WWOOF--USA

by Sam Allen

“WWOOF-USA” is a national chapter within a larger international community that promotes cross-cultural exchange in the world of organic agriculture. “WWOOF,” an acronym for Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms, is aims to connect organic farmers with affordable seasonal helpers. WWOOFing is essentially a way for young, non-tied-down people to take inexpressive long-term trips either in the U.S. or abroad. WWOOFers typically exchange 4+ hours of work per day in exchange for room and board (often in very rustic accommodations) and a small stipend that varies depending on the opportunity. WWOOFing provides a unique opportunity to visit and spend time in a region in a manner different from the typical tourist.

Unfortunately, WWOOF-USA requires a yearly membership fee to get a full directory of opportunities. However one can browse through them without being a member and look at the wise variety of places that one can go to WWOOF. There are also more than 50 of these opportunities in Oregon if one is not interested in traveling too far. One opportunity that I saw is on a small family farm near Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in Alaska. In exchange for a four-month commitment the farmer will cover all travel costs to Anchorage and use of a “reliable beater” for local travel in the Copper River valley. They’ll also let the WWOOFer stay in their “converted school bus” (probably like the one from "In to the Wild.") For this opportunity WWOOFers are even allowed to bring significant others or pets.

For more information visit http://www.wwoofusa.org/.

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