World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms

[Reesha]

Well, there are no binding contracts here. You can leave if the situation is not good and you should register your complaints with the national Wwoof organization. I saw on my Wwoof independents site a list of hosts that have been suspended for complaints pending investigation.

I think you are right, but many bad situations are probably avoided by asking numerous detailed questions. There's also lots of good advice on the sites about how to avoid dire situations including making emergency travel arrangements, getting the proper insurance, finding out the necessary travel and visa requirements.

One thing that supposedly comes up often is what to say to customs as you enter a country. If you say you are volunteering on a farm it has made some customs officers suspicious enough to bar a person from entering. You're supposed to say that you're on holiday basically. I know I'll be saying that when I'm arriving in Copenhagen in March (because essentially I am).

[Biciclista]

you are certainly right that things could go south from both directions... I did a "family stay" in Sicily once that has probably jaded me for life...

I'm hoping to hear first hand here the experiences of people who have done this because despite my cynicism, I would love to hear good news.

[MillieNZ]

One of the main things that concerned SIL about WWOOF was concern about who she'd be staying with . However one of the highlights of WWOOF (in NZ that is) was how secure she felt at the places she stayed and the quailty of friends that she made through the farm stay.............. some of the places didn't suit her as well becuase of the work involved however she never made any negative comments that she was free labour of anything like that ????

she only had a positive expeirence so all good for WWOOF in NZ anyway

[Biciclista]

I also believe staying with english speaking people would help too.
Even though I was in Italy studying the language the language barrier made things a lot tougher.

[Reesha]

Typically in their descriptions they describe what languages they speak fluently or well... in Nordic Europe English is almost always on the list. I'd do all right on a farm where Dutch or French are the only languages but only because I have enough of a foundations that it would be easy to catch on.

[OakLeaf]

Just in time, here's another piece from the NYT, with links to three US farms that emphasize the -tourism more than the agri-.

Also, a portal site that features more diverse opportunities (but probably less screening) than WWOOF.

[Reesha]

See, when I think of agritourism, I think strictly of paying guests staying on farms for the pastoral setting. I see that some can actually contribute to farm activity, but I'd rather not skim the surface of it. I'd rather get deeper into it I think.

What I'm doing is one kind of tourism I suppose, but it feels more like a cultural exchange and volunteer work.

[Reesha]

http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes....ce/?ref=travel

This is another great article about Wwoofing/agritourism.

[shootingstar]

What I'm doing is one kind of tourism I suppose, but it feels more like a cultural exchange and volunteer work.

That's what it sounds like. Do let us know of your experiences next year!

[Reesha]

I am looking forward to sharing-- hopefully I'll get a new camera and take loads of pictures of everything. I'll just keep it on me while I'm working 8')

[Reesha]

Ooooo I just had a thought. I'm leaning heavily toward spending the summer in Belgium as I need to brush up on my Nederlands and many of my friends/host family members want to see me on the weekends and spend time with me.

So, I'm thinking about getting myself a folding bike that can travel with me to Europe that I can use to get back and forth to the train station from the farms.

Does anyone have any experience bringing a folding bike with them on a plane? I will obviously inquire in the folding bike threads, but methinks it's probably a bit easier than a full size bike.

[Reesha]

Also, found this amateur documentary on Wwoofing that's actually pretty explanatory and nicely done. It's called 'Because There Are Goats'

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/user/RobinMoo.../4/1nzgT9tLRpU

(You can find the other parts on this person's channel)

[Trek420]

Here's a bike tour of Oregon permaculture/organic farms:

http://www.commoncircle.com/schedule...maculture-tour

[Reesha]

It's official: I'll be spending two whole months in Bruges, Belgium on a self-sustaining family farm-- two parents, four kids, horses, cows, donkeys and goats with an extensive garden. Also-- cheese making! Woo!

[Biciclista]

wow, cheesemaking too! that's awesome. with a folding bike!