The Study of Inner and Outer Ecology

The Twining Vines program gives students an immersive experience to explore the vital connection between the inner and outer ecologies. Participants learn how to grow food organically, foster healthy community, and develop insight and resilience through daily contemplative practice.

Twining vines offers full season residential apprenticeships May – Oct, and short season part time summer internships Jun – Sept. Our weekly schedule includes hands on daily hands on market garden practice, meditation & mindfulness, farmer’s market training, classes, group discussions and community events. The 26-week curriculum includes weekly classes on growing food organically, contemplative practice, community development, and Buddhist insight into the interconnections between nature and human consciousness. Students are encouraged to supplement with readings and assignments based on their interests. The season culminates in student presentations of a community project proposal that integrates the season’s experience.

Twining Vines is a new project launched in collaboration between Horton Road Organic farm training young farmers since 1997 and Empty Field/ Zen West a nonprofit Zen Buddhist center emphasizing environmental awareness and responsibility for the Earth.