WWOOF

Japanese "wwoofer" in Guinea (2014)
A WWOOF participant farm in Australia. The raspberry bushes pictured require regular weeding.

World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF, /ˈwʊf/), or World Wide Organization of Organic Farms, is a network of national organizations that facilitate homestays on organic farms. There is no central list or organization that encompasses all WWOOF hosts. As there is no single international WWOOF membership, all recognized WWOOF country organizations strive to maintain similar standards, and cooperate together to promote the aims of WWOOF.[1]

WWOOF provides volunteers (often called "WWOOFers" or "woofers", /ˈwʊfər/) with enough experience in organic and ecologically sound growing methods to help the organic movement. They let volunteers experience life in a rural setting or in a different nation. WWOOF volunteers generally do not receive a salary in exchange for services. The host provides food, lodging, and opportunities to learn, in exchange for assistance with farming or gardening activities for the host.

The duration of the visit can range from days to years. Workdays average five to six hours, and participants interact with WWOOFers from other countries.[2] WWOOF farms include private gardens through smallholdings, allotments, and commercial farms. Farms become WWOOF hosts by enlisting with their regional organization. In countries with no WWOOF organization, farms enlist with WWOOF Independents.[3]

  1. ^ "World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms". WWOOF. Federation of WWOOF Organizations. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  2. ^ Smithers, Rebecca (22 April 2011). "Want to be a wwoofer?". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  3. ^ Madden, Jacon (16 June 2010). "WWOOF your way around the world!". CNN. WarnerMedia. Retrieved 12 January 2021.