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Interview: Gerda Stauner

Wwoofing? Anyone hearing this term for the first time will probably have little to no idea what it means. But the dedicated community making use of the Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) service is growing steadily. The organization helps volunteers find organic farms to stay and work at and promotes the exchange of knowledge and culture. Therefore, WWOOF is creating a global community that seeks to practice organic farming. Founded in 1971, WWOOF is one of the first educational and cultural exchange programs in the world.

Today it is possible to wwoof in over 132 countries, and, that way, participate in the daily life of the hosts. While working as volunteers on the farm for about half of the day, wwoofers can learn about organic farming and sustainability practices. In return, the hosts offer their visitors accommodation and food, but no money is exchanged. WWOOF brings together from different corners of the world who share similar values and philosophies. The student Cosimo tried wwoofing for the first time this summer when he spent a few weeks on a farm near León in northern Spain. In the following he will speak about his experiences.

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Cosimo, you spent a few weeks in Spain this summer, and among other things, went wwoofing there. What exactly does the term wwoofing mean?

First and foremost, of course, it’s the acronym of the organization, which by now is used colloquially as an independent verb or even noun. Participants are referred to as wwoofers not only in English, but also in German or Spanish, and the original meaning of the word is fading into the background. A wwoofer is characterized primarily by his openness – on one hand for the many different challenges they have to master. But also for the close community between wwoofers and hosts that – necessarily – develops in a limited period of time. All the people I got to know during my time on the farm shared this quality. People from different walks of life who share a roof and every meal – if only for a short time. Helpfulness, communication, and, above all, having fun together go without saying.

Is there an age limit? Which people use the website?

Wwoofing is designed for people of all ages. Pupils who want to spend their summer vacation differently.  Or students who want to experience something new. Or someone who is already established in life and looking for a change of perspective. You’ll always find something suitable in the organizations broad catalogue. Anyone who is not of legal age usually needs a declaration of consent from a parent or guardian.

The farms can also be filtered according to parameters such as dietary habits or animal preferences. Only the target country should be known in advance, as each member country has its own website and membership – which, however, only costs 20 euros a year. I found the website to be very user-friendly, especially for first-time users. However, a lot of wwoofers are repeat users or people who have already gained experience with similar programs – which can only speak for the quality of the experience.

How exactly did you find the farm or facility? What criteria were important for your decision?

I did all my research on the WWOOF Spain website, filtering the many listings for my preferences. The most important things for me were a vegan diet and a self-sufficient farm without livestock. In terms of location, I was mainly looking for a rural region with plenty of peace and quiet. Each farm has its own profile in which the location, the work, and the hosts are presented. I searched the integrated map for farms that appealed to me and contacted them individually via the website. In doing so, it’s important to write a short message about yourself, focussing especially on what the farm in question has to offer. The hosts can find out most personal information through the previously created user profile. After a brief exchange via the website’s chat function, almost all details of my stay in Seisón de la Vega in the León region were finalized, and, after arrival, my daily routine would begin.

What did daily life and your work on the farm look like? Were there other wwoofers beside you?

Depending on the type of farm and the habits of the hosts, a WWOOF stay can have wholly different facets. The rule of thumb for me was to work 20 hours a week. I.e. four hours a day with the weekend off. Household chores were always being shared between everyone. To escape the afternoon heat, work was usually done in the morning after a shared breakfast. The main tasks included keeping the garden cultivated – for example by trimming trees and planting beds. Or sprucing up my hostess’s seminar house, including interior painting.

I usually spent my free afternoons going for a walk or swim, but often times also running errands or taking short trips to nearby towns. Because of the daily meals shared among us and the events we organized on the weekends, there was always plenty of company. Luckily I didn’t neglect time for myself, which I mostly spent following the European Football Championship that was ongoing at the time.

What motivated you to try this type of work? What did you take home with you?

The most appealing thing about wwoofing to me was the complete change of scenery, and I don’t think I’m alone with this among wwoofers. Nowadays, a life in the countryside and the connection to nature that often times goes hand in hand with it is very distant for the majority of people, but that makes it all the more desirable. WWOOF offers fantastic opportunities to get a taste of a different side of life. Or simply to take a break from everyday life, without costing one the same expenses as a traditional vacation. And whether you want to spend a few days, a couple of weeks, or even several months on one or more farms, WWOOF offers the means to gain valuable experience in places where you might not expect it.

For me, wwoofing, as a part of a trip to Spain, was of course a way for me to improve my Spanish. But I was also attracted to learning new skills and know-how in plant-based nutrition and self-sufficiency. I took home both of these from my time there. But what I will really remember the longest will be the whole experience – with all the people, places, and nuances I was able to get to know.

More Informations about wwoofing: https://wwoof.net/

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