Part 2 of 2 Talking to HOS about WWOOF

Thanks to contacts made via WWOOF lots of lasting friendships have been made among volunteers and hosts, and many people have even changed their careers and lives. People who have done WWOOFing just for curiosity became organic consumers, others have become farmers and WWOOF hosts themselves, and some even work today for large agricultural organizations. People from cities have moved into the country, and this not only to sleep there. WWOOF is reversing the trend!

(How it works)

To participate in WWOOF the volunteer sends his application and membership contribution to the local WWOOF organization, and then he receives the local list of hosts. He then contacts the hosts that look interesting to him and tries to arrange a farmstay.

Arranging a farmstay and negociating the conditions is part of the WWOOFing experience. Usually a WWOOFer is helping 4 to 6 hours a day, but sometimes this is just not realistic, for example, when the hay harvest has to be brought in.

I still think the WWOOFer should ask for some extra time off when he has been working more than the usual 4 to 6 hours.

Because of these not very strictly defined rules the volunteer should not only have at least average physical fitness, but also some psychological stability. Therefore I would say that 18 years is the minimum age limit for a WWOOFer. The insurance that we recommend on our website requires as well a minimum age of 18 years. There is no upper age limit as long as the volunteer is fit enough.

I just mentioned the word insurance. WWOOF Switzerland does not provide any insurance. The only WWOOF organizations who do provide insurance so far are Australia and Italy. In Switzerland, if the WWOOFer is helping on a real farm, then the farm usually has an insurance for part time, harvest and family helpers. The insurance that we recommend on the WWOOF Switzerland website has been arranged by the coordinator of WWOOF Italy. This insurance covers personal damage and liability on WWOOF farms for 25 Euro per year which is a bargain, compared to other insurances, for example "worldnomads.com".

Apart from considering an insurance WWOOFers should not perform any dangerous tasks like operating machines other than a nylon string trimmer.

The last and most delicate subject I want to talk about is weather WWOOFing is legal. Today we live in a schizophrene world: 2001 was the international year of volunteers so volunteering should be something adorable. However if you are unlucky enough then some tax-authorities could say you are doing some work that is worth an income and therefore you must have a work permit and pay taxes. I defend the standpoint that WWOOF is educational active-tourism and every person who can be a tourist in a country should also be allowed to do WWOOFing. I feel that this is tolerated as long as no problems arise, but in Switzerland it is not official. There are only a few countries where WWOOFing is officially recognized. At the moment those are Australia and Canada. But Canada has a history of denying entry to travellers who said they were going to do WWOOFing. So I better would just not mention WWOOF when entering any country. Telling this I am not saying that one should not respect the immigration rules of any country. I just think it should be possible to do WWOOFing as a tourist. Weather WWOOFing is acceptable or not in any country can change as fast as the politics are changing.

I feel that Australia and Canada have recognised that WWOOFing creates quite a bit of tourism in rural areas and that this is good for the economy.

Because of the grey status of a foreign WWOOFer in Switzerland there are some farms who will only accept Swiss volunteers, others say they have to be at least from the European community, and there are also others who are more flexible.

I think the number of Swiss volunteers WWOOFing abroad and the number foreigners WWOOFing in Switzerland are about the same. Many Swiss who have been WWOOFing in other countries mainly for cultural exchange reasons when they were travelling, are becoming local WWOOFers when they are at home again.

The main objective of WWOOF is helping the organic farms and in exchange for practical knowledge about organic farming. Therefore WWOOF Switzerland is trying to accept only volunteers that will not be a burden for a farm. This is one of the reasons why we ask every candidate for a short letter explaining why he or she wants to become an unpaid volunteer.

As I have set it up for WWOOF Switzerland the farms do maybe not get as many WWOOFers as possible, but the ones they get are usually quite pleasant, and they are genuine volunteers and not just people looking for work. To me this is important, because I want that the farms have a good opinion about WWOOF volunteers, so that they remain listed in the WWOOF directory, happy to receive more WWOOFers.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• WWOOF
• Nonprofit

[mattwagman55]

Thanks for all the info!

[kylometa72]

Wwoof is educational, active tourism, and should be available to all persons.

[ooglizer]

wwoofing can save the world

[Xenthoid]

i'm rather late but from what i can tell the host is only responsible for providing work, the accomodations are basically well, basic. a tent or stay in the house of the farmer. i'm not sure how to be a host. but you should visit wwoof's website.

I'm thinking about doing it in turkey, morocco or USA.

[gypsybaby71]

what are the host's responsibilities? what type of accomodation is required? what do we need to do to become hosts? We recently met a wwoofer, and he explained a little to us. I think its an excellent idea and would like to know more.If anyone can help?

[mhattO]

i disagree

[pair11missjaia]

boring!