Harvesting Workshop
with Zenryu Owatari and Carolynn Barko
Zenryu Owatari grew organic vegetables as a hobby for over 20 years in California, where he was also the head vegan chef at his Zen Buddhist monastery.
He decided to farm full time in 2011 and worked on a large-scale organic farm in Ibaraki Prefecture, specializing in baby salad mix. After the 2011 Fukushima earthquake and nuclear disaster however, Zenryu and his wife, Ava Richardson, evacuated south to Kyoto and started their own farm business. Over the decade they spent in Kyoto they were able to hone the skills for building healthy soil and growing delicious Japanese heirloom veggies. they recently moved to Havelock, Ontario in 2021 and started Hello Farm, a small, organically-grown market garden. They believe strongly in growing and eating wholesome, healthy, local, and safe organic food.
Important Details
When: October 17-19, 2025
Please plan to arrive between 3-5pm on the first day. The retreat will begin with a property orientation at 5:30pm followed by a light supper and the first evening class and will finish after lunch on the final day.
Rates: $276 Non-member / $250 Member
(To find out how to become a member please visit our membership page)
Rates include: Single accommodation and all meals. They do not include instructor fees. Teachers are sharing their experiences within the traditional Buddhist understanding of Dana. To understand more about Dana, please read the following:
What is Dana? Teachers give the teachings of awakening (Dharma) freely so that anyone, no matter their financial means can attend classes. Each time one receives teachings, it is an opportunity to consciously practice generosity. Giving money and other means of support expresses gratitude and support to the teacher and helps to ensure that these teachings continue. Each person receiving Dharma teachings determines the kind and amount of Dāna according to one’s heart and one’s financial means. When deciding how much to offer, one should think about what these teachings mean to you and try to give accordingly. It is recommended that students make an offering of dāna at the beginning of a class or retreat to establish the intention to make the most of this opportunity for one’s own progression and for the benefit of all others.
Deposit: A 50% deposit is required to hold your space upon registration.
Cancellation Policy
All cancellations are subject to a $100 fee, which will support other low-income practitioners through our Practitioner Support Fund.
If cancellation occurs within 14 days of the retreat start date, 50% of the deposit (equivalent to 25% of the total retreat cost) will be forfeited. These funds will be directed to the Uplifted Property Fund to support the Renewal Project.