow down, pay attention, and notice qualities that often go unseen in our fast-paced lives. The conversation moved through themes of farming, food, sanctuaries, animal welfare, and the many ways animals have traditionally been part of larger living systems that connect people, land, and community.
We concluded the afternoon with a visit to the cows and other animals at the Orchard.

Large quantities of freshly harvested, organic Imampasand, Banganapalli, Malgova, Rajapuri, Sindhoora, Totapuri varities of Mangoes are available.
To order, please message 9882685365.
#mangoseason

About 70% of the expense involved in keeping chickens is food. At the moment we buy chicken feed available commercially which contains a mix of grains. We also feed the birds fresh greens like Moringa, Subabool, Chicken spinach etc. Growing grain ourselves is not viable at our scale, and sourcing it from clean, external farms would make the eggs significantly more expensive. Clean and ethical food requires that we prioritise health over economics. At the same time, we need to remain accessible and competitive in the market. We are actively exploring collaborations with those producing clean chicken feed, or who might be willing to do so with us.
#auroorchard #auroville #poultrylife #poultryfarming #fyi

Abundance product of the month: Mango season is here and we are making Aam Panna from raw mangoes harvested from our orchards. This refreshing summer drink is slow-cooked and blended with jaggery and spices. Aam panna is known for its cooling properties and is a great way to stay hydrated in the heat. Made in small batches, with no additives or preservatives. Order link in bio.
#aampanna #mangoseason #rawmango #auroorchard #auroville

Technology, and particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), are rapidly transforming agriculture worldwide. While some imagine a future where machines replace human labour, this session explores a different possibility: technology that supports farmers, strengthens ecological stewardship, and works in harmony with human consciousness.
At *AuroOrchard’s Conscious Technology Lab*, we are experimenting with smart irrigation, automation, sensors, and data-driven farming practices designed to reduce water wastage, improve yields, and support more conscious cultivation. The session will introduce the ongoing work of the Lab and open a space for reflection on the relationship between technology, ecology, and the future of farming.
*6th June, Sat 3 PM – 5 PM*
*Facilitated by Azhaa Talam*
*Azhaa* is a DevOps Engineer and Project Manager with expertise in IoT, automation, and sustainable technology solutions. His work focuses on integrating sensors, cloud platforms, and practical data-driven systems that bridge innovation, sustainability, and real-world impact.
Limited spots available.
Registration (Mandatory, Link in Bio):
https://forms.gle/XtysP8Eef3hQk2n37
Location:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/FpRuKH5bfBurmsQL7
Contact:
Charan +91 8431764831
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AuroOrchard is certified organic by the Tamil Nadu Organic Certification (ORG/SC/1906/001683) Department accredited by APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Exports Development Authority), New Delhi, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
AuroOrchard Poultry is recognised under the Certified Humane Program, a globally recognised, independent, international auditing body dedicated to creating a more humane world for farm animals.








