Everything you need to know about WWOOFing
Maybe you’ve seen this little buzzword around, maybe you have no idea what I’m about to talk about.
But WWOOFing is probably the best way to explore new countries, experience new cultures and learn new skills. For free*
*you only need to pay the WWOOF membership. Average cost is $50 AUD per person/per year
The website definition is as below:
Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF). This organisation links visitors with organic farmers, promotes an educational and cultural exchange and builds a global community conscious of ecological farming practices.
Yes this is indeed a volunteer-based organisation. Wwoofing is the replacement word for “working”, and a woofer is referring to the person doing the work. By going through WWOOF you will be able to live & breathe a whole new different lifestyle. Each host will offer something different, and there are so many experiences to choose from. This is not a holiday, but a cultural exchange.
So let's break it down further.
Why should I volunteer?
If I’m honest, it’s because it comes with free accommodation and free food.
But if you want an answer that is a little more inspirational & exciting, well I would tell you it’s because it’s the most unique way to explore this amazing planet. Being able to understand how to take care of our land, giving your time to learn a different lifestyle, having strangers accept you into their homes as if you were their own family, I mean come on this is what the world should be like! Personally, I think being able to learn new skills, being around animals, and have all my meals included is truly the best kind of holiday.
What can I expect from this?
You will gain practical skills in organic farming and gardening, as well as first-hand experience of the rural life. As this is a volunteering program, the hosts are aware not everyone has a farming background, as such a lot of the work is actually pretty basic and/or supervised. Most places will require you to work anywhere from 4-6 hours a day (give or take a couple hours depending on the season).
Most hosts will have bedding arrangements available for more than just 1 volunteer, so at times you may be working with other people which is a wonderful way to meet lifelong friends. Food is provided from your host, and although some hosts might cook entire meals for you, generally it is a shared duty especially when there are many woofers around.
The work might be a little physically demanding and at times in harsher conditions than what you are used to, but don’t worry. If you ever feel uncomfortable, just say so! Communication is key.
Okay but what else will I get out of this?
The possibilities are endless. Meeting new people, caring after farm animals, making an impact on the community, learning new skills, yummy meals and more. This is your chance to be welcomed into a different lifestyle, learn and grow. Below image is a screenshot of all the available filters on the website.
Alright this sounds pretty good. How do I get started?
Yay! Firstly, you’ll have to decide where you are going. Be mindful that each country will have their own individual memberships. This means if you are planning on going to multiple countries, you may need to buy more than one membership.
Once that’s settled, purchase your membership & complete your wwoofer profile. Describe yourself a little, add a cute profile picture, and have a browse around.
From here you can view all the amazing hosts and start applying.
When sending your requests, be kind and be honest! The hosts want to know about you. And although it's not a corporate job application, you should still want to keep this professional. You will be working with them after all.
And now we wait for a response. Don’t be afraid to send requests to multiple hosts at a time, you can always cancel requests.
Happy travels!
Bron x
