We had a wonderful gathering of curious and enthusiastic participants who came together to learn the art of making kimchi. The session began at the farm, where everyone joined in harvesting fresh produce that later became part of the kimchi itself.
From cutting and mixing to understanding the simple process behind fermentation, the workshop turned into a beautiful hands-on sharing. It was joyful to see everyone participate in preparing the ingredients and learning how such a nourishing food can be made with simple steps.
The kimchi was then left to ferment for a few days, allowing the natural transformation to take place. Afterward, we shared the finished kimchi with everyone who joined the session.

Join us for an introduction to Syntropic Agroforestry(Online)-
a farming approach developed by Swiss farmer and researcher Ernst Götsch, through his decades of work in Brazil. We’ll explore the key design principles and share practical examples from AuroOrchard’s tropical wet-and-dry context in Auroville. This is also an opportunity to join a growing conversation with farmers and growers interested in this work.

Please register here(Link in Bio): https://forms.gle/ra5AauLRnxESrkew9

For any questions, please reach out to auroorchard@auroville.org.in

*Inviting all fruit lovers, fruit explorers, and fruit connoisseurs.*

Join us at Auroorchard for a simple gathering around fruits. Bring along some fruits to share, sit under the trees, taste what everyone brings, and enjoy fruity conversations with fellow enthusiasts.

An evening to relish delicious fruits, exchange stories about favorite varieties, exchange ideas on fruit cultivation, and imagine how we can create more fruit forests around us.

*Registration Link (Mandatory)*
https://forms.gle/XtysP8Eef3hQk2n37

*Limited spots*

*Friday(13th March) | 3pm-5pm*
*Location*- https://maps.app.goo.gl/AKoo6riUbTSGP9HQ7

Contact- Charan +91 8431764831

The Art of Kimchi Making & Fermentation Basics

Join us for an immersive kimchi making workshop with Chef Ruben, where you will learn to craft traditional kimchi from scratch. The session covers fermentation essentials, ingredient selection, flavour balance, and the science behind vibrant, living foods. Whether you are new to fermentation or looking to deepen your practice, you will gain practical knowledge you can apply at home.

*Chef Reuben* is the in-house chef at AuroOrchard and the creative force behind its value-added products. With a professional culinary background and extensive kitchen experience including working at Michelin star restaurant, he brings hands-on insight to guide participants through the fundamentals and finer nuances of fermented foods.

Registration link (Mandatory)*
https://forms.gle/XtysP8Eef3hQk2n37

Voluntary contributions are welcome.

_Limited spots_

Venue- AuroOrchard
Time-3-5pm
Date- 6th March, Friday

Contact- Charan +91 8431764831

Farmers and growers from Auroville came together for a lively and insightful session on composting essentials. From kitchen gardeners to those running farms, the group explored Thermophilic Composting, SPIC, Johnson-Su Bioreactor, and Vermicomposting, understanding their strengths and practical applications.
Led by Keivan Negahbani, the workshop was both fun and deeply informative, sharing years of hands-on experimentation and experience in building healthy, living soil.

Our gratitude towards @pebblegardenforest for the support and hosting the workshop.

Join us for a clear and engaging overview of composting essentials - what makes high-quality compost and how different methods compare in their strengths and limitations.

We will cover:
* Scientific Thermophilic Composting
* SPIC Fermentation Composting
* Modified Johnson-Su Bioreactor Composting
* Vermicomposting
Future sessions will include hands-on deep dives into each method.

About the Presenter:
*Keivan Negahbani* is a lifelong student of Permaculture, Agroecology, Soil Biology, and Regenerative Agriculture, with a PDC and Agroecology certification from India. He now trains as a Soil Food Web Consultant and has led composting and waste management initiatives in India and Australia.

Limited spots. Contributions based. Register here.
LINK IN BIO
https://forms.gle/4gGW5hjxbtA4wUDG8
📍 Location: Pebble Garden
(https://maps.app.goo.gl/zEUnDTm3WDfc3P5S6)
📅 27th Feb | 3pm-5pm

📞 Charan +91 8431764831

We recently hosted a beautiful knowledge-sharing session on bananas with Vinod Sahadevan Nair, whose deep passion and lifelong work with banana diversity inspired everyone present. He shared his journey, cultural associations of bananas across regions, and practical insights into cultivation, propagation, and managing diverse varieties in a sustainable way.

The session explored the many dimensions of bananas, from their nutritional value and health relevance to the wide range of uses from fruit, stem, flower, and leaves. Farmers and growers from Auroville actively participated, asking thoughtful questions on cultivation practices, disease management, and varietal selection, making it a rich and interactive exchange. The gathering concluded with a visit to the banana plantation at Auro Orchard, where participants could observe the diversity and growing systems more closely.

The entire session was recorded and is now on our YouTube. Link is in the bio!

CONSCIOUS TECHNOLOGY LAB UPDATE!

We have installed pump automation for the sump and overhead tank using float sensors and controllers, eliminating water wastage and saving labour through automated motor control.

A LoRa gateway is being reconfigured to restore borewell water metering. We also began troubleshooting the FarmBot offered by Talam to continue hands-on experimentation in the garden.

Read more of what Azhaganandan and team are working on here: https://auroorchard.auroville.org/conscious-technology-lab-update/

[AuroOrchard, Experiments, Research & Education]

🍌 *The World of Bananas*
Diversity, Cultivation and Conservation

Join us for an engaging knowledge-sharing session with Vinod Sahadevan Nair, a dedicated banana cultivator (aka Banana man of India) from Kerala who grows and conserves more than 500 varieties of bananas. His orchard represents an extraordinary range of rare, indigenous and international banana varieties.

The session will explore banana diversity, cultivation practices, propagation methods, managing multiple varieties within limited space, soil health, sustainability, and building resilient and profitable banana farming systems. The gathering will conclude with an open dialogue and Q&A.

Everyone is welcome.

Link to register is in the Bio.

When: 17 February ~. 10am to 12pm
Where: AuroOrchard Farm

For any queries, please contact us on +91 8431764831 (Charan)

Read up about @rawlivingbeing 's personal journey into the relationship with food on our latest blog here: https://auroorchard.auroville.org/eating-for-nourishment-or-habit-a-personal-journey-into-the-relationship-with-food/

Link to the blog also available in Bio.

[AuroOrchard, Volunteer, Health, Research & Education]