Why You Should WWOOF

Most people are surprised to hear that you’ll be working on a farm halfway across the world. Especially when you tell them that you’ll be “WWOOFing” it. WWOOF stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (https://wwoofinternational.org/) and provides volunteer opportunities for anyone willing to work on organic farms around the globe in return for housing, food, and cultural exchange.  It sounds like a great idea: an enchanting getaway at an idyllic farm. You’ve looked at countless photos, read online testimonies of others’ experiences, and imagined embarking on such an adventure. Personally, I did all of this but had little idea of what to expect before I spent three months WWOOFing in central Europe. Now that I’ve made that journey, I can confidently say that it was one of the most impactful experiences of my life. So why was my experience so remarkable and why should you WWOOF on your next trip? 

Try new foods!

If you love experimenting with different cuisines and trying new foods, WWOOF is for you! One of the best parts about WWOOF is that meals are provided for you. These are often cooked by and/or with the host(s) using their favorite recipes that they’ve developed or were passed down from ancestors.  While in Italy, I picked up wonderful recipes for carbonara, fennel salad, and limoncello that I now carry with me wherever I go. 

See the world! (Without spending a dime) 

You’ve always wanted to travel, but couldn’t stomach the cost of a nice hotel for a 10-day excursion on a sunbaked coast. Perhaps eating out every meal would send your checking account into an abyss. If you’ve had these concerns, you are not alone. You can quell these worries while accomplishing many of your travel goals through the power of WWOOF.  There are WWOOF hosts in over 100 countries around the world, so there are plenty of amazing places to spend your time. And the best part? You won’t have to pay a dime to live in idyllic natural beauty. You may expect basic accommodations because of your rank as a volunteer, but I was pleasantly surprised to find this is not often the case. I stayed in beautiful apartments, bedrooms, and even a quaint renovated mobile home. While organizing your own transportation to and from the farm(s) is a must, your accommodations and meals are included in exchange for your work contributions (maximum 30 hours/week).  This limited work schedule affords plenty of free time during evenings and weekends to visit nearby cities, natural sites, and whatever else you desire.  While I found leaving the farm to be challenging at times without my own vehicle, I had gracious hosts who were happy to show me around the surrounding area to provide a holistic travel experience. 

Make a positive impact on the planet!

WWOOFing allows you to assist organic farmers in increasing their carbon storage through planting while aiding in their development of sustainable water, fertilizer, and food sources.  By learning and practicing these principles, you can start to integrate them into your own life. Whether that starts with reducing your personal waste, starting a compost bin, or simply using less water, the effects of better decision making in this sphere will have positive ripple effects for your community and our planet.

Sam Herring