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WWOOF is a world wide network of organisations that allow volunteers to live and learn on organic properties. WWOOF brings together Hosts and volunteers (« WWOOFers ») helping each other to make a healthier world. WWOOF also promotes cultural understanding of the many diverse peoples and cultures around the world through the intercultural exchange that takes place while sharing in the daily life of others … (full long text english Homepage).
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Contacts: links for regions/countries in left column.
History and Beginnings: WWOOF is an exchange network operating in many countries where accommodation, meals and learning are given in return for help to hosts. A WWOOF host invites people to come to their place to work usually about 4 to 6 hours a day in return for their daily food, boarding and the experience of sharing daily life with the people who live and work at the host. Stays of varying lengths are possible.
WWOOF began in the early 1970s in the UK, when a woman named Sue Coppard began the first WWOOF group. A few years after getting WWOOFing in the UK established, Sue travelled around the world spreading the idea. Now there are many WWOOF groups all over the world.
Each WWOOF group is a separate and independent organisation. There is no head office of WWOOFing in the world. Click on the menu item to the left « Groups Worldwide » to find the WWOOF group in the country you are going to
The acronym « WWOOF » origionally stood for Working Weekends On Organic Farms. These days some call it Willing Workers On Organic Farms or World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. Organic farming is the primary activity hosts do, however there a sometimes variations of this. In an effort to provide access to a greater diversity of experience, where it could be possible to learn and experience what might be called an organic lifestyle was recognised and in response some WWOOF groups have hosts that are for example, places like health and healing centers, pottery and arts, building and restoring buildings, organic restaruants, dealing with animals, eco villages, brewing and production of foods, nature guide centre, centers for the environment. To find out what kind of hosts the WWOOF group in the country you are going to has, check their website and write to the coordinator of that group to ask them.
Autonomous WWOOF groups operate in different countries, all of whom have their own ways of organisation. Fees for membership are about the same, ranging from about 20 US dollars to $50 US dollars for a one year membership, access to the list of hosts, sometimes a newsletter at certain intervals. Some offer discount fees for two people WWOOFing together, some don’t. The same with insurance, some memberships include it, and some don’t.
WWOOF groups around the world are recognised for the role they play for organic growers, tourism, and importantly the vehicle it is for people to travel and learn.
How it all began: … (full long text).