Regenerative Farming Tour with Astungkara Way at Subak Uma Lambing

We’re creating an alternative to mass tourism that benefits the local economy, community and ecosystems. Come learn about rice cultivation that combats climate change, feed ducks, plant seeds, pull weeds, and give us a hand with the project of the day

Welcome at the entrance of Subak Uma Lambing and purchasing rice farmer conical hats from the Ibu that runs the farmer supply toko for wearing in the field (cost of hats is included in experience price and guests can take home as a souvenir). Basic Indonesian interaction with Ibu “Om Suastiastu”, “Suksma”.

Identify plants and crops growing in Subak Uma Lambing. Interact with farmers growing ceremonial flowers (bunga paca, bunga mitir), and pick some flowers for offerings.

Using the flowers the guests harvested, prepare offerings with explanations provided by one of our facilitators.

Give offerings and ask permission for entering the field as a guest

Guests are assisted to wear sarongs and sashes. Tri Hita Karena is explained (Balinese foundational philosophy of balance between humans, nature and gods in the context of farming and a brief history of the subak is presented. Guests enter the subak temple to give offerings led by Balinese priests. Guests are led through Balinese hindu ritual and receive holy water and rice blessing. (NOTE: women who are menstruating are not meant to enter the temple but can observe from outside the temple.

Rice planting experience led by local farmer and local Sekolah Subak student

Guests are invited to step into the mud to experience planting rice and to see and learn about other phases in the rice cycle. The focus is on empathy and understanding the realities of rice farmers. Visitors to Bali see the paddies often as their ‘view’ or Instagram subject but may not reflect on the fact that a human hand placed every plant in that vast sea of green into the ground.

Discussion with elder and youth farmers

One of our facilitators and/or Sekolah Subak scholars will explain the history of the subak and the significance of rice cultivation to Balinese culture and ritual. Question and answer time between guests and farmers.

Tour of Community Garden

Explanation of permaculture and regenerative farming principles given by an interactive tour of the Astungkara Way community garden.

Lunch served at the Regenerative Farming Learning Centre

Lunch prepared by the local farmers with some ingredients fresh from the field served on banana leaves. Lunch is enjoyed in a beautiful bamboo shelter with a view of the rice paddies.

Yoga Nidra

The Astungkara Way team and many farmers practice mindfulness by way of lying down and resting after lunch. Guests will be gently led through a simple guided meditation while lying on their backs in our bamboo shelter in Shivasana position and experiencing the moment immersed in nature. This is a deeply restorative practice.

Astungkara Way is a localization movement-building healthier soil and ecosystems by reconnecting humans with nature and the source of the food we eat. We have three main activities to achieve these goals:

1) We offer experiential nature-based courses to international and local learners

2) We are building a network of Regenerative Farming Learning Centres in Bali and engaging with communities that are taking regenerative action on their island.

3) And we are strengthening this network by building a coast-to-coast pilgrimage in Bali called “The Astungkara Trail”.

A life-affirming transition is underway on our planet along with a realization that in order to sustain ourselves and preserve precious ecosystems, humans must reconnect with nature and live more closely to the source of our food. Regenerative farming has entered the mainstream as an essential and integral approach to mitigating climate change and ensuring food security.

We aim to bring more momentum and more energy to this movement by creating a shining example of community interdependence and regeneration of ecosystems starting here in Bali but extending from local to global. This is an all-hands-on-deck moment in the history of our species, and we invite you to join us by contributing what you can both while you’re here in Bali and once you return to your faraway home.

To know more about how you can support our movement please download this PDF document.

Guests are advised to come prepared with a water bottle and sunscreen and to ensure they are well hydrated prior to and during the experience. Flip flops or sandals are suitable footwear for the morning programme as guests will be entering paddies in bare feet. Shorts are suitable attire since participants may enter mud up to mid-shins. A traditional rice farmer hat will be provided as sun protection. The food provided is simple whole food, and mostly vegan. Any food allergies should be reported in the registration form. Facilitators are first aid trained and first aid kits are available should any attention be required in the field for minor injuries. Guests should be reminded that this experience is facilitated by local community members and we keep our numbers small so as not to be an intrusive foreign presence. Our intention is to elevate the status of local farmers and that our engagement with them would contribute to the preservation of their traditions and simple way of life.