Bamboo Building and Regenerative Agriculture

Los Albeleros farm has my whole entire heart. The place, the people, and the work are absolutely incredible. I have never laughed and smiled more in my life, all the while doing environmental and community work that truly felt meaningful and impactful. A month later and I’m still feeling so full of inspiration, hope, and love. We worked hard and saw our work really translate, but the work never felt like work. I looked forward to waking up every single morning to the sounds of the jungle and music and dancing. The experience we all had was life changing, I am so grateful for Lucas and the RFI!

My experience with Regeneration Field Institute is so positive. I've been lucky enough to travel twice there and reconnect with the locals of Chone and Bahia De Caraquez. The location of Chone is truly jaw droppingly beautiful. You are surrounded by miles of stunning wilderness. The sunsets fill the sky with amazing colors each evening as we all eat the delicious meals the cooks prepare us. While touring the expansive farm, we got multiple sightings of howler monkeys and other species of animals you'd never see in the US. There is so much care in the work they do at Los Arboleros Farm. We were surrounded by passionate mentors who were inspiring and so enjoyable to be around. They taught us about solutions to erosion, deforestation, growing healthy soil, and the amazing capabilities of nature. We met a passionate lander conserver called Luis and his friends from a northern region of Ecuador that speak an indigenous language. Learning about other cultures is so important to lower the barrier of ignorance and I believe this experience opened so many eyes to the possibilities beyond where they live in Marin County. This experience brought us together and we continued to make connections when we arrived home too. Many started going to the beach, driving before school to see the sunrise and be in nature. I couldn't recommend this program more, it has filled my life with hope and I have so love for Ecuador. Don't miss this life changing opportunity.

This trip was definitely a once in a lifetime experience! The bonds i made with every single person there, including the amazing staff, are definitely going to be ones that i keep for a lifetime! The staff was so amazing, as well as the farm. Working on the farm was also an amazing experience, from building with bamboo to planting in the syntropics, it was hard work but so rewarding. We also had the chance to visit the beach and the local town. The building we stayed in was so beautiful, and the meals were so good, thanks to the amazing cooks. Definitely the best part of my year so far, and I would do it again in a heart beat!!

This place is crazy amazing. Everything was so special, and even though we just spent a little more then a week at the farm I feel like I have a new perspective and mindset integrated into my life. The people, the work, and the farm are all spectacular. The everyday routine was a perfect balance, and the food was delicious. Our group of students became incredibly close during our trip and it’s carried over into our life back at home. Overall, it was such a freeing experience and I could go on forever about how positive my trip was. I am so thankful that I was able to go on this trip and I can’t wait to go back!!

I can say without hesitation that my week on the farm with the RFI program was the best week of my life. Being immersed into nature and learning about the environment and what we can do to save it has been such an eye-opening experience. I'm so grateful that I got to create such meaningful relationships with not only the people I went with, but the staff as well. The staff are some of the most down-to-earth, supportive, inspiring people I've ever met and creating that sense of family was life changing. We also got to have hands-on experience with bamboo architecture and it was incredible to know that we were able to contribute to that community by actually building something with our own two hands. I learned so much more here than I expected, and gained so many new memories and friendships that I'll hold in my heart for the rest of my life. I hope everyone gets to experience this, so if you have the opportunity to go, then go! It's a journey you'll never forget :)

It’s an experience that’s truly difficult to put into words how impactful it is. I was able to meet a ton of new amazing people, work on projects that I was passionate about and learn so much about sustainability. The amount we learned about bamboo architecture is amazing. Learning about new, regenerative techniques for farming was fascinating to me as well. All the mentors we interacted with were great and supportive, i learned a lot from them but it was also nice to just be able to hanger out as people at the end of the day. It’s a life changing experience that everyone who can should try to do.

Regeneration Field Institute is an incredible organization and this program is truly worthwhile and life changing. Through bamboo construction and agroforestry, engaging discussions, and even daily interactions, the trip gave me hope that a regenerative future is possible. You join a tight knit community of passionate environmental leaders, gain unforgettable fun memories, and experience the beautiful unique sights and foods of Ecuador. Don’t hesitate! Just go! It was the best choice I ever made

This experience was genuinely life changing. I had the opportunity to engage with farming and construction for the first time, while immersing in a new culture. I carry the lessons I learned with me every day, and the program sparked new passions. The staff are so supportive and passionate about sharing their interests, and everyone you interact with is so friendly. The program allowed me to experience both classroom and real-world learning and was so educational. It was allowed for plenty of leisure time exploring beautiful coastal Ecuador! I wholeheartedly recommend this program.