Fazenda Cósmica · Amparo, São Paulo, Brazil

Volunteering at the Farm

Four hours of your day, five days a week. In return: a room, food on the table, and a season living on a 19th-century coffee farm two hours from São Paulo — looking after the garden, the animals and the houses alongside people from all over.

Apply to join

Where you'll be

Fazenda Cósmica is 40 hectares of a former 19th-century coffee farm in the countryside of Amparo, in the state of São Paulo. Five kilometres from town, two hours from the city of São Paulo, one hour from Campinas.

There's a waterfall, a creek, a pool, a sauna, a hot tub, open lawns and a walking trail. There's a vegetable garden, dairy cows, horses, chickens and more than thirty kinds of fruit tree. And there's fibre-optic internet everywhere — probably the least likely thing on that list.

We're not a production farm. What we grow here is experience. During the week we host people who come to work remotely surrounded by green; on weekends, people who come to slow down. Through the year we run corporate immersions for up to 24 people, and on some weekends, countryside weddings. Retreats, artist residencies, film shoots and photo sessions pass through too.

The farm is run by Bruno and Bárbara, who live here with their family. Both studied law, lived in São Paulo, Lyon, Berkeley and Berlin, and came back to Brazil in 2016 to build what you see today. Bárbara also runs a small catering kitchen, and together they look after Casa Cósmica, in São Paulo.

It depends on the season and on what the farm needs that week. But it isn't a mystery — we keep the tasks written down, with time and place attached. There are 47 of them on the board right now, and your week comes out of that list.

The work

What you'll actually do

Gardening

Mowing the lawns around the houses, raking, and carrying the cut grass to the vegetable garden. It's the most common job on the farm: twelve different areas, roughly four hours each, once a month per spot. Ant control, tidying the ground cover under the trees, and clearing the trail come with it.

The houses

Cleaning a cabin and changing the bed linen takes about an hour, and happens every week across eleven different houses — Casa Amarela, Casa Verde, Casa Rosa, Capelinha, the Cabana, the suites. It's what makes the farm ready for whoever arrives on Friday.

Maintenance and projects

Fixing, painting, building, organising. Sometimes it's an afternoon sorting out the kiosk; sometimes it's a project that runs for weeks — a new garden bed, an area getting a new life. The farm map we still use was drawn by a volunteer, Rei, back in 2024.

Kitchen and animals

Looking after the chickens, working with what comes out of the garden, and cooking — which here is less a task than the way everyone ends up together.

Events

When there's a wedding or an immersion, the farm changes rhythm. Anyone who wants to be part of it joins the production, and then the shift can run at night.

And none of it is assigned at random: when you arrive, we sit down and talk about what you're good at, what interests you and what you're hoping for — and we build your season around that. Some people end up invited to run a project of their own.

Questions

What everyone asks before coming

How many hours do I work?

Five days a week, four hours a day. Two days off.

What are the shifts?

Morning, 8am to 12pm. Afternoon, 1pm to 5pm. And an evening shift, 7pm to 11pm, only when there's an event.

Will my work be guided?

Yes. There's always a coordinator with you, and the tasks come written down. But initiative goes a long way here — people who arrive and notice what needs doing tend to have the best time.

Do I need to speak Portuguese?

No. Most volunteers arrive speaking English, and the house runs in both languages. If you want to pick up Portuguese while you're here, we'll help — it's one of the best places to do it.

I work online part-time. Can I manage both?

You can, and many do. The coworking space is inside the Tulha, has fibre internet and is free whenever there's no event on. Just agree your shift with us before you arrive so we can fit it around you.

Where you'll live

Where do I stay?

In the Casa Azul — the Blue House, used by volunteers only. It sits right at the entrance of the farm, facing a small lagoon and a waterfall. Three bedrooms, two single beds in each. If you're coming with a friend or a partner you can share; coming alone, you'll either have the room to yourself or share with another volunteer, depending on how full we are.

What does the house have?

A proper kitchen, a living room with an extra sofa bed and tables, a washing machine, and a balcony facing the view — which is where everyone ends up having lunch together on warm days. Bed, sheets, pillow and a clean towel are on us.

Is there a catch?

One, and we'd rather say it upfront: there's a single bathroom for all volunteers. It's the weak point of the house. It works fine as long as nobody takes too long.

Who cleans?

Everyone. Day-to-day upkeep — the bathroom, the kitchen, whatever you used — belongs to whoever used it. Once a week the whole house does a deep clean together.

Food

Do you provide meals?

We buy the house groceries every week, usually Tuesday or Wednesday, and you can ask for what's missing from the list. Breakfast and dinner are each person's own. Lunch is usually cooked for the group by one person at a time — and it's where everyone sits down together.

What if I want something more?

There's the Empório Cósmica, stocked with what comes out of our own kitchen: sourdough bread, cheese, yoghurt, cake, granola, coffee, jam, fresh pasta. You can buy from it.

Free time and community

What is there to do in my free time?

Swim in the pool, sit by the waterfall, read under a tree, walk the trail, build a campfire in the evening — always in a group and with care. Plenty of people use the free half of the day to work online, and the towns around here are worth exploring.

Are the sauna and hot tub included?

No. They're part of our spa area, they need to be booked, and they're paid — volunteers get a discount. The pool, the waterfall and the trail are free.

Who will I meet?

The core team, people from Amparo who work here, other volunteers from various countries, and the guests passing through. The mood shifts with the season and with who's in the house: some weeks are quiet, some are full.

Can I bring my dog?

Sadly not. The farm already has its own animals wandering about.

What to pack

What clothes should I bring?

Comfortable things for working outdoors that you don't mind getting dirty. A hat or cap and sunglasses. A warm jumper or jacket — the nights get cold. Rain gear, especially in the wet season. A swimsuit. And something darker, or black, for our community events.

And shoes?

Closed shoes or boots for work, sandals or flip-flops for the rest.

What else shouldn't I forget?

An extra towel, shampoo, soap, toothpaste — biodegradable if you can. Sunscreen and mosquito repellent. And any medication you take regularly, since the pharmacy is in town.

This is here because it's better to know now than to find out in your second week.

Before you apply

What this place is not

There is no mobile signal

None. The Wi-Fi is good and reaches everywhere, but step outside it and you're offline.

The power goes out

Usually back within four hours. If you can't live without guaranteed internet or electricity, this isn't the right place — and that's fine.

This is real countryside

There are spiders, scorpions and snakes, some venomous. The house rule is simple: shake out your shoes before putting them on, shake out your bedding, close the windows at dusk. And if something bites or stings you, tell us straight away.

It isn't a farm hotel, and it isn't a holiday

It's four hours of real work a day, and some weeks are heavier than others — that's what living on a farm that also hosts people means.

What isn't negotiable

This applies to everyone who passes through, without exception and without a second chance.

No form of discrimination is tolerated — racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism. Physical or verbal aggression means immediate removal. Harassment: zero tolerance. If something happens, tell us straight away.

Illegal drugs are not allowed. Alcohol, in moderation and with care. Smoking only in the open air, never inside any building.

And after 10pm, quiet please: sound travels in the valley, and most of us are up early.

Why we run this program

Worth saying plainly, because it changes what you can expect from the place.

We love having different people around — hearing stories, learning together, being inspired by whoever turns up. Volunteers bring fresh energy to the farm, and it's a joy to watch each person leave their own mark on the place.

The program does help us handle the day-to-day. But it's really about something bigger: community, collaboration, and the belief that a different way of living is possible — somewhere between city and countryside, between solitude and togetherness.

We hope your time here brings you clarity, inspiration, and maybe even a nudge toward the next chapter of your life. And we're grateful to walk a little of that path with you.

People who've been here

Reviews written by volunteers on Worldpackers and Workaway, unedited.

It's impossible that a great place like this and awesome people not make you have a great experience! Having time for myself and learning good things while working at a super chill vibe was great! Already miss you guys and the waterfalls 🤗🤗
Nathalia
Worldpackers · 2018
Minha experiência fazendo voluntariado na Fazenda Cósmica foi a minha primeira, e não poderia ter sido uma introdução melhor. Realmente colocou o patamar bem alto para tudo que possa vir a seguir. Desde o momento em que cheguei, fui recebido por um grupo de pessoas gentis e interessantes. O senso de comunidade lá é algo especial. Não se trata apenas de trabalhar juntos, mas também de compartilhar momentos, aprender uns com os outros e construir conexões reais. O lugar em si parece um pequeno paraíso.
emma
Worldpackers · 2026
Minha experiência na Fazenda Cósmica foi muuuito positiva. Além do espaço ser maravilhoso, das tarefas serem bem definidas e as horas de trabalho respeitadas, o nosso grupo de voluntários era muito legal, me senti em casa, em família. A fazenda é linda e a casa dos voluntários tem uma vista incrível, tem cachoeiras na propriedade e pode-se aprender muito com as tarefas. Obrigado Bárbara, Bruno e Débora pela experiência, vou sentir saudade! 🥰
Rafael
Worldpackers · 2024
Qd estava quase desanimando de viajar voluntariando, me surge esse lugar maravilhoso!! Mts cachoeiras perto!! Existe uma casa apenas para os voluntários. E tb existe a Débora, que arrasa na organização do trabalho dos voluntários. Os donos da propriedade ofereceram refeição no horário trabalhado. Muito amigáveis. Sem contar que estar rodeada de chefs de cozinha é um máximo, pois podemos aprender ideias culinárias especiais!! Tarefas simples e bem explicadas! 4h é excelente para quem quer colaborar, mas tb poder aproveitar!! Já quero voltar!! Gratidão imensaaaa!!
Polyana
Worldpackers · 2023
A FSE foi minha 1a experiência de voluntário via Worldpackers e não teria melhor lugar para começar: um espaço familiar que desperta inspiração, me trouxe muitos insights e tempo para crescer pessoalmente. Uma fazenda dá MUITO trabalho, e é importante a gente não querer controlar o ambiente e resolver tudo, tendo paciência, seguindo o fluxo natural das coisas, entendendo o tempo do outro, o que pra mim foi um grande desafio já que fui gestora por muitos anos. Fiz grandes amigos, fui tratada com muito carinho e tenho certeza que pude deixar minha marca, assim como carrego a de cada um comigo!
Amanda
Worldpackers · 2021
Destaco por sobre todo el trato humano de la Fazenda Cósmica, los dueños permiten sentirte como un invitado más de la casa, además de los encargados de los voluntarios, Alex muy cercano y preocupado por su equipo, logró que realizáramos un trabajo desafiante pero con cariño, y Debo que también se interesó por nosotros y compartir en el diario vivir. El lugar es muy tranquilo, adentrado en el campo, puedes desconectarte y relajarte en la naturaleza y las cómodas instalaciones de la hacienda. También, con la disposición necesaria, se puede aprender mucho en la cocina.
Pablo
Worldpackers · 2023