Wwoofing has some very positive aspects methinks *(:>*

[haikuman]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23683298

Wwoof farming: Working the soil in far-off lands
By Hugh Schofield
BBC News, Normandy


In 1971 a secretary from London called Sue Coppard placed an ad in the papers. She was looking for a chemicals-free farm where she could spend her weekends, helping out and learning about the soil.

Today her initiative has been transformed into a vast international network, highly regarded by those who follow these matters for its role in promoting the organic lifestyle.

The Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms movement - commonly known as Wwoof - offers positions for some 80,000 volunteers on 12,000 host farms in more than 100 countries.

The deal is simple. Volunteers - or Wwoofers - are given board and lodging for an agreed period, and in return provide a pair of hands.

The farmer gets physical help and on labour-intensive organic farms this can make a major difference.


The Wwoofer gets to live in a foreign land and, in addition, picks up valuable knowledge about growing and preparing food the natural way.

The movement has long been familiar to devotees but in the last few years - largely thanks to the economic recession - influence has been spreading.

[Fritz]

cool and interesting. thanks for that.

[nwyaker]

Been there, done that in Portugal. Careful screening of sites would be my advice - not all was as described, promised by the hosts. In fact, one was a nutcase ( not in a good way).

[davester]

My daughter did that in Australia. Unfortunately, there are too many scammers. Some of the "farms" are not farms and some of the "farmers" are just jerks looking to get some free labor to fix up their run down homes.

[cbelt3]

Mom has an intern this summer who is attending a local college and wanted to learn organic farming techniques. She's living in the guest room and is paid $10 per hour. I met the young lady- very nice , and a friend if one of my nieces.. So it's basically a summer long paid sleepover with her friend and some work . Mom is all business , but very nurturing , do its a good deal for both of them .