Farm Volunteering in the KZN Midlands: Our Food Garden Programme

The Old Mushroom Farm
6 hours ago
3 min read

A farm stay and volunteering opportunity at The Old Mushroom Farm. Live on an active smallholding while exploring one of South Africa’s most scenic regions.

Travel the KZN Midlands a little differently. We’re offering enthusiastic volunteers a chance to experience the KZN Midlands beyond the usual tourist route. Our Food Garden Volunteer Programme combines a farm stay, flexible garden work, and plenty of free time to explore. Ideal for travellers looking for an immersive travel experience.

Our Food Garden Volunteer Programme offers local and international explorers with some gardening skill a chance to experience The Old Mushroom Farm and beyond over a short visit.

For those who don't know us (yet), The Old Mushroom Farm is on the Midlands Meander Route, and an easy countryside stop between Durban and the Drakensberg, well suited to travellers road-tripping through South Africa at a slower pace. The farm, as the name suggests, was once used to farm mushrooms. The old agricultural buildings have been reimagined through modern architecture. Today, The Old Mushroom Farm is a creative village—home to:

The programme is centred around our Community Food Garden, a shared, food-focused green space that supplements fresh produce for Old Mushroom Farm guests, staff and the wider community. Volunteers will contribute to tending the garden, keeping it productive and tidy.

We invite individuals, couples and groups of volunteers to join us for mid-week sessions (Mondays to Thursdays). You’ll stay in our new Boutique Apartments; fully furnished for self catering, perfect for a countryside escape. The spacious open-plan kitchen, dining room and lounge may be shared with other volunteers. While meals aren’t provided, you’ll have your own equipped kitchen and braai.

The Old Mushroom Farm is a great base for discovering the surrounding Kwa Zulu-Natal Midlands tourist attractions, nature reserves and cultural sights. It’s worth noting that the farm is 6km from the nearest town, Howick. We’d recommend that travellers have their own car, especially if you’re stopping at The Old Mushroom Farm as part of a longer South African road trip. There are work-arounds, however. There is plenty to do and see on the Old Mushroom Farm, and very doable to stay here for all four days. There are also reliable taxi drivers we can put you in touch with if you need an airport shuttle or similar.

We ask for 16 hours of garden work over four days, with flexible scheduling. You can work half days and enjoy free afternoons, or work two full days and take the rest off — it’s up to you, as long as you communicate with us clearly.

Tasks vary depending on the season and may include weeding, planting seedlings, mulching, watering, harvesting fruit and veg, research & troubleshooting, and general garden care.

Travellers who are happy working independently, enjoy being outdoors, and are able to structure their own time without micromanagement would be a good fit. There’s guidance when you need it, but we rely on volunteers who are proactive and accountable.

What we request:

16 hours of garden work over four days.

What you get:

Free accommodation in our self-catering Boutique Apartments with reliable amenities including bedding, and WiFi. Meals are not provided.

As our guest, you are welcome to harvest fresh produce from the garden to supplement your meals. We strongly advise against relying solely on the veggie garden for food as harvests can be sporadic.

Reasons to volunteer:

Live on a vibrant, active smallholding, rather than visiting as a tourist.
Share everyday farm life with people who live and work here.
Get to know the rhythms of the South African seasons and the local flora.
An authentic way to connect with food, place, and local people.

If you’re keen on a hands-on travel experience that combines rural South African living with meaningful work (and plenty of downtime), we’d love to hear from you. To apply or ask questions, please complete the linked application form.

Or check out our profile on Worldpackers, an online platform safely linking hosts to volunteers around the world.

We look forward to meeting you!