Jampaling Buddhist Center, Bawnboy, Co. Cavan

I worked for 2 weeks at the Jampaling Buddhist Center as a wwoofer, or world-wide opportunities for organic farming. I joined this organization before I left: it costs $30 per year and it gives you access to organic farmers all over the world who are interested in having you work for them in exchange for room and board. This was a great opportunity to work in an organic garden in a part of Ireland that most would never find themselves. The Center is a former manor home and estates which the owner, Marjorie, has donated as a Buddhist retreat and learning center. She is now a Buddhist nun and shares responsibility of running the center with Rinpoche, a Tibetan monk aged 75. Together, they also sponsor a Buddhist Center in Ulanbator, Mongolia where they fund the training of young Mongolian monks and also support a garden project.

My job was to harvest what summer veggies were still available and get the rest of the beds ready for winter. The garden was lovely, about 1 1/2 acres, but not all were planted. Mostly winter veggies were planted: turnips, beets, cabbage, onions, potatoes but also lots of lettuce, spinach, sweet peas, and runner beans. And in the polytunnel (necessary in very rainy Ireland) were 3 types of tomatoes, more lettuces, cucumbers, and herbs.

I lived in the women´s dorm with Katrina from Belfast who was spending a month at the Center doing a retreat. Two young women, Bonnie from Ireland and Anna from Poland, resided at the Center and provided cooking and cleaning of the center. Others drifted in and out either working or doing meditative retreats. The area was beautiful! Above is a photo of the lake to the rear of the grounds and the view of the mountains.

The weather held and I had 2 great weeks for working in a muddy garden. But nights started to get cold and I could see frost on the leaves as I walked to the main house for coffee in the mornings.

While I was at Jampaling, I was able to get a year long visa to stay in Ireland and I also met and made many friends. My plan is to return to Balinamore, the next village from Bawnboy, in Jan. 2008 and continue working at the Jampaling garden. I have set up an internship with Oregon State University students in the Soil Science and Horticulture Dept. in order to have knowledgeable and trained students getting the opportuntiy to work in this potentially very productive garden. There are many other organic farmers in this area of Ireland and I am eager to meet them and also get more training though the local organic agencies.