Dapala Farm
A Sustainable Technologies Educational Center
E.15014 Laurel Road Elk WA 99009 509-292-0423
We are an intentional community that has created a sustainable Technologies Education Center. Our objective is to help others acquire the skills they desire for self reliant living, evolve beyond market economy dependencies, appreciate the sacredness of all life, and live truly free lives. We teach and live the skills, lifestyle alternatives, and options that can help people actualize self reliance and sustainability. Our programs include workshops and internships in organic gardening, alternative energy and appropriate technology. We also seek members for our community.
Philosophy
Our work is based on the knowledge that we are interconnected with all life. Therefore, it is most important that we learn how to live together on the Earth in cooperation as a sustainable family. Our educational strategies are aimed at the old axiom, "teach a man to fish and you’ll feed him for a lifetime." We believe our educational programs will empower people to do more to help our world.
Programs
We’ve created a unique learning environment and opportunity for students to acquire skills through textbook study, personalized hands-on instruction, and practicum work related to their interests. Our programs include experiential students, apprenticeship, on-site tours, consultations, workshops, networking, support group meetings, community supported agriculture, subscription farming.
Study sessions
Winter Jan-March
Garden planning, landscape and building projects, seed ordering, start seedlings under lights for later greenhouse transplant, start successive plantings of early crops, cold frames and greenhouse work, soil testing, pruning, dormant spray, winter equipment repair.
Spring April-June
Seedling transplant, successive plantings, transplant fruit trees, weeding, mulching, insect control, processing and preserving produce, cover crops, irrigation systems, garden, landscape and building projects.
Summer July-Sept.
Main bulk of harvesting and processing (can, dry, cure, freeze, root cellar) produce stand and marketing, field irrigation, side dress composting, weed and mulching, insect control, seed harvest, transplanting
Fall Oct.- Dec.
Harvest root crops, root cellar, process late produce, prepare beds, recycle soils in greenhouses, winter planting, year-end record keeping.
Click here for curriculum list
Program fees
Includes meals and camping sites
| Exploratory
visits One week advance notice |
1-15 days 15-30 days |
$20 per day $15 per day |
| Month to
month commitments One month advance notice |
1-2 months 3-4 months 5 months or more |
$400 per
month $300 per month $200 per month |
Bunk housing with meals
| Exploratory
visits One week advance notice |
1-15 days 15-30 days |
$30 per day $22 per day |
| Month to
month commitments One month advance notice |
1-2 months 3-4 months 5 months or more |
$600 per
month $450 per month $300 per month |
Private room with meals
| Exploratory
visits One week advance notice |
1-15 days 15-30 days |
$40 per day $30 per day |
| Month to month commitments | 1-2 months 3-4 months 5 months or more |
$800 per
month $600 per month $400 per month |
Children OK with parents exchanging co-op childcare. For each child add 10% to program fees. For information about work/ study positions for those unable to pay fees, send us your personal and work references with correspondence regarding your goals and we’ll dialogue about possible arrangements. Dogs must be kept on runs, no drug or alcohol use is allowed.