Influenced by revolutionaries such as Masanobu Fukuoka, father of natural farming and a strong advocate of an aesthetic and spiritual approach to life wherein the ultimate goal was “the cultivation and perfection of human beings”, the farm became the heart and center for The Shilaroo Project. Invigorated by this idea, the project, which includes a farm alongside the pottery and yoga studios, was developed over a period of six years. The space is designed for community engagement and experiential learning. By following and teaching fundamental practices of yoga, pottery and natural farming the practices the project seeks to become a place where living and learning are complementary processes.

To actualize these ideas we aim to build a community based on ideas of explorations for sustainable solutions through collaborations. Towards this end, we have created a congenial and radical atmosphere for artistic explorations, conversations, and creative actions. We are attempting to organize opportunities for teaching and cultural exchange for individuals working in the fields of regenerative systems, conscious living, and art practice.

We are also currently working with the local community, especially women enabling them to- preserve traditional crafts and techniques while becoming financially independent and developing and sharing knowledge on creating self- sustainable farming techniques and systems. Our attempt will be to increase dialogue, understanding, and healing concerning issues of gender, tradition and social enterprise.

Extending the learnings to individuals by conducting workshops for those who wish to acquire experience and knowledge of living sustainable and mindful ways.

Ultimately hoping in part to be the kind of “educational webs which heighten the opportunity for each one to transform each moment of his living into one of learning, sharing, and caring” **Ivan Illich, Deschooling Society

The Shilaroo project emerged out of the desire to create a center for learning facilitating development, exchange, and promotion of knowledge and resources to help in evolving a community based on the fundamental principles of regenerative systems, creative action, and social impact.