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World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms
Have you got what it takes to be a WWOOFer?
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Photos courtesy of WWOOF Japan |
Where did you stay on your last vacation? Whether it was a high-end resort, a budget-friendly hostel or even a campsite, chances are you paid for the pleasure. But if you’re willing to spend a little time and elbow grease, you can have free room and board all over the world. And you might even learn something in the process.
World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) was started in 1971 by a London secretary named Sue Coppard, who felt that people living in the city needed a way to enjoy the countryside. Coppard initially arranged a working weekend at a bio-dynamic farm in Sussex for herself and a couple of other people. The participants volunteered their time and muscle in exchange for lodging and the chance to learn about organic farming. At first, the farm managers were skeptical, thinking the townies would be more of a hindrance than a help. But the weekend was such a success that Coppard and the others were invited back.
Soon, more organic farmers and smallholders were willing to take on volunteers, and the movement grew. In fact, there are now official WWOOF organizations in over 40 countries, including Japan, with independent branches in many others. The range of hosts has also expanded to include not only organic farms, but other eco-friendly independent businesses and craftspeople.
WWOOF is essentially a broker and guarantor, connecting willing hosts and volunteers and maintaining a membership program that ensures both sides get the most out of the experience. First, volunteers (commonly referred to as WWOOFers) must fill out an application form in the country where they want to volunteer, and then pay an annual membership fee (¥5,500 in Japan). Members gain access to a database of available hosts, who have been vetted by WWOOF. WWOOFers contact the hosts directly for details and to make arrangements. Once at their destinations, they spend around 6 hours a day working for their host and are free to spend the rest of the time as they like. In exchange, the host provides a clean place to sleep and all meals. Hosts and WOOFers alike report back to their WWOOF organization, which monitors whether the membership requirements are being fulfilled.
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WWOOF Japan takes a particularly hands-on approach. “All hosts report to us monthly about the individual WWOOFers they have had and plan to have next month, the work the WWOOFers did, any problems experienced, and more,” a spokesman says. “This degree of attention to detail is unheard of in most other WWOOF organizations; many are in contact with their hosts just once a year to take payment from them and [see] if there are complaints.” In addition, WWOOF Japan maintains extensive files on each host so that WWOOFers will be able to find an appropriate match for the experience they want to have.
In fact, choosing where to go might be the most difficult part of the whole process. WWOOF Japan’s hosts include organic farms, health and healing centers, pottery and arts practitioners, organizations that work to build and restore traditional homesteads, organic restaurants, martial arts schools, people working with animals, teahouses, eco villages, fishermen, beekeepers, nature guide centers, sea kayakers and more.
WWOOF Japan also places a strong emphasis on cultural exchange. “In terms of finding access to longer-term resources, there can be few better situations than living with a Japanese family,” the spokesman says. “Ask yourself to what extent you will have genuine and meaningful experiences in Tokyo or Osaka amongst the McDonald’s burger joints and tourist traps with a million other lost foreign travelers. If you spent even just a day or two WWOOFing, it would be the best ¥5,500 you would have spent on your travels.”
Sure beats the hell out of a continental breakfast and a complimentary toothbrush.
For more information on WWOOF Japan, see www.wwoofjapan.com. For information on WWOOF organizations in other countries, see www.wwoof.org.
| Village Voices |
■ Renewable energy has become something of a buzzword these days, but whether you are a businessperson interested in new avenues of investment or just an individual curious about clean alternatives to fossil fuels, you can learn more about the topic at the Renewable Energy Tokyo Fair 2009. The three-day event, organized by the Japan Council for Renewable Energy, offers a host of exhibitions, seminars and conferences on forms of sustainable energy and their applications.
June 24-26, 10am-7pm. Free. Makuhari Messe, 2-1 Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba. Nearest Station: Kaihin Makuhari. See www.renewableenergy.jp for more details. JO
■ The Peninsula Tokyo continues its “2009: A Year of Giving and Receiving” campaign with an eye-opening offer: a night’s stay in a deluxe room for just ¥2,009, including tax and service charge. Just ring up the hotel (www.peninsula.com) from 9am on the first day of the month from July-December, and you may be one of ten lucky winners. All proceeds from the promotion will be included with The Peninsula Tokyo’s year-end charity donations to Make A Wish Japan and local breast cancer charities.
Tel: 03-6270-2200 (dedicated line; calls to other Peninsula Tokyo numbers not accepted). www.peninsula.com ST
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