WWOOF
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World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms or Willing Workers on Organic Farms (WWOOF) is an organisation which facilitates placement of volunteer workers on organic farms. The international headquarters is based in Lewes, England. Several countries have their own affiliated organisation.
Farms wishing to become a WWOOF host provide their details to either their national organisation (if any) or to the UK office. These are collated and published in a booklet. Interested volunteers pay a small annual membership fee to receive a copy of this booklet and a membership card. They can then contact the farms directly to arrange placement. Duration of placement can range from a few days to months or even years on occasion.
WWOOF volunteers ('WWOOFers') do not normally receive any financial payment. The host provides food, accommodation and opportunities to learn, in exchange for assistance with farming or gardening activities.
A huge variety of people volunteer through WWOOF, from vacationing students to itinerant hippies or people who are interested in starting organic farming or organic gardening for themselves. Likewise the farms can range from a minor smallholding or even allotment to a large commercial farm.
The role of the WWOOF organisations is to place travellers in contact with the hosts. They maintain a supervisory role and are able to mediate if there are any problems. Hosts are expected to offer a friendly and welcoming environment and experience in organic growing methods. The Wwoofers should be willing to learn by pitching in with the daily chores.
As of 2004, the following countries or states have their own WWOOF organisation and therefore publish their own booklet. Hosts located in other countries have their listings published in the WWOOF Independents booklet.
- Australia
- Austria
- Canada
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Finland
- Germany
- Ghana
- Hawaii
- Italy
- Japan
- Korea
- Nepal
- New Zealand
- Slovenia
- Switzerland
- Sweden
- Togo
- Uganda
External links
WWOOF (http://www.wwoof.org)
WWOOF JAPAN (http://www.wwoofjapan.org)
WWOOF Australia (http://www.wwoof.com.au)
WWOOF Austria (http://www.wwoof.welcome.at.tf)
WWOOF Canada (http://www.wwoof.ca)
WWOOF Czech Republic (http://www.wwoof.ecn.cz)
WWOOF Denmark (http://www.wwoof.dk)
WWOOF Germany (http://www.wwoof.de)
WWOOF Hawai (http://www.wwoofhawaii.org)
WWOOF Italy (http://www.wwoof.it)
WWOOF Korea (http://www.wwoofkorea.com)
WWOOF Mexico (http://www.wwoofmexico.com)
WWOOF Nepal (http://http://www.angelfire.com/folk/wwoofnepal/)
WWOOF New Zealand (http://www.wwoof.co.nz)
WWOOF Slovenia (http://www.wwoofslovenia.cjb.net)
WWOOF Turkey (http://www.bugday.org/tatuta/?lang=EN)
WWOOF Independent Hosts (http://http://www.wwoof.org/wlist.asp)
WWOOF UK (http://www.wwoof.org.uk)
WWOOF USA (http://www.wwoofusa.org)