Welcome
to the WWOOF program. WWOOF is a coordinating service, bringing
together travellers who are seeking to explore new cultures and
gain experience in organic growing and other rural activities, with
host farms/families. WWOOF organizations exist around the world,
beginning in Britain almost 30 years ago and now thriving in Canada,
Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Germany, Austria and many other countries.
We have been providing this service in Canada for over 12 years
and are delighted to extend this program into the United States.
WWOOFing is
a unique cultural exchange in that travellers of all ages can visit
communities throughout Hawaii and experience, for a short while,
real life on a farm or a rural business. WWOOFers gain from the
opportunities to learn about rural life, organic and other sustainable
growing techniques as well as being in a family situation. Our hosts
express delight and appreciation for the help they receive and the
pleasure of sharing their passion for organic growing with enthusiastic
visitors.
What
you need to know if you want to be a WWOOFer.
How do I
become a WWOOFer?
Complete the
application form on this web site and mail it to the address provided,
enclosing $15.00U.S. When we receive your application we will immediately
mail the booklet to you.
How long
can I expect to stay with a WWOOF host?
When you receive
your WWOOF booklet look through it to find hosts that are appealing
to you and in the areas you are interested in visiting. When you
have decided the approximate dates of your travel, contact the host(s)
directly and discuss your plans. How long you stay with a host is
up to you, and of course up to the host. With most WWOOF hosts you
are welcome to stay 1 week or longer. Some hosts request a minimum
of 2 weeks so that you can orientate yourself to the farm scene;
many volunteers stay 1-3 weeks then move on to another farm - thus
gaining a variety of experiences.
What experience
do I need?
You don't need
any farm experience at all. What you do need is a willingness to
learn, laugh and try your best. The hosts will guide and teach you.
Do I need
a visa to be a WWOOFER?
If you are an
American citizen of course you do not need to be concerned about
a visa. As a tourist, travelling from another country, you also
can enter the United States usually without a visa. Internationally
"WWOOFing"is recognized as a "volunteer activity". U.S. Immigration
laws on the issue of "volunteering" vs. "working" are somewhat unclear
- you certainly cannot work in the U.S. without the appropriate
visa, but the definition of "work" seems to sometimes include "volunteering".
Occasionally people have been refused entry to the U.S. because
the Immigration Officials have interpreted "volunteering" as equivalent
to "working". It is important that you be aware of this. It is up
to you to ensure you travel with the correct papers. We are not
responsible for any aspect of securing a visa.
WWOOF
Aims
- to get firsthand
experience of organic farming & gardening and to lend a helping
hand wherever needed
- to get into
the countryside and experience USA and its citizens.
- to help the
organic movement, which is often labour intensive and does not
rely on artificial fertilizers & pesticides.
- to make contact
with other people in the organic movement.
- to have a
wonderful enriching experience.
- to enable
people from all over the world to have a cultural exchange with
US citizens
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