Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) is a network of organic farms around the world. People, who are willing to help out, impart their knowledge about organic agriculture and learn about the ways and means of organic farming from the owners of the farm. The idea started in 1971 by Londoner Sue Coppard. She was missing the countryside life she had when she was a child that she thought it would be nice to spend a few days in a farm in exchange for her services. She was able to get a couple of individuals to do it with her through an ad and that weekend they spent their time helping out in a Sussex farm, whose owners were at first adamant with the idea of city folks working in their fields. Despite that initial thought, Coppard and the others were told they were welcome to come back any time they wanted to.
With over 100 WWOOF national organizations and WWOOF Independents (those that have no national organization) around the world, the network was able to build engagements among farmers and individuals centered on the common goal of nourishing and shaping a more sustainable manner of living. The arrangement is very simple. People from anywhere in the world are welcome to help out in any WWOOF host, volunteers cover their fare but not the food and accommodation expenses. There is a minimal annual membership fee being asked by the national organization basically to support the administration of their website and their office. The volunteers and the hosts are asked to lay down their expectations from each other first before finally agreeing to continue with the endeavor. Although there have been a number of setbacks, there is no doubt that WWOOF is giving the hosts and volunteers an opportunity for new learning, friendships and the chance to make the earth a better place to live in.
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