A deeper connection to the land and the community.
You wake one morning after a very restful sleep to the sound of a strange bird with a very eerie call. Startled, you look around and it takes you a second to fully realize that your are not in your home. In fact, you are in a mid sizes yurt with a peacock that likes to nest above it and bellow in the morning. You get dressed, walk outside, and stretch while taking in the clean air around you and the beauty of the area you are in. You can see many varieties of fruit trees around for the picking, vegetables growing amongst the trees, and several unique varieties of animals the pastures that all create a symbiotic relationship with one another. Although this may be a vacation for you, it’s far more than that. You are actually here working. But, the tradeoff is that you have a place to stay, amazing organic food, an in depth educational experience, and a connection to the community of that area all for free…with only a few hours of work.
This is the world of WWOOFing.
WWOOF stands for ‘World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farm’ which connects farms from around the world to volunteers who want to have a deeper connection to the land, the community, and to get a variety of educational experiences at sustainable & organic farms.
For the farmers, it gets the help needed, since the agricultural field is not a money maker of a job field, as well meeting many people who can deepen their relationship to that land, community, and sustainable lifestyle. For volunteer, it is a great way to make an incredible learning experience for a relatively inexpensive trip. The length of volunteering can vary depending on the farm from a few day to the entire season. But for a majority of them it is usually a week long.
When volunteering, it is important that one asks as many questions in terms of sleeping arrangements, length of work hours, meals, and length since they all vary from farm to farm. Typically, volunteers can expect about 4 hours a day of work with the rest of the time to rest, explore the area, swim, or mountain bike & canoe if the farm has these offerings (you’d be surprised that they can offer!). These farmers want to reach out to you and have both ends as enjoyable as possible. And if not? Your not committed so you can easily pack up and move on. It’s important to find out what works for you.
Each farm is a different experience with different attributes associated with it. There may be one where you are working with and milling water buffalo. Another where you work to build a living roof on cob house to integrate into the permaculture system on the farm. Who knows, you may even learn how to slaughter a rabbit that you then work with the farmer to turn into the most delicious meal you have ever had. The experience is what you make it and all depends on the arrangements you made beforehand.
HOW TO START
There are, actually, a number of websites and organizations that can get you this work exchange opportunity.
- WWOOF website: the first, the most comprehensible, and most popular internationally. But ,you do have to pay per country for a list of the hosts.
-Growfood: A growing website where you can view the list of farms, per country, on a map. It’s free to use and to view the farms but you must sign up in order to contact them. Or… Get the names of the farms and google it. You have to watch this site because, unlike WWOOF, you may have to actually pay to stay at these farms. Typically it to cover costs of the food only. There are also listings of international volunteer organizations that use this as a way to connect but you have to pay a significant amount to ‘volunteer’ for them. This site can be hit or miss at times depending on the country but I have found many successes on it.
-Transitions Abroad: This site offers a list of internships, paid work, as well as WWOOFing opportunities. Also a good read on the allure and realities of WWOOFing. Highly suggested.
-ATTRA: NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Project lists, by state/province, in North America for internships and apprenticeship opportunities. Depending on what region you check, it may or may not be paid, and the experiences widely vary. I had very good luck on this site. The most active states (in the US) for listings are in the NW, upper midwest (MN, IA, WI, IL, MI) and upper NE. Highly suggested.
-Sustainable Food Jobs: American blog that posts various agricultural jobs and internships throughout the US.
-CCOF Jobs: American organic website the provides individuals with organic agricultural employment or internships.
-Orion Grassroots Network: Provides jobs and internships throughout the US.
-Peace Corps Agriculture: Nonprofit organization where you volunteer for two years while working with small-scale farmers in a sustainable manner. You are able to get your student loans on deferment as well as get a small stipend. Although you can only work at one area during the time.
Volunteer South America: Website that lists free and low-cost volunteer opportunities within South America. May or may not include farm work.
WHAT NEXT?
Picking the farm intentionally and wisely. You need to find out what works for you. See what the farm can offer you and what works with your interests. You may find that you only work for 3 hours and that they have kayaks that they offer after a day picking beans. some have permaculture systems, some make cheese, and some are strict vegans. Find out as much information as you can.
Be direct and ask specific questions about your arrangements. Yo may be sleeping on a couch, in a yurt, sharing a room with 4 other individuals, or sleeping in the lofts of the cows. You never know. Also ask how your time is spent, how much you are expected to work, if meals are included, and if they can arrange pick-ups if you are in a nearby town/village.
Find out about the climate and weather that time of year. If you not in an area with a true winter (i.e. SNOW), then you may be able to do a lot of work throughout the entire year. Or, if there is snow, the farm might be the type where they do need help depending on the circumstance. Also plan for the weather because you…. just ….never…..know……
Items to bring. Some farms are able to provide you certain work items to use…like work gloves. But people tend to lose or have them ripped apart so it would be a good idea to have a really good pari with your with your NAME on it. Also a hat or bandana, sunscreen, a large water bottle, shoes ( I went barefoot a lot or used Vibram five finger shoes), rubber boots, a small LED head flashlight, and a really really good RAIN JACKET. I would not suggest nicer clothes at all unless it is to go out sometime.
