WWOOF

World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (also known as Willing Workers on Organic Farms) (WWOOF) is an organization which facilitates the placement of volunteer workers on organic farms. There are WWOOF groups in many countries around the world (see external links below). They all maintain similar standards and work together to promote the aims of WWOOF.

Farms wishing to become a WWOOF host provide their details to their national organization. In countries where there is no WWOOF group yet the farms can list in the "Independents List" which is managed by WWOOF UK and WWOOF Australia. These are collated and published in a booklet or on a secure internet site. Interested volunteers pay a small annual membership fee to receive internet access or a copy of this booklet and a membership card. They can then contact the farms directly to arrange a visit. The duration of the visit can range from a few days to months or even years.

WWOOF volunteers ('WWOOFers') do not receive any financial payment. The host provides food, accommodation and opportunities to learn, in exchange for assistance with farming or gardening activities.

A huge variety of people volunteer through WWOOF, from vacationing students to those who are interested in starting organic farming or organic gardening for themselves. WWOOFers range in age from teenagers (or children with their parents) through to pensioners. Likewise the farms can range from a private garden through smallholdings, allotments, to commercial farms.

The role of the WWOOF organisations is to make the contact between travellers and hosts. They respond to complaints if there are any problems. If an issue should arise between a host and WWOOFer then the local organiser will be able to mediate to find a resolution. Hosts are expected to offer a friendly and welcoming environment and experience in organic growing methods. The WWOOFers should be willing to learn by pitching in with the daily chores.

As of 2007, the following countries or states have their own WWOOF organisation and therefore publish their own booklet. Hosts located in other countries have their listings in both WWOOF Independents and WWOOF Australia.

Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Hawaii, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Nepal, New Zealand, Palestine, Slovenia, Switzerland, Sweden, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States

External links