Author	Message
JaMeZ Moderator Amsterdam	# Posted: 2 Dec 2005 12:09:55 · Edited by: JaMeZ A nugget of travel knowledge on WWOOFing. WWOOF stands for World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. The organisation has been around since 1971, and serves as a platform for farmers and volunteers. Farmers can list their farm online, and indicate that they wouldn't mind a bit of help from motivated persons. Volunteers can register at WWOOF and obtain the hosts addresses list. As a volunteer, you get to work on an organic farm abroad, sometimes in beautiful exotic locations. In exchange for working a number of hours a day (usually 5 or 6, but the number of hours differs per host), you'll receive accommodation, meals, and sometimes even some pocket money. You'll be doing all sorts of farm work: from milking cows to gardening. In short, it's a great way to gain experience in farm work, to see a country and its culture from a local perspective, and hang about in one place for a while without having to worry about money. A great opportunity if you want to have a different and cheap travel experience. Now, about registering. There are two basically two possibilities. Many countries have their own national WWOOF organisation. If you want to volunteer in a country that has its own organisation, you should register there to obtain the host addresses. National WWOOF organisations include Australia, Denmark, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Nepal, New Zealand, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. A full country list can be found here: http://www.wwoof.org/national.asp Once you've paid the registration fee to the national organisation, you'll obtain an address list with all current hosting farms. Once you have that, you can start making phone calls (or sending emails) to find a host that's willing to take you in for a while. You usually have to arrange this yourself! The second registration possibility is to join WWOOF Independents. This organisation maintains an address list of all hosting farms in countries that don't have a national organisation. Joining costs are 15 GBP / 30 USD / 25 EUR, and gives you online access to the farm addresses. A list of countries that are covered by WWOOF Independents can be found here: http://www.wwoof.org/newsite/wlist.asp Well, there we are. I hope I've given you some new ideas on how to fill in your travel adventures, and I hope to have clarified how to go about on WWOOF-ing around the world. Some final notes: - You must at least be 18 years old to go WWOOFing. - Make sure to clearly arrange all conditions beforehand with your host (number of hours, accommodation, meals, etc.) - You need to take care of an appropriate visa yourself (if needed). - You need to take care of health insurance with coverage for working abroad. - Related information on working abroad can be found at http://www.worldbackpackers.net/info/work.html - And of course don't forget to visit the official website for all WWOOF-ing details: http://www.wwoof.org/ James "It is no coincidence that in no known language does the phrase 'As pretty as an Airport' appear." - Douglas Adams

Andy McKenna Member United States of America	# Posted: 24 Apr 2006 06:13:24 One thing I've learned and that all the experts say: NEVER pay money up front for a job or volunteer opportunity. If they are asking you for money it's probably a scam.
RobN Moderator UK	# Posted: 24 Apr 2006 15:43:32 Andy McKenna : One thing I've learned and that all the experts say: NEVER pay money up front for a job or volunteer opportunity. If they are asking you for money it's probably a scam. WWOOFing is not a scam, certainly not in Australia where I've come across it.