Budget Travel and Volunteer Opportunities Abroad

World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) is an organization born from one woman's desire to support the organic farming movement in England. In 1971, Sue Coppard arranged an informal exchange program with organic farms in the Sussex area of England and students at Emerson College. During weekends, students would volunteer their time and labor at different organic farms; by volunteering, they took part in the organic movement and gained experience and knowledge about farming. This volunteer exchange program quickly grew in popularity, blooming into World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms as we know it today.

With the overwhelming popularity of WWOOF, the volunteer exchange program has expanded internationally. Volunteers interested in travel abroad and international cultural exchange now have the opportunity to visit countries all across the globe. There are WWOOF affiliated programs across the world, from Kenya to Chile, the United Kingdom to the United States. WWOOF also has a venue for volunteers to connect with non-WWOF affiliated organic farms in many countries.

Unlike many volunteer and travel opportunities abroad, WWOOF is unique in that there is only a very small fee of $10-$20. In order to access the full database of organic farms affiliated with WWOOF, volunteers must pay that small fee. WWOOF does not charge any other fees. As a volunteer, you are expected to purchase your own flight, but that is usually the extent of your financial contribution to the volunteer travel and farming experience.

WWOOF is unique in that it really is a purely exchange-based international program. Affiliated organic farms normally do not pay for your services, and you do not pay for your experience. This does not mean volunteers do not get compensation, but compensation is not monetary and is given in the form of room and board. The affiliated organic farms offer a range of accommodations from rustic to luxurious, so volunteers often stay in private rooms, remodeled barns, trailers, or tents. International volunteers will often use outdoor kitchens (or camp-kitchens), compost toilets or outhouses, solar showers or bucket bathes. You should choose your volunteer destination based on your needs in these respects. Most organic farms offer meals to volunteers, and generally farms will only contribute vegetarian and/or vegan meals, unless the farm itself raises animal meat. You may be expected to prepare your own meals. At the very minimum, farms offer volunteers all the fruit and vegetables they can eat from the harvest.

WWOOF's website connects volunteers with international organic farms. By paying a small fee, volunteers will have the opportunity to travel to different countries and help at organic farms that need assistance weeding, harvesting, planting, cultivating, repairing barns, feeding and watering animals, etc. Most farms request at least a one week commitment, while others expect more like 4 months. Organic farms need the most help during their growing seasons, which in the United States is April-October. Volunteers work at organic farms internationally that range in size from an acre to 300 acres. Some of these farms are start-ups, while others have been running for years, others have booths at the farmer's market, and some offer Community Supported Agriculture Programs (CSAs).

Depending on the farm you choose, volunteers will be expected to contribute a certain number of hours per week. Most organic farms request around 20 hours a week, giving volunteers afternoons and weekends off. Others ask for more or less. This gives volunteers, particularly international volunteers, time to travel, sight-see, or just relax. Many owners or family members at organic farms express willingness to show their volunteers around the town or nearby cities. Remember that this is an exchange program, and most farms want their volunteers to have the best experience possible.

Volunteers have a wide-range of international and domestic opportunities at their fingertips. Because most organic farms cover room and board, volunteers can live without dipping into savings. This is a huge advantage for those wanting to travel to different countries without spending a lot of money. So if you find yourself with some free time and an itch to travel internationally (or even domestically), look into WWOOF and you will have the opportunity for an travel and volunteer amazing experience.