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
Learning from the Land | 14–16 August | Auroville
A 3 three-day workshop exploring ecological restoration, regenerative farming, food systems, and practical approaches to designing with nature.
The workshop takes place across two of Auroville’s long-standing landscapes—Pebble Garden and AuroOrchard—offering participants an opportunity to learn from decades of hands-on experience while spending time working on the land.
Topics
• The story of ecological restoration at Pebble Garden
• Integral agriculture: soil, food, and the inner life
• Systems thinking and permaculture design
• Food, health, and agriculture
• Seed saving and seed diversity
• Practical sessions on composting, vegetable beds, and fruit polyorchards
Facilitators
Deepika & Bernard, Anshul, Rahul Tola, Charan
Dates: 14–16 August
Venue: Pebble Garden & AuroOrchard, Auroville
Fee: ₹5,000 (Inclusive of 18% GST)
The fee includes breakfast (15–16 August), lunch on all three days, and travel between the two venues.
Participation is limited to 15 people.
To register, scan the QR code in the final slide or click on link in bio.
For enquiries:
auroorchard@auroville.org.in
Rahul: 91061 45402
Charan: 84317 64831
How to deal with the weeds organically.
At AuroOrchard farm, we are committed to producing and providing the best quality food in a sustainable manner while reducing human suffering as much as possible.
#organicfarming #farmerlife #organicproduce
Surrounded by Mangoes at the farm 🥭
#farming #farmerlife #mangoseason
It was a delight to host Rahul Tola for an insightful two-hour workshop, "Thinking Like an Ecosystem." : From Metacrisis to Regeneration
The session offered participants a fresh perspective on the interconnected ecological, social, and economic challenges of our time through the lens of whole systems thinking. Drawing inspiration from nature and the principles of permaculture, Rahul invited us to think like an ecosystem, seeing relationships, patterns, resilience, and interconnectedness as the foundation for regenerative design.
Through interactive discussions and reflection, the session encouraged participants to see the world through a systems lens, drawing inspiration from ecosystems to better understand complexity, resilience, and regeneration.
Thank you, Rahul, for facilitating such a thought-provoking and engaging learning experience, and to everyone who joined us for an afternoon of shared learning and meaningful conversations.
The human body is a remarkable living system. Every moment, it regulates temperature, repairs damaged tissues, replaces worn-out cells, fights infection, adapts to physical and emotional demands, and works continuously to maintain internal balance. These processes take place quietly and automatically, often without our awareness.
In this interactive workshop, we'll explore the body's remarkable capacity to maintain health, adapt, and heal. Together, we'll discover how the human body functions, the conditions that support its natural processes, and how a deeper understanding of the body can help us make more informed choices for our health and well-being.
*About the facilitator*
Charan is a researcher with a deep interest in understanding the human body, health, and natural ways of healing. Over the past several years, he has been exploring the principles of Natural Hygiene, nutrition, the practice of fasting, and the body's natural processes of health and healing. He has also been following a fruit-based diet for over four years as part of his ongoing journey of inquiry and observation.
_Limited spots available. Contribution based._
*Registration (Mandatory) Link in bio:*
https://forms.gle/XtysP8Eef3hQk2n37
*Location:*
https://maps.app.goo.gl/FpRuKH5bfBurmsQL7
*Contact:*
Charan: +91 8431764831
Join us for an interactive session exploring how nature can help us understand the interconnected ecological, social, and economic challenges of our time. Together, we'll learn how ecosystems function, what makes them resilient, and how whole systems thinking and permaculture can help us see patterns, relationships, and practical ways to design more regenerative landscapes, communities, organizations, and everyday life. Through discussion, observation, reflection, and simple design activities, this session offers a fresh way of understanding complexity and learning from nature. No prior experience is needed.
*4th July 2026 | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Saturday)*
*About the facilitator*
*Rahul Tola* is a permaculture practitioner and regenerative design educator with a deep interest in ecology, whole systems thinking, and community learning. Over the years, he has studied and worked with regenerative farms and learning communities across India, including Auroville, Avani Bioenergy, and Varanashi Organic Farms. Drawing from his experience in permaculture, systems thinking, regenerative agriculture, and experiential education, Rahul facilitates engaging learning spaces that help people see connections, understand complexity, and explore practical ways of designing more resilient and regenerative lives.
_Limited spots available. Contribution based._
*Registration (Mandatory):*
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.
