The amenities vary. In some farms you will have your own room while in others you may have to share it and bathrooms with several people. If you’ve got a woodland, vineyard, allotment, garden or farm and adhere to the principles of organic farming sustainability, you are eligible to be a WWOOF host and take in volunteers. Volunteers can provide assistance with your day-to-day tasks and lessen your workload. Another advantage is many volunteers are familiar with bio-dynamic growing and permaculture growing techniques. Learn something new. WWOOF gives you the chance to learn a new skill at low cost, and at the same time you get to visit different places and meet new people.

Don’t expect fancy lodging: This isn’t a five star hotel, it is farm, so you could end up sleeping in a barn loft, basement bunkhouse or tepee. In some farms you could be staying in a comfortable room with amenities, while in another you may have to set up your own tent. Fight stress. This might seem odd at first. After all you’ll be doing some farm work, but a lot of volunteers say the experience actually reduces their stress level. While you’ll be doing some work, it’s more about learning. Throw in the fresh air, meeting new people and being able to visit new locales, and your stress may fade away.

Don’t take risks: While you are a guest at their farm, you alone are responsible for your safety. Members of WWOOF have insurance in some countries, but if you’re careful you won’t ever have to use it. Be careful when spraying on plants, when feeding animals and doing other tasks. Use common sense as well. If you’re asked to drive the tractor and you don’t feel capable of doing so, let your host know and politely decline.

This hand decorated sponge can be shared between small doggy siblings or given as a single treat to a larger breed. This treat is made up of light and fluffy vanilla sponge and piped vanilla-flavoured yogurt frosting, topped with edible biscuits bones. I discovered WWOOF much later in life however and realised just what I’d missed out on! It wasn’t long before I was working for WWOOF UK through living at Redfield intentional community and being a host. My experiences of being a WWOOFer in the UK and the Republic of Ireland have taught me that there is a network of incredible people who are willing to share their lives with you. All you have to do is turn up, give your time, your energy and the rewards are enormous; there’s a lot of learning on so many levels. As Mahatma Gandhi put it “the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Social media gives me the opportunity to express my creativity and to promote the organisation that I believe is so important and valuable to everyone. Something that was wonderful would be "outta sight" (so great or unbelievable, you just couldn't take it all in.) Remember why you’re there: Being in a new place, it’s tempting to go out sightseeing. It’s allowed provided you’re done with your duties for the day. All the good food, meeting new people, the beautiful vistas and local sights and sounds are secondary as you are there to do volunteer work. To gain the respect of your hosts, don’t hesitate to get your hands dirty, be responsible and respectful of your work.Try something different. If you’ve been doing the same thing over and over during your vacation, then it’s time for a change. It’s not exactly your typical vacation, but one where you can learn new things and do something adventurous.

Gives you a new perspective on life: some people become so enamored with life on the farm they decide to be farmers full time. This is your chance to see if this lifestyle is for you.A chance to enjoy different kinds of weather. Is it winter where you live and want to get away from it? Go WWOOFing and enjoy the sun. In other words, WWOOF benefits both host and volunteer, and a lot of volunteers enjoy their experience so much they end up becoming farmers. As a host, this is the right time to spread word about organic farming and its benefits. If you’re interested in becoming one, simply get in touch with the WWOOF in your country and they will help with the procedure. WWOOFing began in 1971 in the UK. It was the brainchild of Sue Coppard, who together with a couple of friends, wanted to spend some time in a farm. In return for their stay, Sue and her friends performed various tasks around the farm. Following their successful stay, other people soon followed and the WWOOF movement was on its way. Do not be shy: You’ll be staying at their farm so let them know a bit about you. You’re not the only one volunteering for that farm so it won’t hurt to “sell yourself” by pointing out your strong points. Can you sow seeds? Do you have some experience planting vegetables? Provide some details of your skills. If you don’t have any direct related experience, emphasize other attributes. Are you hard working? Do you take directions well? Will you take ownership of the work assigned to you? Going to go far in helping you land that volunteer spot in the farm.

After a year of lurking I became a WWOOF Trustee in 2022. My first experiences with WWOOFing were in the late nineties where I tried out a few long weekends. I enjoyed it enough to leave my job as a librarian and spend a year WWOOFing in the UK, Ireland and Spain. I have a great affection for goats so I spent a lot of that year clambering, making cheese and failing to keep the kids out of trouble. Although I began WWOOFing as an adult in my 30s, the experience taught me and changed me in a powerful way. And I met some wonderful humans too! I have remained a member ever since. I have a long-standing interest in ethical food, having worked for a specialist cheese shop, and a well-known organic delivery service. I believe that food justice, starting locally, is the necessary foundation for a better world. WWOOF was founded in 1971 in the UK and is one of the world’s first educational and cultural exchange programs. Where and when there is local interest, WWOOF is organized on a national basis and today there are more than 40 vibrant national WWOOF organisations around the world. All national WWOOF organisations share a mission to link visitors with organic farmers, promote a cultural and educational exchange, and build a global community conscious of ecological farming and sustainability practices. If you’ve got a farm, being a WWOOF host gives you the opportunity to learn the latest techniques for growing organics, and it is also a chance to show people another lifestyle they may not be familiar with. Gain practical experience. Sure, you can read about biodynamic and organic farming. However, it’s totally different when you’re out there harvesting, growing and farming. Animal husbandry and other aspects of farming have a sort of therapeutic effect. The feeling of planting and mixing soil is something you’ll not likely to forget. The Barking Bakery Carob Woofin with Vanilla Frosting is a full size, low calorie muffin made especially for your furry friend.There are different types of hosts: some use their land for self-sufficiency, others make a living from it. Some hosts are individuals while others are comprised of families with children. Some hosts are independent while others are part of eco-villages, communities or cooperatives.