I recently found out about a program called WWOOF {Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms}. It is basically a collaboration of organic farms/gardens all around the country that have agreed to open their mini-farms up to visitors interested in visiting {and putting in a 1/2 day of manual labor} in exchange for education, room and board. I literally LOVE the idea, and thought it might be a really cool way for The Girl and I to travel the country this summer.
The whole idea started in England {wouldn’t you know it, those clever Brits}, and has spread worldwide. The USA chapter is thriving, with over 1900 participating farms/garden.
To become a WWOOFer {which I will do, just so I can call myself a WWOOFER}, you have to sign up. It costs between $40-$50, depending on which option you choose. Once you sign up, you receive a directory of all of the farms participating in the program. Then you make a plan and contact the garden to arrange a visit. Oh, and P.S., it’s not just gardens, you can choose from homesteads, ranches, orchards, etc. You can also become a host, if practice organic growing techniques, and you would like to open up your farm/garden and house to visitors. I’ll admit, if I had a bigger operation, I wouldn’t mind somebody popping by to help me with the weeding for 1/2 a day in exchange for dinner and a bed.
Holy buckets, people, if this is not the most Utopian idea I’ve heard in a long time, I don’t know what is. How cool would it be to meet other people, learn different gardening tricks, and then get the rest of the day to explore the place you’ve landed? It would be awesome, I tell ya.
Has anyone tried this before? If not, would you be interested in trying it?
~Mavis
Rosaleen says
Sounds great to me!
Aileen says
Here in Ireland this is very popular. We get a lot of students from abroad wishing to visit Ireland & using this facility to see different parts of the country. However the duration of stay tends to be weeks rather than days. Have met some lovely people along the way.
Mavis Butterfield says
Hi Aileen,
Do you own a farm in Ireland… I never thought to go across the pond, but who doesn’t love Ireland? 🙂
Aileen says
Hi Mavis,
We live in the country & friends have organic farms. They have hosted many Wwooffers over a number of years & all good reviews from both sides so far. This is a link to the Munster Wwoofer Hosts http://www.wwoof.ie/hostlist/preview/munster/all. Very diverse hosts & locations to choose from for anyone interested in a different type of ‘holiday’.
Mavis Butterfield says
Oh I LOVE you Aileen! Thank you. 🙂
Beth P says
I did this with my then boyfriend/now husband years ago. We arranged a week stay at a farm in Maine (we lived in NY at the time) and in exchange for weeding, watering, etc we got housing and meals. The woman we stayed with was a ‘back to the lander/hippie’ and had a composting toilet (the old fashion kind) and the rustiest truck I had ever seen. She was very knowledgeable, super nice, and enthusiastic to teach us. It was a good experience. Do your research and I highly recommend it.
Sue V says
My daughter has done this and stayed at a farm on Vashon. She loved it!
Lisa Millar says
WWOOFing is very a popular way to travel in Australia.
I have had a few WWOOFers stay here even tho we are not registered as hosts yet… it was one of those random chance things – which has led to heaps of people coming to stay on our small property in Tasmania for short or long stays. (Word of mouth and facebook works a treat!!)
It was a great experience (Which is why we are considering registering as hosts in the future)
We have met some wonderful people, and its fantastic being able to have a few extra sets of hands to help out in the garden.
We learnt lots from the travellers and where they came from and had fun showing them our area!
Not all hosts/workers are going to work out… I have heard of hosts offering very poor accommodation and food… but if you find a place like that – move on quick and send out appropriate feedback to the organisation.
One of my cousins has travelled about WWOOFing and loved it.
Totally recommend!!
🙂
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks for your insight Lisa! I think it sounds like a great program. 🙂
Julie says
I am SO glad you posted this!!
I have friends who travelled that way around Australia, but it never occurred to me that it’s a possibility here. Will definitely be looking in to it for some travel opportunities for myself and the kiddos.
And hey, anything that gets me some hands on experience for my own small garden is a good thing!
Beth says
Our family WWOOFed on a farm as a family vacation one year and I highly recommend it. We all learned a lot about life on a family farm, how they operate, what resources are available to them, what the threats are, and details like running sprinkling lines, building a greenhouse, what native plants are edible in our area, and running a state-approved kitchen. Oh, and we also worked hard, made and ate great fresh food, and had fun! We met great people, a personable dog, and an opinionated piglet. I think you’d love it.
Janet says
I volunteer at my local food bank as a gleaner, and the gal who is employed to manage the community gardens here is spending time this winter in Hawaii wwolfing. I thought it sounded like a great idea when she told me her plans and after reading the info you posted, I am even more interested! Hawaii always sounds good this time of year.
Amy says
Hey Mavis,
I have know a few people that have done this and loved it. However, while the travel/experience is great you don’t make any income. So, I thought I would throw in that for those kids that would like to travel. But, need/want to make some income over the summers. Our son worked for an airline a couple of years while in college. He traveled all over the world during his two days off each week…usually in first class…and still had some nice $$$ saved by the end of the summer. As his parents we also received free travel…bonus! Again, I know it’s not gardening. But, thought it worth mentioning.
Sandra says
Our son wants participate in wwoof but I am concerned about his safety, any input from individuals…….
Lisa Millar says
The people I have met who have “WWOOFed have really enjoyed it. They have had their ups and downs… but its all registered so when you start at a new place you have to register with the host to make sure everything is above board etc.
You need to be over 18 to join (In Australia anyway) so its not a kids program. (not sure how old your son is of course)
If people find a place not to their liking for whatever reason, it’s generally pretty easy to move on. You are not tied to a contract. So if some cheeky host decided to work their WWOOFers 12 hour days and feed them inadequate food, then its time to find a new place, and there is also ways to report dodgy operators.
But honestly… the online community works and you can search for places that have been recommended etc. Often hosts will have a few different WWOOFers from all over working at the same time – great way to meet new people and open more doors. We are not official WWOOFing hosts but we have hosted so many people here that have WWOOFed and helped out here and they have been a wonderful bunch of people.
Pretty safe overall as far as travelling generally goes. At least he will be fed and have a place to sleep!
(If he is WWOOFing out of his own country he will still need a work visa even if he is not getting paid work)
Beth says
I’d say that if you are concerned, check with the farmer first. (The internet is great that way!) You didn’t say your son’s age but if he is under 18, try it out with him locally at first and see what you think, get acquainted with the organization, and let him have a short go at it. My guess is that he’ll grow tremendously as a young man…and you will take a step in letting him go! 😉