How WWOOF Works

The Basics

WWOOF-USA is an organization that facilitates volunteering on organic farms. The program is available to anyone 18 years of age or older. It doesn’t matter whether you’re an urbanite, professional, student, family, farmers, gardener, or someone who has never touched soil; you’re all welcome. WWOOF-USA publishes a directory of farms engaged in sustainable agriculture practices (hosts) that would like to welcome volunteers (WWOOFers) to participate in an educational and cultural exchange.

WWOOF farms offer a variety of educational opportunities, including growing vegetables, keeping bees, building straw bale houses, working with animals, and making wine. With hundreds of farms in all 50 states, as well as the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, there is something for everyone. It is an authentic way to immerse yourself in a new experience and come together with people from varied backgrounds and cultures- with no money exchanged between host and WWOOFer.

Once you become a member of WWOOF, you will receive a printed directory and access to the directory online. It is then the member’s job to contact hosts and see if he or she and the farm are a good match. Volunteers generally work for a half-day, participating in farm work and projects as needed. In exchange, farmers provide volunteers with meals, accommodations, and education. The length of stay on a farm is determined by the host and can vary from a few days to an entire season. Be sure to have lots of clear communication with your potential hosts, and listen to their hopes and expectations and express yours. This will guide you all into an agreeable situation.

Become a Member

Become a Host

Is Hosting WWOOFers Right for You?

WWOOF offers a rare opportunity for people to open their doors and share their knowledge with others from a variety of backgrounds. It relies on trust, respect, and hard work. Read below to determine if WWOOF is right for you.

Hosts welcome WWOOFers onto their property to help get work done with the intention of sharing knowledge and meeting new people. Being a WWOOF host may be appropriate for you if you:

• Are willing and able to provide a warm, safe, and welcoming environment for a volunteer.
• Are participating in organic or sustainable activities.
• Have projects and tasks that you could use help with.
• Are interested in sharing your knowledge and daily life with volunteers.

WWOOFers volunteer on host farms with the intention of helping to get work done while learning new skills and meeting new people. Being a WWOOFer may be appropriate for you if you:

• Are a respectful and courteous guest in the homes of others.
• Are interested in learning about sustainable and organic methods of existing.
• Are willing to work hard on projects and tasks presented to you.

How to Arrange a Visit

Once a WWOOFer has received access to the directory, they can begin searching for a farm that matches what they are looking for. At this time they can contact the host and attempt to arrange a stay. Both parties may want to begin with a trial stay of a few days and then extend the time if it is a positive experience. It is very important that clear communication happens at this time regarding:

• expectations for hours and length of stay
• tasks where help is needed
• accommodations and meal arrangement.

Once both parties are satisfied that they are a good match, a stay can be scheduled.

When a WWOOFer arrives it is very important that they show the host their directory as proof of membership. This is how we are able to ensure that only our members are presenting themselves as WWOOFers.