Organic no till market garden on 500 acres in a Buddhist hermitage in the Catskill Mountains
New York
Welcome to our sanctuary, dear WWOOFers. I'm Lama Dragpa, and here at our hermitage, we embrace the tranquil rhythms of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, particularly the Nyingma Dudjom lineage. Nestled amidst the serene expanse of the Catskill mountains, our 500-acre haven beckons those seeking solace and connection with nature.
Our cornerstone is our organic, no-till market garden, a labor of love awaiting your gentle touch. Here, amidst the meadows and forest, we cultivate not just vegetables, but also a sense of community and spiritual growth. Our community is home to a diverse assembly of spiritual practitioners, with our revered head teacher, Ven. Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche, gracing us with his wisdom and presence. His teachings illuminate our path as we strive to embody Bodhichitta, the compassionate heart of Buddhism, extending harmony and goodwill to all beings.
Our veggie garden and greenhouse stand as a tangible expression of this ethos, inviting you to join us in nurturing its bounty. Beyond tending to the land, we offer a spectrum of meditation retreats and Dharma study programs, enriching experiences that delve deeper into the teachings of our tradition.
Come, be part of our mandala, where nature's beauty intertwines with spiritual enlightenment. Join us in our shared journey of growth and compassion, as we cultivate not only vegetables but also a sense of belonging and purpose.
Depending on the season, we are usually looking for volunteers to fill two primary roles: 1. Veggie Garden Lead and 2. Veggie Garden Assistant. In the summer we often have a volunteer Permaculture Lead who helps us with design and overall operations.
Some activities include:
- Crop planning and Bed design
- Raised Bed prep
- sewing
- cultivation and daily harvesting
- Greenhouse Management and repairs
Our center offers 3 Lacto-ovo vegetarian meals per day in our Community hall dining area.
Accommodations options are shared dorms or if someone prefers it a bit more wild, the option to tent on our 500 acres.
This is a unique opportunity for someone with a passion for regenerative agriculture AND spiritual interests. Whether one is interesting in learning Tibetan Buddhism or has an established practice, this is a rare opportunity to have exposure, access and meditation interviews with a Tibetan Dzogchen Master while having the connection of a lively spiritual community.
We have daily evening group meditations and chanting that guests may attend.
In addition to helping in the veggie garden, there are also opportunities for helping with odd jobs, light construction, landscaping, and various kitchen responsibilities.
Some common hobbies include hiking the trails on our 500 acre property, bird watching, mediating in the forest, biking, and exploring nearby swimming holes.
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Flower farming
Methods or systems
No-till farming
Permaculture
Regenerative agriculture
Host type
Nonprofit / Community
202.3
Hectares
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500
Acres
Dragpa
Member since 2024
Languages spoken:
English
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 100%
Response time: typically within 2 days
New York
Oneonta, New York
Reviews
Miranda
United States
•
October 2025
WWOOFing here was incredibly rewarding and an amazing experience for my first time WOOFing. It was a perfect blend of time farming/gardening and being welcomed into a peaceful community. The view of the mountains from the grounds was just as lovely as the gardens themselves: dotted with marigolds and filled with a variety of vegetables, mushrooms, and more. I got to get my hands dirty, but the pace was also relaxed. As someone who had little background to Tibetan Buddhism, Lama Dragpa and everyone at the center were very welcoming. I was able to attend evening practice at the temple whenever I liked, and loved getting to meet others at the center aside from the other WWOOFer. I couldn't recommend WOOFing here more - it made such an impact on me as a gardener and person. I'm incredibly grateful for the comfortable dorm, tasty homecooked meals, kindness of everyone I met, charming gardens, and inner peace I had from staying here.
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Julia
United States
•
October 2025
My time at PSL was a truly wonderful experience. The community is so warm, friendly and inviting. The land brought this sense of peace that felt safe to settle into. I was originally supposed to stay for 3 weeks, but I got to extend my stay another week because I didn't want to leave! The garden is beautiful - I had no gardening experience before I came and that was not a problem. There are other ways to support the center so I was able to help cook in the kitchen & clean up as part of my service, so it was nice that there was some variety! I highly recommend PSL for any WWOOFers, especially first-time WWOOFers. PSL is now a second home to me, thank you so much for the unforgettable experience!!!
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Laurel
United States
•
October 2025
I spent a month here from the end of July to the end of August. I wish I had more time and hope to return someday soon. This is an amazing heart opening place, from the welcoming and kind people to the organic vegetable and herb gardens to the sacredness of the land itself. There is so much to learn here: How to take care of the gardens, identifying wild edibles, attending the (optional) daily Tibetan Buddhist practice, learning how to incorporate the fresh garden produce into communal meals. Other highlights included mushroom hunting and a lesson in tree pruning. All the produce from the gardens goes to the Center’s kitchen for meals. This place is community living in the best of ways. The days are full and busy. The nights are peaceful and quiet. I got to do a lot of vegan cooking in addition to helping with the garden. I met so many people from all walks of life and ages, many of whom I am still in touch with. There are shelves of books on Buddhism to read if you’d like, and Lamas to have discussions with, if you’re so inclined. There were new people coming through the Center during the time I was there for retreats or celebrations, which made for interesting conversations. There’s plenty to do garden wise and cooking wise (and landscaping too if you’re up for it) and felt my efforts were appreciated. They are welcoming to both beginner and experienced WOOFers. It’s just a magical, sacred place and there’s so much more I could say but go see for yourself!!
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Meredith
United States
•
September 2025
I had the most wonderful experience at PSL! I spent 3 weeks there in August, and there was plenty to do in the garden. I picked green beans, tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, onions, and so much more. I also planted berry bushes, built a fence, weed- wacked, watered, and so much more.
The garden was amazing, but the very best part of my experience was getting to know such wonderful and kind people! I felt so welcomed and loved from the moment I arrived. Everyone was so generous with their time and wisdom - always patiently answering my many questions about Buddhism. It really is a very special place with very special people, and I will always cherish my time there!
Thank you so much, PSL family! I love you all very much!
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Shannon
United States
•
September 2025
The time I spent here will be one of my most treasured experiences. I am beyond grateful for all of the unique and kind people I had the opportunity to meet. They each made a lasting impression on me and have genuinely changed my life. I came in knowing nothing about Buddhism and left with such a strong appreciation for it.
I spent the first week working with the garden lead where he guided me through his routine with the plants, chatted about life, then spent time weeding, planting, watering, and harvesting. The following week he was out of town so I was in charge of the garden solo. The garden is incredibly well taken care of and supplies the center with lots of fresh food! I got to harvest potatoes, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, and green beans. We also started some prep for produce later in the fall and for next spring.
The work day structure was from 9-12, break for lunch, then start back up from 2-5. You get Sundays off but you may still need to water a bit depending on the weather and how many people are working alongside you. There's also opportunities to explore tasks beyond the garden if that interests you! I wished I had could have spent more time there but due to personal time commitments I couldn't.
Could not recommend this place enough and wish nothing but the best for all of the people I met while I was there!
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Priyanka
United States
•
July 2025
wow! I was so lucky end up here for my first WWOOF experience. What a beautiful sangha! As a first timer, I struggled and made plenty of mistakes, but everyone here was so kind, helpful, and patient with me as I learned. I actually felt happy to contribute to this center and enthusiastically took on many other projects. They really foster a wonderful community. The beautiful landscapes, peaceful (gompa) temple, and the knowledge and guidance of the lamas on my spiritual path was an added bonus. A month flew by so easily, and this experience will hold a special place in my heart forever,
If you're nervous total newbie like me, this is the perfect community to help you learn about farming!
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