What to Know About WWOOFing Around the World

There are a wide variety of ways to volunteer on farms abroad, but WWOOFing is perhaps the most popular. WWOOF is a grassroots organization that has been pairing volunteers with host farms since 1971. Although it’s often mistakenly written as WOOFING, WOLFING, or WOOFY, the proper acronym WWOOF stands for Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms.

WWOOFing is a great way to travel the world by keeping costs low through a work exchange on organic farms. It’s a form of “slow travel” that will allow you to gain skills, make friends, and see the world without blowing your budget or rushing each destination.

Want to know more about volunteering on farms and traveling the world? Read our guide on how WWOOFing works, the best places to WWOOF, and more!

WWOOF volunteers will join their hosts in contributing towards sustainability goals on an organic farm. Not only will volunteers learn about agriculture and sustainability, but they’ll meet new people – locals and travelers alike – while immersing themselves in a new corner of the world. In exchange for their work, volunteers will receive accommodation and meals.

There are thousands of farms to choose from that specialize in different forms of agriculture. Whether you want to work on a dairy farm in France that makes artisanal cheese or a horse ranch in Canada, WWOOF hosts are located all across the world – in 90 countries to be exact!

Although it sounds like the perfect scenario, there are some things that volunteers may need to consider:

• Work schedule: In exchange for a room, meals, and other living expenses, volunteers work roughly four to six hours a day – up to six days per week. Although it can be a very fun experience, WWOOF volunteers are expected to be dependable and work hard in exchange for their housing and board.
• Working conditions: Most WWOOF work involves manual labor outside in all weather conditions. Pack accordingly and prepare to get dirty!
• Living conditions: Volunteers will likely live in modest conditions. Some volunteers may have a private room whereas others may need to share a dorm with fellow volunteers. In warmer climates, you might even be camping!
• Meals: Hosts may prepare meals for volunteers or they may ask you to cook for yourself or make communal meals with other volunteers. If you’re required to cook your own meals, ingredients will be provided. This will depend on the host and any dietary requirements you may have. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, many carnivore hosts are happy to accommodate you.
• Language barriers: Your potential host may be an English speaker or they might have limited English abilities. Working with hosts and fellow volunteers who don’t share a common language can be tricky but it’s nothing that can’t be overcome with some gestures and a good sense of humor.

If you do follow through with this educational, character-building experience, you’ll likely leave with a new perspective on a culture and lifestyle that might otherwise have felt totally foreign.

One of the best things about WWOOFing is the variety of projects and the opportunity to learn valuable skills. Some of the popular types of WWOOF projects include:

• Winemaking
• Permaculture
• Animal care (horses and/or livestock)
• Planting and harvesting crops
• Sustainable agriculture
• Beekeeping
• Olive harvesting

There are numerous benefits that make WWOOFing as popular as it is. These benefits are not exclusive to the local community you’re helping, but also for yourself.

• Gain new skills: Volunteers can gain – or refine – practical skills in order to become more knowledgeable and capable in everyday situations or to start a new career.
• Contribute to sustainable living and animal welfare: Volunteers will gain insight into and contribute to sustainability initiatives in the community. Whether you practice regenerative farming or agroforestry, you’re helping locals to farm as ethically as possible.
• Cultural & language immersion: Traveling is one thing, but working with locals to achieve a common goal is another. Working towards a goal can help facilitate cultural and language immersion because you’ll be spending more time with locals and gaining an understanding of their objectives, lifestyle, practices, and so on.
• Travel the world on a budget: With accommodation and meals covered, your wallet doesn’t have much to worry about! Volunteering with WWOOF is a great way to travel because you’ll gain extensive insight into one place, and once you finish you’ll be in the perfect position to travel.
• Meet new people: Many WWOOF farms accommodate multiple workers, which can help introduce you to new people and form a close-knit community of volunteers.

Read more: 7 Benefits of Sustainable Tourism & How to Travel Responsibly

With so many factors to consider, it can be difficult to decide where to go, what to do, and how to do it. Here’s how you can WWOOF around the world!

1. Decide where to go: Consider the work you want to get involved in, your skills, and also the climate. Narrowing down projects of interest will then help you figure out where you want to go! From WWOOF.net, you can search the map and select a national or independent project You’ll need a membership to apply for these farming locations, and prices depend on the country, but they’re valid for a year after purchase. Traveling with someone? You can obtain a Dual Membership at a discounted price!
2. Search for and contact hosts: After selecting a specific country, you can search for hosts! How far in advance you’ll need to apply varies, with some requiring applications at least a year in advance. Introduce yourself to hosts and explain why the position appeals to you and what you hope to get out of the experience. Cast a bigger net and apply for multiple hosts, as some are more active than others on the site or posts may be outdated.
3. Confirm final details: Once you and your host are happy to proceed, you can confirm your arrival details and arrange transportation. Visa requirements vary according to your nationality and the country you’re visiting. While many can volunteer on a tourist visa in some countries such as the US, it’s technically illegal to do unpaid work on a tourist visa.
4. Pack your bags: Don’t overpack, but consider climate variables. It might not be sunny each day, and your host may require you to work through the rain and the cold. Bring water resistant clothes, shoes, and also clothes for hot and dry climates.
5. WWOOF!: Once you whose organic farm you’ll be helping, you can make the final arrangements to WWOOF abroad. Buy your train, plane, or bus ticket, and get ready for an adventure!

With around 90 countries to WWOOF in, it can be hard to decide where to go. While there are many different types of WWOOFing projects that exist all over the world, some countries may excel in particular forms of organic farms due to their climate, landscape, or culture.

Here are some of the best countries for WWOOF and some of their most popular projects.

It’s also important to consider the best time to go when selecting a country. However, the peak season for tourists doesn’t necessarily reflect the best time to WWOOF.

For example, while summer is from December to February in New Zealand, there are also plenty of opportunities for WWOOFing during its winter – from June to August. Similarly, Costa Rica’s rainy or “green season” from May offers plenty of work in its endless biodiversity. As WWOOFing grows in popularity, you’ll find that competition can be fierce during tourist seasons especially so try to be flexible with your dates.

Read more: Top 5 Countries to WWOOF on a Vineyard

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about WWOOFing.

While WWOOFing is generally safe, it’s important to take precautions wherever you are in the world. You should also consider safety with regard to the tasks you’ll be performing. Having medical insurance while abroad is a must!

If you’re concerned about safety, be sure to read reviews, and references, or opt for placements that are frequented by other travelers. Some WWOOF placements may specifically cater to a certain demographic – such as female travelers – to ensure their safety.

You can take additional screening steps such as calling your host in advance to ensure that it gives you a positive vibe. This will also give you the chance to discuss your expectations and ask questions about safety. Additionally, consider purchasing some additional traveler’s insurance which covers you in the event of injury or illness.

WWOOF membership costs vary according to the country you want to WWOOF in. While WWOOF memberships for countries such as Belgium, Czech Republic, and Spain can be as cheap as $15-$21 USD, other countries such as the US, Canada, and Italy may cost around $30-$40 USD. Dual memberships are a frugal option for friends or couples looking to WWOOF together.

While there is no upper age limit for WWOOFing, volunteers generally need to be at least 18 years of age. If you are under 18 years old, you’ll need to travel and share an account with a guardian. However, there are exceptions. In Ireland and Portugal, for example, you can WWOOF at 17 if you have parental permission through a letter. On the other hand, you must be 20 to WWOOF in Turkey.

While some positions will allow you to work for as little as a few days, some positions allow you to work for as long as 6 months, or as long as your visa will allow you to stay in the country. Time commitments can be discussed with your host.

Yes, you can volunteer with a friend or partner. In fact, WWOOF allows you to obtain a “dual membership” where you can share a membership or an account with another person at a discounted rate.

WWOOFing can be unpredictable; so while you should emphasize researching and planning your trip, you should always keep an open mind! Although it won’t always be easy, it’s a great opportunity for personal growth.

Not only will you learn something about yourself and farming, you’ll meet new people, experience a new corner of the globe, and develop deeper cultural insight. Also, remember that WWOOFing is just one of many ways to volunteer abroad. If you aren’t yet committed to the idea of WWOOFing abroad, check out the other ways in which you can volunteer around the world!

Read more about volunteering abroad: