Skip to content »
Skip to second navigation »

Mar

01

2013

May

01

2013

Mar

01

2014

May

01

2014

Mar

01

2015

May

01

2015


Get Back to the Land Helping an Organic Farm with WWOOF

Published by Spencer Spellman, Writer

Country: United Kingdom

The Experience

Over the last couple years, volunteer travel has become extremely popular among college grads and young travelers. Much of this has stemmed from the dissemination of information the Internet provides, making people aware of the volunteer needs and opportunities in other cultures. Such as the case, many people have quickly jumped at the opportunity to travel the world, while also volunteering. One of the most well-known organizations is the World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF); also known as Willing Workers on Organic Farms.

Although volunteerism has only gained significant momentum in the last few years, WWOOF has actually been around for almost 40 years, being established in England in 1971. It began on a small tract of land with just one woman who wanted to promote organic farming, while providing resources for the community. Today it has grown to include thousands of farms in 100 countries.

WWOOFers, as they're called, spend a few hours a day volunteering on their assigned organic farm in exchange for accommodations and food. Volunteers get to work alongside other WWOOFers, learning about the culture where they have come from, while also being educated by the farm owners themselves on organic farming and the local culture. It's an educating experience for everyone involved. Lengths of stay range anywhere from a week or two, to several months. Volunteers rarely do it in their own country, rather choosing to volunteer in a country they've never been to, in order to learn about a new culture. Since it was where it originated, the UK is often the first choice.

To begin the process, interested participants simply begin by going to the WWOOF's main page and then navigate to the country they are interested in volunteering in. Many of the countries have their own page, which list farm locations and more details about volunteering. There's typically a nominal fee upfront to help offset some of the costs of WWOOF. Volunteers don't pay the farm hosts for volunteering, nor are they paid by their hosts. Interested participants can read the descriptions of each farm and decide which farms to contact about becoming a volunteer.

It's important to carefully plan before making your first WWOOF trip. You may even consider taking a short trip first, to make sure the experience and the farm itself is a good fit, before committing to an entire season. In preliminary discussions with the host, volunteers should clearly understand the expectations, work, and accommodations that will be provided. Following some of these guidelines will make for a successful volunteer experience that is not only serving a purpose, but also satisfying and rewarding for both the volunteer and the host.

Photos

Map

Puzzle

When to Go to Wwoof

When to take a WWOOF trip all depends on the season of the country visitors are interested in volunteering in. Of course, the best time to go is right before the peak farming season. This is when farm hosts need the most help, plus it gives the absolute best opportunity for receiving the full farming and cultural experience. In the UK, fall and spring are the best seasons typically to visit, although it depends on the farm and what crops they harvest.

Odds n' Ends

The most important things about going on a WWOOF trip is to be prepared. Volunteers should understand expectations of their host before arriving and be clear on what they need to pack. Travelers should make sure to pack plenty of clothes they can get dirty in, a couple good pairs of outdoor shoes and work gloves at the very minimum.

More Experiences Nearby

Ponder the Paranormal at the Edinburgh Vaults
The city of Edinburgh features beautiful parks and gardens, remarkable buildings, and the marvellous Edinburgh Castle. It may seem surprising, but this charming city has a grisly past that sets a spine-chilling stage for the notorious Edinburgh ghost tours. Edinburgh has been called one of the most haunted cities in Europe, and there are several companies ready to prove its reputation. Mercat tours, Auld Reekie tours, and Black Hart Entertainment are some of the most popular Edinburgh ghost tour companies; and each of these companies offer a variety of tours to suit your individual ghost-hunting needs. Some Edinburgh ghost tours ...41 miles away.

Video

Video Wall

You are now being transfered to our Video Wall

Books and DVDs

The Practical Guide To WWOOF ing
Volunteer: A Traveler's Guide to Making a Difference Around the World
Volunteer Vacations: Short-Term Adventures That Will Benefit You and Others

Elsewhere on the Web

World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms - Wwoof.org

Media References

Why working holidays on organic farms help you see the world anew - TheEcologist.org (blog)

Language Guides

French , Hindi , Italian , Japanese , Mandarin , Portugese , Turkish , Vietnamese are some of the languages spoken in United Kingdom. If you know of a freely available phrase book or podcast for one of the missing languages, let us know!

Discussion

Experienced this and have something to share? Experienced something like this somewhere else? Looking for advise or travel companions? Use this space to leave your mark. Our writers and editors are more than happy to help answer your questions.

Recent Tweets

Listed below are the most recent comments made on Twitter for "wwoof":