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
![Can a perfect ecological balance exist in agriculture? We currently face around 30% crop loss due to pest pressures and have been working with bioferments and plant-based preparations to strengthen plant health, tolerate damage, and reduce losses.
Our brewery got an update last month and became even more exciting!
Read more here: https://auroorchard.auroville.org/our-brewery-for-plant-health/
[AuroOrchard stories, Experiments, Practices, Ecology, Polyorchards, Vegetable gardening, Research & Education]](https://scontent-bom2-3.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/605831415_122118165351012885_3662188070157211094_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=YQIegghCzZoQ7kNvwFLumSd&_nc_oc=AdmRzFFPoMoIW4Os4HeU_GZ7bpfqtuLhyffSF-aGDrJL_9nE0Cwgqtv3sNfFS-azeAzWxp1JEUiC00WLvXtGKJV4&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-bom2-3.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=Alq5CYMWxS7xM9IGv2bZFQ&oh=00_AfrEAUhNPfGm1isKFADgaN3rGzcSvIh94ZT6pADrGdXfcQ&oe=69680065)
Can a perfect ecological balance exist in agriculture? We currently face around 30% crop loss due to pest pressures and have been working with bioferments and plant-based preparations to strengthen plant health, tolerate damage, and reduce losses.
Our brewery got an update last month and became even more exciting!
Read more here: https://auroorchard.auroville.org/our-brewery-for-plant-health/
[AuroOrchard stories, Experiments, Practices, Ecology, Polyorchards, Vegetable gardening, Research & Education]
Summarising the year 2025 at AuroOrchard!
Read more here: https://auroorchard.auroville.org/year-end-updates/
Smiles are a great indication of a fulfilling life, maybe that’s what our volunteers experience growing food for Auroville!🥭
We asked our volunteer Reuben what it’s like to be at the farm? He has been volunteering at the farm for the past 8 months, and has worked in the processing unit and the field! 🌱 His joyousness answers it all!
Volunteer at the farm, and join us at Farm Walks every Wednesday 10AM-12PM, email us at auroorchard@auroville.org.in 💚
#sustainable #auroville #auroorchard #volunteering #organic
![Farming is disappearing—globally, nationally, and within Auroville. As farmers age, youth exit agriculture, and farm labour is increasingly outsourced, we risk losing not just food producers but entire cultures of care, skill, and relationship with the land.
What does self-sufficiency mean without farmers?
Read more on our latest blog here: https://auroorchard.auroville.org/the-lost-generation-of-farmers/
Link to the blog also available on LinkTree.
[Auroville, Integral Agriculture, Research & Education]](https://scontent-bom5-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/603871603_122117263221012885_2048267407536879955_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=Y8n05W8lk0wQ7kNvwFcJRLG&_nc_oc=Adkj73jeE5wIbP1dbuw4kMoWSYMcYqv2OAkPyByuhi2I5kzHjdra4zBFpXG1Ipmz40UYHuurorll0b9JXLy5Uo9f&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-bom5-2.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=Alq5CYMWxS7xM9IGv2bZFQ&oh=00_Afo1fMQBjKAkdDblW5UZqbNkJvD7YpmgQKRMTv2UMqPJAw&oe=6967F75E)
Farming is disappearing—globally, nationally, and within Auroville. As farmers age, youth exit agriculture, and farm labour is increasingly outsourced, we risk losing not just food producers but entire cultures of care, skill, and relationship with the land.
What does self-sufficiency mean without farmers?
Read more on our latest blog here: https://auroorchard.auroville.org/the-lost-generation-of-farmers/
Link to the blog also available on LinkTree.
[Auroville, Integral Agriculture, Research & Education]
![FUNDRAISING PROJECT - III : TEAM SUPPORT
Until last year, we managed to support our team mainly from the farm income.
For the coming year, we are seeking some funds to be able to support the newcomers who have just joined the farm, a communication team that helps us share our work with the community and basic support like food and transport for our volunteers.
Our goal is to become financially sufficient in the next year to be able to support all our team expenses from the farm itself.
To read more about our plans for 2026, read our latest blog: https://auroorchard.auroville.org/help-us-raise-funds-for-2026/
Link to the blog also available on LinkTree.
[AuroOrchard, Fundraising, Donation Campaign]](https://scontent-bom5-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/601857088_122117262807012885_95128887749107367_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=sdnP1DElPM8Q7kNvwEljH-o&_nc_oc=Adn1fHLcWCZTNn86wpE9he2EYMqajZ0GZNcf79scbr_FxOBcVtqrtHZbhiCzKw2vjx1RMYNuYNceVa-zzxeSqLUy&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-bom5-2.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=Alq5CYMWxS7xM9IGv2bZFQ&oh=00_AfoNEX-TDaqClQ1DMZB15klHbCuCF_-WjGWNK7NjFF1_Ag&oe=6967FDCD)
FUNDRAISING PROJECT - III : TEAM SUPPORT
Until last year, we managed to support our team mainly from the farm income.
For the coming year, we are seeking some funds to be able to support the newcomers who have just joined the farm, a communication team that helps us share our work with the community and basic support like food and transport for our volunteers.
Our goal is to become financially sufficient in the next year to be able to support all our team expenses from the farm itself.
To read more about our plans for 2026, read our latest blog: https://auroorchard.auroville.org/help-us-raise-funds-for-2026/
Link to the blog also available on LinkTree.
[AuroOrchard, Fundraising, Donation Campaign]
![According to analyses by the Sentience Institute (USA), over 90% of farmed animals globally are living in inhumane facilities known as “factory farms” at present.
Exploring the role of animals in agriculture – can we farm ethically with animals while honouring their well-being? In our latest blog "The Dilemma of Animals in Agriculture", Anshul reflects on compassionate, regenerative relationships between humans and non-human partners in the field.
Link to the blog on LinkTree.
[AuroOrchard Stories, Integral Agriculture, Free-Range Poultry, Research & Education]](https://scontent-bom5-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/598114945_122116629309012885_7747246351186338757_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=Fmp-r49lOUUQ7kNvwH8lzrX&_nc_oc=AdlMGjX6bWcrh9qoSkOyGVdFw2dkKEKv5Cg1IJfy9eSX9bXOT113WMMqS8uwZahTpPECSH4-Cng3LAsyoQgRDLKJ&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-bom5-2.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=Alq5CYMWxS7xM9IGv2bZFQ&oh=00_Afr-YBGscIwsnW6wOzzUYwSxqApYv-_02K804XeeG1IyUw&oe=69682075)
According to analyses by the Sentience Institute (USA), over 90% of farmed animals globally are living in inhumane facilities known as “factory farms” at present.
Exploring the role of animals in agriculture – can we farm ethically with animals while honouring their well-being? In our latest blog "The Dilemma of Animals in Agriculture", Anshul reflects on compassionate, regenerative relationships between humans and non-human partners in the field.
Link to the blog on LinkTree.
[AuroOrchard Stories, Integral Agriculture, Free-Range Poultry, Research & Education]
![FUNDRAISING PROJECT - II : UPGRADING THE POULTRY INFRASTRUCTURE
Over the last three years we made significant changes to our poultry practice like changing the breed of the birds, adding maintenance protocols, upgrading the feeding and drinking systems for all the four coops (around 2000 birds). Major part of the funds received from last year were used for all this, but much remains to be done in 2026.
In the coming year, we would like to continue upgrading our poultry with free-range expansion, coop renovation (roof, flooring, nesting spaces), improvements aligned with humane poultry certification standards.
This work directly improves bird welfare and egg quality while restoring an ageing system.
To read more about our plans for 2026, read our latest blog: https://auroorchard.auroville.org/help-us-raise-funds-for-2026/
Link to the blog also available on LinkTree.
[AuroOrchard, Fundraising, Donation Campaign]](https://scontent-bom5-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/598263571_122116628013012885_1279344040729178722_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=F6p2rkoGOz0Q7kNvwH9yGnw&_nc_oc=Adl2cHk_tUrM1GSAvkCziW11_is0YXZKhZtDmliknguQ2Q_ovsaUx-BbkGLWeoUrawUBBHZBPtuIPzxYDprkGxgN&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-bom5-2.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=Alq5CYMWxS7xM9IGv2bZFQ&oh=00_Afr5jBXuT_8t0oAMMHMmk7KB6k3jHRuMTNidO2ChIieALQ&oe=69680E9C)
FUNDRAISING PROJECT - II : UPGRADING THE POULTRY INFRASTRUCTURE
Over the last three years we made significant changes to our poultry practice like changing the breed of the birds, adding maintenance protocols, upgrading the feeding and drinking systems for all the four coops (around 2000 birds). Major part of the funds received from last year were used for all this, but much remains to be done in 2026.
In the coming year, we would like to continue upgrading our poultry with free-range expansion, coop renovation (roof, flooring, nesting spaces), improvements aligned with humane poultry certification standards.
This work directly improves bird welfare and egg quality while restoring an ageing system.
To read more about our plans for 2026, read our latest blog: https://auroorchard.auroville.org/help-us-raise-funds-for-2026/
Link to the blog also available on LinkTree.
[AuroOrchard, Fundraising, Donation Campaign]
Join our newsletter for exclusive updates!
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.
