World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) is a worldwide organization that connects volunteers with organic farmers. As a former WWOOFer of Aloha Farms and Meditation Center in Hilo, Hawaii, I have spent days harvesting fresh honey, swinging machetes at banana trees, exploring new towns, and meeting new faces. The list is in truly inexhaustible. If you're wanting to travel on a budget or acquire practical knowledge about organic farming practices, sign yourself up for an unforgettable cultural and educational exchange.
Traveling on a budget isn't easy, especially in college. If you're looking for a wallet-friendly way to spend your summer abroad, the WWOOF Organization provides a way to travel on a budget. The work you do is voluntary, but the farm owners will host and feed you in compensation for your work. With 118 different countries to choose from, the program gives you freedom to pick a location that suits your preferences. If you plan your farm itinerary smartly, you can farm hop, allowing you to see many places in a short time.
I only needed to purchase my plane ticket, personal food items, and a small laundry fee per cycle. The quality of food and housing, however, depends on the particular farm, so don't shy away from asking the host questions about their workload and accommodations. After working in Hilo for about a month, I made arrangements with my farm host and traveled West to the city of Kona on a solo backpacking trip. I was really on a budget and hitchhiked part of the way; overall, it was safe and semi-enjoyable, but public transportation is a safer bet and worth the 75 cents.
Aloha Farms and Meditation Center can house over a dozen people at one time. During my stay, I shared space with just six other women: one from California, two ladies from Illinois, two from Japan, and one from my home state, Oregon. The WWOOF Organization put me in a position to meet like-minded friends and farmers who shared similar perspectives and lifestyles. I have met up with them throughout the years and found that the relationships I cultivated on the farm carry more depth than many I make today. If you have the option of staying in your hometown for the summer or discovering some new stomping grounds, choose the latter. There are plenty of farms in Oregon, too, making it possible for locals and tourists alike.
While many of my days were spent working in the soil, they weren't all full of fire ants and white flies. It was a time of reflection. Not to mention that I didn't receive cell-phone service. If you're wanting to WWOOF, consider staying off technology during your trip. Aloha Farms also facilitated weekly yoga and meditation courses for all WWOOFers, both of which are wonderful practices to listen a little more deliberately to your own self. I learned that gardening (and most things in life) is about the process, not the progress. The progress comes in due time with more appreciation and less expectation.
When choosing a farm, be picky! Each land carries its own perks and pits. Have a strong sense of the type of experience you are seeking. Many focus on outdoor labor; others prioritize community outreach, such as selling produce at the local farmer's market. If international agriculture is your intention, consider the fruits, vegetables, and livestock native to the land. The WWOOF community shares the wisdom of local sustainability to achieve global nourishment. Whether you're hoping to spend your days pruning olive orchards in Italy or cultivating semi-curado cheese in Spain, life on the farm awaits you.
