Published by City Farmer, Canada's Office of Urban Agriculture

WWOOFing in Canada

and Around the World

WWOOF Canada (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms)
PO Box 85 Procter, BC
V0G 1V0 Canada
E-mail: admin@wwoof.ca
Website: http://wwoof.ca
Telephone: 250.354.2942 Pacific Standard Time (PST) GMT -8
Skype: wwoof.canada

WWOOF International Check here for up-to-date information about WWOOFing around the world.

WWOOF - Willing Workers on Organic Farms

WWOOF is an exchange: in return for our help on organic farms, gardens and homesteads, (full time and quite hard!) we receive 3 wholesome meals, accommodation - bring sleeping bags, and, if necessary, transport to and from the local bus station.

Wwoof (wuf), v. [O.E. woef, to travel in search of organic farms; to pull weeds in exchange for alms.]
Wwoofer, n. one who wwoofs.
the Shorter Oxford Dictionary

WWOOF aims

• To get firsthand experience of organic farming and growing, and to lend a helping hand wherever needed.

• To get into the countryside and experience Canada and Canadians.

• To help the organic movement, which is often labour-intensive and does not rely on artificial fertilizers for fertility or persistent poisons for pest control.

• To make contact with other people in the organic movement.

• To have a wonderful, enriching experience.

The ideal WWOOFer

• is content to work alone for several hours on one job, appreciating the meditation and rhythm it provides, without complaining of boredom

• finds the space and quiet of the countryside comfortable and refreshing

• enjoys their own company and is intent on developing a sense of humour when with others

• susses things out by looking and listening and sometimes taking initiatives

• is sensitive enough to see that intellectual discussions can be energy drains at midnight

• refrains from constantly demanding "what next?" or "why?" and appreciates that farming is 'all go' or 'rest while you can'!

• recognizes that WWOOF hosts are human beings with failures and fatigue

• knows that spades should not be used as levers for boulders and that fixing them is yet another chore, another expense

• works out that if five people share the same house, chances are that the solid fuel central heating will only provide enough water for one bath each and two loads in the washing machine a week AND this is ecologically sound

• realizes that a short hot shower can be sufficient, rather than a long one, because it costs money to create hot water.

• tries to identify with the host's vision and goals therefore looking upon his/her help as a contribution rather than "work"

• tries to seek an open line of communication with the host even if something really is not understandable or bothersome

• will also help out in the preparation of meals and/or cleaning up after wards, because the cook would also like to be supported

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