Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Jyothi Reddy’s Life of Education, Organic Farming and Nature
Jyothi Reddy spent many years running a school in a village.
She believed education could help children and communities grow.
She also cared deeply about nature, so she planted trees and farmed organically on land near her village.
Some local farmers first thought nothing would grow there, but later praised her work.
At her school, children learned about farming, composting and sorting waste.
When people tried to shut the school, local officials and the police helped protect it.
Reddy also brought visitors from other countries to learn and plant trees with villagers.
Now she is creating Uma Retreat, where people can learn, gather or enjoy nature.
Jyothi Reddy spent 23 years running a village school after graduating from Osmania University.
Beginning in 1992, she planted trees and practiced organic farming on land near Mulugu, despite local farmers’ doubts.
Her foundation taught children natural farming, waste segregation and composting, and took tree-planting drives to 14 nearby villages.
After people tried to close her school, local administrators and the Superintendent of Police intervened to protect it.
Reddy is developing Uma Retreat, named after her mother, as a place for learning, workshops, meditation and time in nature.
- Who
- Jyothi Reddy, an educator and organic farming advocate.
- What
- She is developing Uma Retreat and reflects on her work in education, farming and environmental learning.
- When
- Her ecological work on the land began in 1992; the retreat is yet to open.
- Where
- Near Mulugu, outside Warangal, India.
- Why
- Reddy hopes to create a place where people can learn from nature and one another, and experience the care invested in the land.
- Retreat
- Uma Retreat, named after Reddy’s mother, Uma Devi; it has not yet opened.
- School experience
- Reddy ran a village school for 23 years.
- Ecological work
- She began planting trees and farming organically on the land in 1992.
- Village outreach
- Tree-planting drives reached 14 neighbouring villages described as having no fruit trees.
- International journey
- A month-long project brought 24 participants from 15 countries to India.
- Retreat activities
- The planned space is intended for children and young people, workshops, meditation, writing and time in nature.