Organic Farm-Hopping: A Guide To Traveling The World

If you're looking for a way to travel the world on a budget, you might want to consider working on organic farms. World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, or WWOOF for short, is an organisation that connects volunteers with organic farmers. In exchange for a few hours of work a day, you get free food and accommodation.

WWOOF was started in 1971 by Sue Coppard, a secretary in London who wanted to give city-dwellers like herself the opportunity to access the countryside and support local farmers. Today, WWOOF is a large international network, with nearly 100 countries in the group and over 10,000 farms and smallholdings involved.

Volunteers can expect to do anything from planting native trees to herding cattle, and will gain insight into local farming traditions and organic lifestyles. It's a great way to travel cheaply, learn new skills, and meet like-minded people.

How to find an organic farm to work on

WWOOF stands for "Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms" (or "World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms"), and it's a popular way to travel long-term on a budget. WWOOF is a loose affiliation of like-minded groups that matches people looking for work on farms with farmers seeking labour. In exchange for working on an organic farm, travellers receive free room and board.

Volunteers (or "WWOOFers") do not receive a salary for their services. Instead, they receive food, lodging, educational opportunities, and cultural exchange in return for assistance with farming or gardening activities. The duration of the visit can range from days to years, with workdays averaging four to six hours.

To become a WWOOFer, you need to sign up for the national organisation in the country you want to visit. There is no international WWOOF membership, so you'll need to buy a membership from each WWOOF country's organisation. Annual membership usually costs around $10-50 USD per person, per country.

In addition to the obvious financial benefits of free accommodation and food, WWOOFing is a great way to learn about organic farming and sustainable living. It also provides an opportunity to absorb languages, make friends, and gain a truly local experience.

Before signing up, be sure to do your research and be clear about what is expected of you and what you can expect in return. While WWOOF hosts are screened for safety, there have been some reports of hosts overworking or charging volunteers for accommodation. It's important to use your common sense and listen to what the hosts tell you.

In addition to the usual travel essentials, check with your host to see if there is anything specific you might need, such as a sleeping bag or gardening gloves and boots. It's also a good idea to bring some pictures or local goods from home to share with your host.

Now that you know the basics, you're ready to start planning your WWOOFing adventure!

What to expect when working on an organic farm

Working on an organic farm is a rewarding and challenging experience. Here's what to expect:

Physical Work and Long Hours

Organic farming is manual labour and can be physically demanding. Expect early mornings and long days, with work hours ranging from 20 to 30 hours per week, or 4 to 6 hours per day, 5 to 6 days a week. The work is dependent on the weather and can include planting, weeding, harvesting, fencing, and making compost. It's essential to be prepared for the physical demands and have realistic expectations.

Accommodation and Food

In exchange for your work, you'll typically receive free accommodation and food. The type of accommodation varies, from tents to cabins or rooms in a farmhouse. The food is a significant benefit, as you'll get to eat tons of fresh, organic produce, often straight from the garden. You'll likely be expected to help with meal preparation and other household chores as well.

Cultural Exchange and Community

Working on an organic farm offers a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded people from around the world. You'll meet interesting, cool, and smart people who are drawn to this kind of work, whether they are fellow volunteers or locals. It's a great way to make friends and gain insights into local cultures and traditions, especially if you're working on a farm hosted by a local family.

Learning and Personal Growth

Organic farming provides a chance to learn about organic lifestyles, sustainable living, and traditional farming methods. You'll develop new skills, such as cooking and gardening, and may even pick up a new language. It can be a transformative experience, helping you build resilience and a more positive outlook on life.

Practical Considerations

Before embarking on your organic farming journey, there are a few practical things to keep in mind. First, register with a WWOOF organisation in your desired country, as this will give you access to host listings and opportunities. Make sure you have the necessary travel documents and funds to support yourself, especially if you plan to move between farms or countries. Bring appropriate clothing and gear, such as rain boots, a rain jacket, and sun protection. Finally, be prepared for challenges and unexpected situations, whether it's dealing with difficult weather conditions or navigating interpersonal conflicts with fellow volunteers or hosts.

Overall, working on an organic farm through programmes like WWOOF offers a unique and enriching travel experience. It's a chance to immerse yourself in local cultures, connect with nature, and learn about sustainable practices while exploring the world.

How long you can expect to work on an organic farm for

The length of your stay at an organic farm is negotiated directly between you and your host. Most WWOOFers stay between one and two weeks, but if you are short on time, you may be able to arrange a stay as short as two days. On the other hand, some WWOOFers stay for months or even years, hopping from one farm to another.

You will normally be expected to work between four and six hours a day, five to six days a week. This can be arranged beforehand by contacting the host. Remember that this is an exchange based on fair play: don't expect to lounge around, but if you feel you are working too much, tell your host.

In exchange for your work, you will receive free room and board. You will also gain knowledge from living and working in a sustainable organic environment and spending time with local people, learning traditional farming methods.

What you will gain from working on an organic farm

Working on an organic farm through the WWOOF (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms) program can be a great way to travel the world on a budget. In exchange for a few hours of work a day, you are provided with free food and accommodation. Here are some of the benefits and things you will gain from working on an organic farm through WWOOF:

Gain Knowledge and Experience in Organic and Sustainable Farming Practices

Organic farming is a sustainable agricultural system that uses ecologically-based pest controls and biological fertilizers derived from animal and plant wastes and nitrogen-fixing cover crops. By working on an organic farm, you will learn about organic lifestyles and gain first-hand experience in sustainable farming practices. You will learn about soil-building practices such as crop rotation, inter-cropping, cover crops, organic fertilizers, and minimum tillage, which are central to organic farming. You will also learn about organic pest control methods, which integrate biological, cultural, and genetic controls to minimize pest damage.

Immerse Yourself in Local Culture and Traditions

WWOOFing allows you to live and work with local families and communities, giving you a unique insight into local farming traditions and cultural practices. You will have the opportunity to participate in local events and activities, such as village gatherings, festivals, and inaugurations, providing you with a deeper understanding of the local culture and customs.

Develop New Skills and Make Like-Minded Friends

Working on an organic farm will allow you to develop a range of new skills, from farming techniques to language skills if you are working in a foreign country. You will also have the opportunity to meet and connect with like-minded people from all over the world who share an interest in organic farming and sustainable living. These connections can lead to future adventures and collaborations.

Save Money and Travel on a Budget

One of the biggest advantages of WWOOFing is the opportunity to travel the world on a budget. By exchanging your work for food and accommodation, you can save a significant amount of money that would otherwise be spent on these expenses. This allows you to extend your travels and explore new places without breaking the bank.

Gain a Sense of Community and Connection

Working on an organic farm through WWOOF will allow you to develop a sense of community and connection with your hosts, other volunteers, and local residents. You will be working together towards a common goal, fostering a sense of camaraderie and teamwork. This can be a rewarding and enriching experience, allowing you to form lasting bonds and create meaningful memories.

The history of WWOOF

WWOOF, or World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, is a network of national organisations that facilitate homestays on organic farms. The organisation was founded by Sue Coppard in 1971 in England. Coppard, a secretary living and working in London, wanted to provide urban dwellers with access to the countryside while supporting the organic movement.

The idea for WWOOF began with a trial working weekend for four people at a bio-dynamic farm at Emerson College in Sussex. The weekend was a success, and soon many more organic farmers were willing to host people keen to work on their farms in return for food and accommodation. The name "Working Weekends on Organic Farms" was soon changed to "Willing Workers On Organic Farms" as people began to volunteer for longer periods than just weekends. However, the use of the word "work" in the title caused problems in some regions as the organisation became inappropriately connected with migrant work. In 2000, the name was changed again to "World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms".

The first WWOOF group was started in the UK in the early 1970s, and by 1973, Coppard took a year off from WWOOF to explore the Far East. During this time, WWOOF continued to expand, and new WWOOF groups began to spring up in other countries. Today, WWOOF is a global movement, with over 100,000 volunteers helping out on more than 12,000 host farms in more than 130 countries.

Frequently asked questions