Perhaps you’re completely new to WWOOFing, and want to get a sense of what it’s like, or, perhaps you’re an experienced WWOOFer trying to find out what makes Harmony Homestead Farm one of the best WWOOFing experiences in Vermont? Well, we’ll try to help you answer all of your general WWOOFing questions right here.
- What is WWOOFing?
- What is a typical WWOOF experience?
- What is a typical day like?
- Do I get paid/ What does it cost to WWOOF?
- When can I WWOOF? How long do I WWOOF for?
- What rules must I follow as a WWOOFer?
- Is there TV/phone/internet access? What about laundry/showers/ect?
- Where else can I get more information?
What is WWOOFing?
WWOOF is typically defined as “World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms”, though it is sometimes said to mean “Willing Workers On Organic Farms”. The basic idea is that individuals make an arrangement with an organic farm to volunteer their labor in exchange for three meals a day, and a clean, dry place to sleep. Harmony Homestead providing lasting friendships, individualized learning exchanges, extremely memorable experiences, field trips, a diverse set of work, and much more. To learn more about WWOOFing, please visit wwoofusa.org. This will connect you to the main WWOOF website for the US, and you typically need to join their organization to be accepted to farms. Please use the link below to connect to the Harmony Homestead Farm WWOOF page.
http://www.wwoofusa.org/Farms/Details?UserId=8831119a-61dd-4c47-87f6-8341fd62af11
What is a typical WWOOF experience?
There is no such thing! Every WWOOF experience is created by many factors, so careful planning and research will allow you to make your WWOOFing experience anything you want it to be. The only real parameters for WWOOF farms (such as ours), are that we maintain completely organic practices. Aside from that, the individuals involved, location of the farm, length of time commited, and so many more factors create a fresh WWOOF experience. At Harmony, we have had WWOOFers range in age from eightteen to thirty (and always welcome older adults), stay for twelve hours to many months, and dedicate their energies from construction to artwork. One main philosophy of Harmony Homestead Farm is that your energy and personality are what matters most, not what experiences you have already had. We enjoy building an extended family instead of a workforce.
What is a typical day like?
This also differs farm to farm. Most WWOOF farms should give you some sense of schedule on their wwoofusa.org posting, but we recommend asking them directly to find the best fit for you. At Harmony, we usually follow a 5 1/2 work week, with variations as necessary (usually to accomodate specific recreational outtings). We try to follow a schedule that allows us to enjoy each others company, and find some personal time in the evenings. Currently, we tend to farm/gardening projects in the mornings on Saturdays and give most of th staff the afternoons off. Sundays is a project free day. Animals and plants do need care 7 days a week, (food, grooming, pasturing, water(ing) etc.) and of course, domestic needs are ongoing with each meal. It’s important to us that you get some personal time here and that you have a sense of being “off” when it is your time to be off. That said, even in the off times there are a few chores that are unavoidable for all of us such as dishwashing after a meal.
While it differs depending on the needs of the farm, the work day typically starts at 6 am. This is the time when we start the animal care for the day. The farm work & projects begin by either 7 or 7:30 depending on the time of year. While Vermont can get extremely cold, the mid-day summer sun can be brutal if engaging in a strenuous project, so we try to schedule the harder projects during the morning hours. While there is no way to predict what we’ll be doing on any given day, these projects might include chopping wood, constructing new buildings, working the soil, or building fences. Some WWOOFers will also find themselves tending to the animals, or working in the gardens. Mid-morning brings a chance to eat a second breakfast, and replenish your energy.
Lunch at noon is always a treat. Between Gail, and the many excellent cooks we’ve had join us, lunches have always been delicious, nutritous, and great for the soul. Last summer, we most often ate outside under the large canopy, enjoying hearty meals, and each others company. We can always accomodate specific diets, with advanced notice. After lunch is a chance to change gears. Perhaps you have an art project you want to contribute, the Garden Manager needs extra hands pulling veggies for the CSA, the Kitchen Manager needs help preparing dinner, or Ben has some projects in the shade of the trees. Early afternoon brings an end to the formal work day.
Depending on the day’s start time, work ceases around 3. This is designed to allow the WWOOfers to relax, finding solo respite in the farm’s many soothing spaces, or to bond with the other farm members. We have many group recreational activities, and are always looking for suggestions. If the day is right, our WWOOFers might pile in to a car, and go swimming and cliff-jumping in a nearby river. Many of our WWOOFers also take this opportunity to take a bath, since Harmony currently only hosts outdoors showers.
Five o’clock brings dinner. There is nothing better than eatting meals prepared almost exclusivly with food you’ve grown yourself! After dinner is more recreation time. This can mean anything from more activities on the farm, to field-trips to nearby Vermont events and concerts (usually free). These are always chosen by interest levels. Before bedtime the animals need a little more attention, and this is usually done by those interested in learning more about animals care.
The “weekends” on a farm can be a little different from what people are used to. Unlike a 9-5 job, a farm never closes. At minimum, the animals need care every day of the week. This can often be done quickly, especially if everyone ptches in. The weekends are a great time for those new to farm life to learn new skills. Paul, Gail, Ben, and others are always willing to use free time to teach WWOOFers further in their interest areas. The weekends are mainly a chance for us to all enjoy each other’s company and conversations, and to enjoy our beautiful Vermont surroundings. Our WWOOFers will get to choose whether they want to take trips to local attractions and events, or stay on the farm, enjoying the endless beauty of Vermont. Many Saturdays have been spent picking blackberries along the path to the top of the mountain, picknicking in the woods, lounging in hammocks, and sharing stories and song around a campfire.
Do I get paid/ What does it cost to WWOOF?
While this too varies from farm to farm, there is rarely pay given to the volunteers. The exchange of ideas and learning experiences is considered motivation enough. On the other hand, there is little to no cost to WWOOF! Once you arrive here, all of your daily needs will be provided. We place great value on every member of the farm feeling at home, and this includes never going without.
There are typically only two exceptions. The first would be outtings. While we try to gear our outtings toward free events, we choose democratically, and may attend low-cost happenings. Vermont and nearby New York State both provide many amazing museums, concerts, fairs, parks, historical sites, tours, and more. Anyone who wishes is of course free to stay on the farm and relax, enjoying the many beautiful natural features and the games and activities that we provide.
The second exception would be gear. While we require that this all be discussed before you arrive here, we provide a clean/dry tent, a cot, and some other necessities. We sometimes exceed our typical capacity with one-or-two day WWOOFers, and run out of tent space, etc, so we insist that you communicate with paul before arriving. If you are interested in joining our WWOOF family, we will provide you with a list of required and necessary gear to bring with you. The list doesn’t contain anything unusual, and is largely what one would bring on a long camping trip. We don’t want cost of gear or travel to stop anyone from having a wonderful experience, so we can suggest ways to find the means if need be, but unfortunately, we can’t provide this gear ourselves. More more information about cost, please use the link at the bottom of the page to visit “from work to WWOOF”.
As stated in the “previous experience” post, we are looking for a Garden Manager, and a Kitchen Manager, both of which are compensated positions.
When can I WWOOF? How long do I WWOOF for?
As always, this depends on the farm you WWOOF at, and your own commitment. There are WWOOF farms that welcome stays as short as a few hours, and farms that want commitments of months or years. Once you have decided what is right for you, you can search the WWOOFusa.org website by short or long stay, or search by state to find a time commitment that fits your schedule. Harmony Homestead Farm is a nice mix. While we don’t currently have the facilities to accomodate WWOOFers in the middle of winter, we look for volunteers from late winter (feb/mar) until early winter (nov). The beginning of spring and the growing season are the busiest times here, but we operate as a homestead year-round, so please contact paul atpaulbrotchie@hotmail.com if you have a particular interest in learning experiences, or timing.
We also welcome WWOOFers of different time commitments. We understand that different individuals are looking for different experiences, and try to provide what suits you best. From a few hours to a few months, Harmony Homestead Farm wants to fit the right people into our family. Those coming for very short stays will most likely help out in the garden, the kitchen, or other tasks that allow them to become an active member of our community the quickest. Those staying for longer periods will find themselves following their interests, and learning in an area that speaks to them. Whether it be animals, construction, homesteading, gardening, running a CSA, cooking for a farm, operating an apiary, or any of the other numerous areas to learn, WWOOFers who stay for longer terms will be able to direct their own experience as much as possible.
Many of our past WWOOFers have shown up with a plan that changes once they fall in love with Harmony (which happens in the first day or two). Your plans are always negotiable with Paul and Gail. We strive to make the right fit for everyone involved, and we understand that sometimes long commitments upfront can be daunting without experiencing Harmony firsthand. We very strongly recommend that you fully discuss your thoughts with paul when looking into WWOOFing here, so he can work to make the right fit for you.
We’ve found that the typical stay for many WWOOFers in vermont tends to be a few weeks. For these volunteers, we work hard to simultaneously integrate their skills into where the farms needs them the most, and to provide as many opportunities as possible to learn in desired areas. The farmers and the managers are always willing to use free time to help you explore new experiences on the farm. Perhaps you show up during the harvest season, and you most benefit the farm by working in the garden supplying the CSA, local markets, and the farm itself with delicious, beautiful, organic produce, but your interest realy lies in the care of chickens and horses. In this situation, you would most likely start in the garden, and be offered the choice to use your free time to learn from Paul or Ben about animal care, until you can operate by yourself. We never want anyone feeling as though they are being forced to do tasks they don’t want to, so we provide the ability to increase your areas of skill.
What rules must I follow as a WWOOFer?
As is the pattern, this differs from farm to farm, as well as state to state and country to country. With about fifty countries with official WWOOF organizations, and WWOOF farms in every state of the USA, local and federal laws vary and should be researched if you have questions. In Vermont, The legal drinking age is 21, and there is no legal use of drugs, including marijuana. Other than that, it will depend on the farm. At Harmony, we encourage open discussion of concerns and problems, and as of yet (knock on wood) haven’t had problems which required instituting new rules. The existing rules at Harmony regard safety, privacy, or general politeness. We are a very open and inviting lot, and what is acceptable can change depending on the group present. We enjoy allowing all members of our farm family to shape our community.
Is there TV/phone/internet access? What about laundry/showers/ect?
Again, please refer to farm postings when determining what fits best for you. Many countries that operate WWOOF will be almost entirely without what an American might consider “standard”. It’s not for us to say what type of accomodations are best for you, so please research fully before traveling.
At Harmony Homestead, we have access to all amenities typically enjoyed in the US, but not necessarily in their standard form. Paul and Gail have made concious efforts to reduce their impact on the earth and the environment, and taken steps to reduce their involvement in eco-destruction, consumerism, and technology dependence. Harmony Homestead is working to join the ranks of Vermont’s pioneers operating completely off the grid, by using wells on the property, continuing to expand the food we grow on site, and using solar energy to power our energy needs. We are currently tied with a single line into the power grid, but are planning on our first solar panels this summer, and are planning on drilling a third well which will feed our farm through a gravity feed. At present, our electricity needs are minimal, but we always aim for fully sustainable practices.
We have both phone and internet on the property, though the computer is traditionally for business needs only. If an emergency or urgent situation arises, we can usually find an arrangement that works, but we simply cannot afford to pay for long WWOOF phone calls, and we need the computer for business needs. We do understand that you may need to send a quick e-mail to your family or to a future farm stay, or that you may need to check the local train schedule, but we urge you to plan ahead for most contingencies, and most importantly to discuss your planned computer needs with Paul and Gail. We do have wireless access near the buildings, so those with a laptop can use that freely. Last year there was usually at least one WWOOFer with a laptop, and we never had a WWOOFer who went without necessary internet access. While keeping in mind the business needs of the farm, we do allow phone use, with calling cards. Calling cards are extremely inexpensive, and available in most grocery stores. Due to our rural location, no cellular carriers provide service at the farm. Some phones pick up service within a short drive, but it should not be relied upon. One of the goals of Harmony Homestead is to allow our community to enjoy the gorgeous Vermont nature all around us, and the joy of interacting with the others in our community without the need for frequent technology interruptions. While we do occasionally watch a movie for an evening activity, we usually prefer sharing stories to television, and playing music to playing the radio. The farm has several hiking trails, a scenic overlook atop the mountain, many places to meditate/read/practice yoga/work on art, plenty of group activities including (but certainly not limited to) archery, horseshoes, croquet, and board games, as well as two firepits and endless possibilities for additions.
Our current facilities are a clean and well designed outhouse, which is odor-controlled and set back from the main living spaces. We have begun work on installing a septic system, and plan to install plumbing when we are able. As stated in an above section, we often use our river outting to lather on the Dr. Bronner’s and clean ourselves up. On site, we do have a solar shower, which is a bag filled with water, heated by the sun. Living on a farm, it is easy to live happily with less showers than typical in a city. We do not have laundry facilities on site, due to the energy draw, but we do make trips to local laundromats or friends who let us use their machines. We have yet to have a WWOOFer that we weren’t able to accomodate in this area, and who wasn’t happy living this lifestyle.
Where else can I get more information?
We hope that you’re asking this question often. Here are some great places that provide further information about WWOOFing:
http://gogreentravelgreen.com/volunteering-abroad/11-things-to-know-before-you-wwoof/
http://matadornetwork.com/change/a-first-timers-gudie-to-wwoof-ing
http://matadornetwork.com/change/4-questions-to-ask-before-wwoofing
The following site is a blog being written by two WWOOFers traveling through the US. Their excellent blog has been featured on WWOOFUSA.ORG and should sheds insight into what types of experiences are out there. Their “getting started” page is a great resource for those starting out. http://www.fromworktowwoof.com/
“Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow.” -Douglas Firebaugh
Harmony Homestead Farm 