Dear Eco Caminhos community,
July was a month full of learning, meaningful experiences, and exciting new connections here at Eco Caminhos. We welcomed international students and new volunteers to our permaculture farm, each bringing their own unique perspectives and energy to our community.
Read on to see everything that happened this month!
Check out our Study Abroad program video!
We put together a highlight video of the amazing two-week experience our American students had here on the farm, and it’s now available on YouTube!
Their days were packed with hands-on learning in agroforestry and natural building, plus the Regenerative Atlantic Forest Coffee Innovation Challenge, developed in partnership with UERJ/IPRJ. They also visited Monthal Coffee Farm and the Alto da Figueira Field Station (Projeto Araçá), and hiked to the breathtaking Dragon’s Head Viewpoint, where they experienced the beauty of the Atlantic Forest up close.
Watch the video and relive some of the best moments from this unforgettable exchange program:
What’s New in the Ecolibrium Garden?
The creative minds behind this transformation were Eduardo, one of our agroforestry specialists, and Olivier, a French volunteer with a passion for gardening. Together, they designed and created a beautiful new garden in the hallway outside the Ecolibrium rooms, bringing more greenery, beauty, and a stronger connection with nature to the space.
They carefully selected aromatic herbs, culinary plants, and flowers that not only brighten the area but also fill it with wonderful natural scents.
Everyone at Eco Caminhos and the Ecolibrium community is incredibly grateful for your hard work. Thank you!
Watch the video below and check out some of the best moments from this unforgettable journey.
Visitors from Germany Experience Permaculture in the Mountains of Nova Friburgo
Silke and Lore, a mother and daughter from Germany, chose Eco Caminhos as the perfect getaway for their vacation—and experienced so much more than just a trip.
Between peaceful moments in the Atlantic Forest, learning about natural building and agroforestry, they discovered a more sustainable and mindful way of living. They also joined Portuguese classes, connecting even more deeply with Brazilian culture, and participated in our workshops, hikes, and farm tours.
We’re sure they’ll return home with wonderful memories, new knowledge, and lasting friendships.
It was a pleasure having you both at our eco farm!
From Ancient China to South American Traditions: A Month of Hands-On Workshops
This month, our volunteers explored art, culture, and tradition in many different forms.
We began with ancient China through a Ving Tsun self-defense workshop, where volunteers learned practical techniques, movements, and strategies for handling emergency situations. It was both educational and a lot of fun!
Next came a Brazilian classic: pão de queijo! Guided by one of our talented Uruguayan volunteers and made with high-quality ingredients, the result was absolutely delicious.
To wrap up July, we hosted a workshop all about mate. Volunteers learned how to prepare their own chimarrão while discovering the history, different types of mate, and the traditions surrounding this iconic drink that has won the hearts of people across southern Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay,and even Rio de Janeiro, just like the volunteer who led the workshop!
Three New Volunteers, Three Different Cultures, One Amazing Community
A photographer from Rio de Janeiro, an engineer from southern Brazil, and a German chiropractor and personal trainer with roots in Pernambuco—Gabriela, Sérgio, and Anderson—joined our permaculture farm this month.
We even had a friendly competition to see who had the longest journey to get here. The winner? Anderson, after an incredible 42-hour bus ride!
Besides bringing flutes, bowls, and mate gourds, each of them also arrived with lots of enthusiasm, positive energy, and a willingness to contribute.
We’re excited to have you here and hope your time with us is both enjoyable and enriching.
Welcome to Eco Caminhos!
Join Our Kitchen Team and Live a More Sustainable Lifestyle!
We’re looking for someone to join our permaculture farm, helping with cooking and housekeeping while creating a warm and welcoming experience for our residents, volunteers, and visitors.
This is more than just a job—we’re looking for someone who is organized, responsible, committed, and excited to be part of a community connected to nature, sustainability, and shared living.
If you enjoy preparing homemade meals, paying attention to the little details, and want your work to make a meaningful difference every day, we’d love to hear from you!
📍 Location: Cardinot, Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
📩 Apply by sending your résumé and a short text explaining why you’d like to work with us to:
experience@ecocaminhos.com
Come be part of our team!
July was a month filled with new connections, cultural exchange, and plenty of learning here at Eco Caminhos.
We can’t wait to share many more stories and experiences with you in the months ahead!
Written by Camila Prado.
Explore more and stay connected with Eco Caminhos
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