HOME STAY AT AN ORGANIC FARM
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The Living Journey

20 Years of Soil, 12 Years of Hospitality & Proven Reverse Migration

In 2007, we chose to step away from 22 years of corporate advertising in Mumbai. What began as an urgent, honest search for peace on neglected ancestral laterite land in Phungus has evolved into a 20-acre living sanctuary for conscious living. We started with untamed, rocky soil that was not friendly to conventional farming—the only land we had.

“The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings.”

— Fukuoka Masanobu, The Natural Farming Expert

Over these twenty years, farming has ceased to be an occupation—it has become a rigorous journey of learning the art and science of knowing soil, people, crops, food, work, and life itself.

For those who harbor a quiet longing for a life anchored in the land, our story stands as grounded proof: Reverse migration is not a romantic weekend fantasy—it is a viable, dignified, and deeply rewarding way of life.

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Konkan soil and farmland

Airwaves & Conversations

Documentaries, Long-Form Podcasts, and Dialogues on Soil, Food & Conscious Living

GROWW Documentary
‘How they made it’ by GROWW • 2025

We Left The City For This Life

Why two middle-class Mumbaikars gave up senior advertising careers for slow living, building Farm of Happiness from scratch with no farming background, and what quitting the city really costs.

Root Cause Podcast
Root Cause Podcast • Swapnil Rao (2026)

From City Chaos to Farm of Happiness

In this episode with Swapnil Rao and Mrunmayee Deshpande, Rahul and Sampada share their move away from urban speed toward 'अन्नभान' (food consciousness), regenerative farming, and living with care.

Kurious Kale
Kurious Kale • Episode 01 by Navin Kale (2026)

An Unfiltered Dialogue with Navin Kale

A candid conversation on finding the true essence of natural farming and agro-tourism beyond buzzwords, navigating early mistakes, and creating a life that deepens your humanity.

Dr Anand Nadkarni
IPH 'Vedh' Series • Dr. Anand Nadkarni (2023)

A Reflective Dialogue with Dr. Anand Nadkarni

Renowned Psychiatrist, Author, and Founder of IPH, Dr. Anand Nadkarni opens a thought-provoking conversation dissecting the psychological conviction behind walking away from corporate comfort.

Swayam Talks Nashik
Swayam Talks (Nashik) • Rahul Kulkarni (2017)

Connecting to Soil: Rahul's Address at Swayam Talks

Rahul shares the stage at Swayam Talks Nashik, articulating the internal transition from advertising leadership to agriculture, re-anchoring to roots, and redefining authentic happiness.

Dr Uday Nirgudkar
Swayam Talks • Dr. Uday Nirgudkar (2017)

Interview by Senior Editor Dr. Uday Nirgudkar

Veteran journalist and author Dr. Uday Nirgudkar conducts an incisive interview on the socio-economic realities of rural relocation and building an ethical agro-tourism model.

Rajendra Bhat
Nisarg Mitra Farm • Krushi Bhushan Rajendra Bhat (2024)

The Philosophy of Growing Food & Reverse Migration

Award-winning organic farmer and permaculture pioneer Rajendra Bhat joins Rahul and Sampada in a dialogue exploring soil biology, ethics, and the spiritual act of food growing.

The Better India
The Better India • Grassroots Inspiration (2022)

A Mumbai Couple’s Sustainable Konkan Oasis

The premier positive news platform highlights how an advertising creative director and actor-writer transformed 20 acres of laterite land into an off-grid ecological haven.

Dil Ke Kareeb
‘Dil Ke Kareeb’ • Sulekha Talwalkar (2020)

Sampada's Journey: Theatre, Kathak & The Farm

In this podcast conversation, popular actress Sulekha Talwalkar speaks with Sampada about her creative evolution across Marathi theatre, dance, writing, and the courageous choice of a life in agriculture.

Agam Aani Aho
‘Agam Aani Aho’ • Sulekha Talwalkar (2024)

Rahul and Sampada: Partnership in an Unconventional Life

Sulekha Talwalkar interviews the couple on the mutual conviction, shared hurdles, and deep partnership required to step away from corporate trajectories and build a sanctuary together.

The Home Ground Pitch Nibandh Kanitkar
The Home Ground Pitch • Nibandh Kanitkar (2021)

Interview by Nibandh Kanitkar of Sangameshwar

Journalist and Anchor Nibandh Kanitkar of Sangameshwar has a heart to heart conversation with Rahul at 'Farm of Happiness' regarding his approach on Reverse Migration, Farming v/s Agri Business, and Rural living.

Doordarshan Sahyadri Beyond Thoughts
Doordarshan Sahyadri • ‘Beyond Thoughts’

Agriculture, Tourism & Joyful Living

In this episode of 'Beyond Thoughts' on Doordarshan Sahyadri, host Rohan Gujar interviews guests Sampada Kulkarni and Rahul Kulkarni, who discuss their journey and philosophy behind combining agriculture with tourism to create joyful experiences for both farmers and visitors.

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In the Press & Print

Documented Across National Dailies, Global Travel Journals, and Agricultural Publications

National Geographic Traveller India front page National Geographic Traveller India story pages
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NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELLER INDIA

Seasons in the Sun

Featured prominently on the cover alongside destinations like Italy and France, this international feature brought global attention to our small organic farm in Ratnagiri, spotlighting our quiet orchards, birdcalls, and farm living as a tactile classroom[cite: 15, 16].

lonely planet
MAGAZINE INDIA
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LONELY PLANET MAGAZINE INDIA

Rustic Break: Ready, Set, Sow! — Complete Feature

Open the complete feature in one PDF, combining all four Lonely Planet documents. The feature documented how two advertising professionals built an agrarian haven that inspires travelers to trade virtual farm games for real soil[cite: 18, 19, 21].

ॲग्रोवन
SAKAL MEDIA GROUP
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DAINIK AGROWON • SAKAL MEDIA GROUP

A Living Paradise on Earth

Maharashtra’s leading agricultural daily celebrated our 20-year transition in a 7-page Diwali feature, validating our regenerative methods, rare heirloom Sonpal red rice cultivation, closed-loop biogas power, and rural employment across 3 villages[cite: 1, 2, 5, 6].

MOTORING
WORLD
🔗 Read Online Article
MOTORING WORLD

Returning Home: Ancestral Roots

A leading automotive publication centered an exclusive road-trip feature around our 'Live Local' philosophy, showcasing handcrafted vernacular architecture, zero-waste cycles, and how reconnecting with nature offers city dwellers a true sense of coming home[cite: 22, 24, 25, 27].

Times of India article scan Farm of Happiness in the Times of India, 15 August 2020
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THE TIMES OF INDIA

From Executive Suites to Konkan Soil

India's leading national daily brought nationwide attention to our deliberate departure from corporate advertising in Mumbai, profiling the farm as grounded proof that reverse migration is a viable, dignified, and rewarding life choice.

CONDÉ NAST
TRAVELLER INDIA
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CONDÉ NAST TRAVELLER INDIA

The Conscious Konkan Sanctuary

Recognized among the premier homestays in Konkan by the global voice in conscious travel, honoring our hand-built vernacular home salvaged from century-old temple wood, screen-free quietude, and farm-to-table integrity.

लोकसत्ता
THE INDIAN EXPRESS GROUP
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LOKSATTA • THE INDIAN EXPRESS GROUP (2020)

Sampada Kulkarni: From Acting to Soil & Farming

Maharashtra’s premier daily profiled Sampada’s journey from celebrated careers in theatre and television into full-time natural farming and hospitality, highlighting the deep personal fulfillment found beyond the urban spotlight.

Lokmat newspaper article, 8 January 2017
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LOKMAT • 8 JANUARY 2017

Farm of Happiness in the Marathi Press

A Marathi newspaper feature documenting the farm and its journey in Konkan.

महाराष्ट्र टाइम्स
THE TIMES GROUP
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MAHARASHTRA TIMES (2020)

Actress Sampada Joglekar-Kulkarni: In the Business of Farming

A leading regional feature exploring how a prominent artist established a thriving agro-tourism model in rural Konkan, showing how creative expression can seamlessly merge with soil conservation and indigenous culinary heritage.

mid-day
MUMBAI EDITION
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MID-DAY (MUMBAI)

The City Escapists Who Truly Stayed

Distinguishing between temporary weekend getaways and permanent rural commitment, this feature captured how our departure from Mumbai’s corporate race permanently enriched the local village economy and surrounding biodiversity.

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Awards & Appreciation

National & Global Recognitions That Affirmed Our 20-Year Journey of Soil & Hospitality

2015 ATDC Krishi Paryatan Gaurav Puraskar
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AGRO TOURISM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION • 2015

Pioneering Agro-Tourism Project of Konkan

Honored by Padma Shri Popatrao Pawar as an early agrarian model in Konkan[cite: 36]. A watershed milestone made timeless as our proud father, Rajaram Kulkarni, joined us on stage[cite: 36].

2015 IIPTI Award 2015
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IIPTI INDIA • 2015

Empowered Women in Tourism: Organic Greening of India

Presented to Sampada by the Hon’ble Governor of Maharashtra, Shri C. Vidyasagar Rao, celebrating her role in demonstrating how conscious tourism can restore and nurture land[cite: 35].

2016 Indian Responsible Tourism Awards 2016 Gold
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OUTLOOK INDIA RESPONSIBLE TOURISM • 2016

National Gold: Best Responsible Tourism Property

Our first national gold recognition[cite: 33]. It affirmed that practicing genuine agro-ecology and slow, authentic hospitality in rural Sangameshwar set an early standard for mindful Indian travel[cite: 33].

2019 MSME Award 2019
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NATIONAL MSME AWARDS • 2019

Women Leadership in Rural Agri-Enterprise

Conferred upon Sampada in recognition of building a grounded, community-centered rural business, demonstrating that silent dedication in remote corners commands national respect[cite: 34].

2015 – 2023 A Decade of Consistent Excellence on TripAdvisor
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TRIPADVISOR GLOBAL TRAVELER BENCHMARK • 10 CONSECUTIVE YEARS

A Decade of Consistent Excellence: Top 1% Worldwide

For a modest farm in a Konkan village, ten uninterrupted years of traveler acclaim—culminating in back-to-back Best of the Best awards (2022 & 2023)[cite: 28, 32]—is deeply moving validation. It confirms that genuine rural hospitality, home-grown food, and unhurried peace resonate across borders[cite: 28, 32].

2026 Indian Responsible Tourism State Awards 2026 Gold
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INDIAN RESPONSIBLE TOURISM STATE AWARDS • 2026

Gold Award: Sustainable Leadership (Farm Stay)

A crowning milestone in our ongoing journey. Conferred with the Gold Award for Sustainable Leadership in the Farm Stay category, affirming two decades of uncompromising, earth-centered stewardship[cite: 30, 31].

Award Preview
Award High-Res Preview

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Follow Our Living Journey

Stories of the Soil, Seasonal Farm Rhythms & Daily Life in Phungus

We document the unfiltered everyday realities of natural farming, culinary traditions, wildlife on the laterite plateau, and quiet rural reflections. Connect with us on our channels and read our ongoing writings.

Farm of Happiness in Konkan