WWOOF, which stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, connects volunteers with organic farmers. The idea is that the volunteers, in exchange for their service and work on the farms, will be given accommodations, food, and ideally, educational opportunities.
WWOOFing is not for everyone. My two personal experiences with WWOOFing were both very different, and equally disastrous — probably because I failed to ask the right questions ahead of time. On the other hand, I have plenty of friends who have had wonderful experiences on farms they found through the WWOOF organization.
Some things a prospective WWOOFer will want to consider:
1.) The farms’ classified ads are just that — ads. They are trying to sell their location in the same way a billboard is trying to sell a can of Pepsi. In other words, do not take everything at face value. These farmers get a lot of bang for their buck (or lack thereof) from WWOOFers, and therefore want to make their locations sound as appealing as possible.
2.) Make sure to inquire about the specifics of what will be expected of you as a volunteer laborer. Ask how many hours you will be expected to work. Ask what the work will be like, and whether it will be done alone or with the other WWOOFers, if there are any. You don’t want to go to a flower farm thinking you’ll be making bouquets if what the farmer expects is that you’ll be hauling mulch for most of the day. If the farmer says you’ll only be working 4 hours a day, and you arrive at the farm to find that the work day is more like 8, do not stick around. If they lied about that, they likely lied about other things to expect during your stay.
3.) Ask about recreation opportunities on the farm. Consider how long you are staying there when assessing the recreation and entertainment opportunities of your future temporary home. Are you going to be staying there for 2 weeks, 2 months, or 2 years? If you’re going to be staying there for a lengthy period of time, and there’s nothing on the farm (say, a lake for swimming, or hiking trails) that would hold your interest for more than five minutes, you are likely going to be miserable.
4.) Is it really volunteer work, or will there be monetary compensation? Some farmers pay WWOOFers a small weekly or monthly allowance. Be sure to ask about this as it might influence your decision when you are weighing your options.
5.) What will your accommodations be like? If you are expected to just pitch a tent on the property, be sure to ask about the weather, and do some of your own research about the climate and environment. If you’re going to be outside in a tent on a farm that has excessively hot weather, then you might be signing up for a miserable experience. If you’ll be staying inside on the farm, ask specifics about the inside accommodations. Will you be in a private yurt or will you be squatting in a house with seven other WWOOFers where the couch is fought over like a prized trophy? If you are going to be given inside accommodations, it is also important to ask about the distribution of domestic chores. Who cleans the bathroom, who cooks, etc.?
6.) If you’re interested in education while on the farm, ask ahead of time what the farmer will be willing and available to teach you. This is key so that you do not set yourself up for disappointment.
7.) Consider your health. If you are allergic to dogs, and the farm has four dogs on the property, that might not be the best choice for a WWOOFing experience.
8.) Most importantly, have a back-up plan. If the experience is not what you expected, if you feel you were deceived by the ad, or if you are simply not enjoying yourself at all, make sure you have a “Plan B”. Sometimes it is helpful to have a few other WWOOF ops lined up in case the one you chose doesn’t pan out.
Lastly, be safe. Always be sure to tell your family and/or friends where you are going ahead-of time, and keep in touch with them every so often. Do not feel ‘obligated’ to stay in a WWOOFing arrangement that, for whatever reason, is not right for you.
You can learn more about WWOOF at http://www.wwoof.org.