Sweden | Bhumi's farm

My next destination was a spontaneous volunteering opportunity. After my stay in Kölleröd, I headed north to explore some national parks and experience different landscapes in Sweden. I visited the Brotorpet Nature Reserve, where I went hiking and tried kayaking for the first time. The spot was amazing, with plenty of lakes to explore and a calm atmosphere to enjoy the beauty of Swedish nature.

While staying at the nature reserve, I reached out to a permaculture farm located in the south. I didn’t get an immediate response and had already planned my way back south. Fortunately, I received a last-minute reply and got the chance to help out at Bhumi’s Farm.

I was welcomed by Emilia, the host, and joined by seven other volunteers from different backgrounds. The farm is located in a remote area with only a few neighbors nearby, which I love—completely off the beaten path with nature all around. What’s the farm about? Bhumi’s Farm (Bhumi is, by the way, a cow) is a non-slaughter sanctuary dedicated to sustainable living and animal care. The farm follows principles of non-violence and permaculture, aiming to create a harmonious relationship with nature while providing a forever home for its animal residents, including four horses, three cows, two oxen, and several semi-wild cats. The farm grows food organically, focusing on methods that respect the land and promote long-term environmental health.

With so many animals, the farm requires a lot of care and maintenance. Everyone had shifts to look after the animals (three shifts a day) during the week. In addition to animal care, there were various tasks in the garden and some construction work. My main tasks were in construction, where I helped build new frames for the garden beds, doors, and fences. Besides the farm work, we also had cooking shifts, where everyone took turns preparing dinner. We often had to get creative, using only what we had from the garden and donated food. The meals were delicious, and I learned to appreciate the food even more.

Along with the daily farm life, we were introduced to a permaculture design course. Emilia taught us the fundamentals of sustainable farming practices and how to design our own gardens. We also had some cooking lessons, such as baking bread and making Indian food. For those interested, the farm offered spiritual activities like Kirtan yoga and meditation. I tried Kirtan meditation, which was new to me, and even though I’m not particularly spiritual, I enjoyed the experience.

During our two days off, we explored nearby hiking trails, enjoyed a delicious cake at a Swedish coffee house, played games, brushed the cows, and had bonfires in the evenings. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed my two-week stay at the farm. Unfortunately, it couldn’t be longer, as I had already booked my ferry weeks in advance.

Thanks for having me, Emilia, Finja, Malin, Erik, Fabian, Veronica, Yfke, Sean, Noora, and Hendrik.