local WWOOFing – the future

Nov 29, 2014

Over the last twelve months we have had several features about hosts or WWOOFers who have chosen to use the WWOOF network to connect with like-minded people at the local level. Given that this was very much where WWOOF started all those years ago it is something we would like to continue to support and encourage in 2015. 

There are many benefits for hosts and WWOOFers:

for hosts

  • Get regular help
  • Develop a local WWOOF crew
  • Encourage WWOOFers to think about their carbon foot print
  • Find new markets for your produce
  • Extend your social network
     

for WWOOFers

  • Keep your travel costs low
  • Follow a garden or farm through the seasons
  • Get a new perspective on your area
  • Extend your social network
  • Sleep in your own bed
     

So how do we get started? Well, we have just added a new field to the host profiles on our website; a tick box which enables you to indicate that local (or even day) WWOOFers are especially welcome; please check it out! If the idea really interests you feel free to amend your online description to say you are open to negotiating ‘local/day WWOOF’ exchanges, perhaps offering a bag of produce to take away in lieu of overnight accommodation. 

Similarly WWOOFers can now search for ‘local WWOOFing’ on the ‘Search for hosts’ page. 

Alternatively – if you’re a host needing help on a particular day, or regular basis, or someone who wants  to organise a ‘social’ for WWOOFers in their immediate vicinity … we can help you. A few tweaks of our database will allow us to find WWOOFers within a fifty mile radius of a particular post code. Hosts are welcome to email us local WWOOF-specific text to send out on their behalf. 

If the whole idea really grabs you – you could have some of our leaflets and flyers to distribute via local shops, like-minded organisations or events to recruit people, or even try to become a featured farm or host in your local paper or community magazine. To get more information on any of these ‘kickstarters’ for generating a stronger local WWOOF movement, please contact amanda@wwoof.org.uk.

Classifieds – Autumn Equinox ’23

Classifieds – Autumn Equinox ’23

Welcome to the WWOOF UK Classifieds section. Here, you can find postings from members and other friends of WWOOF UK regarding opportunities, job listings, property advertisements and more. Have something you’d like listed in our Classifieds section? Send us an...

Hive mind – letters to the editor – Autumn Equinox ’23

Hive mind – letters to the editor – Autumn Equinox ’23

Do you have a question for the ‘hive mind’? Do you have any answers to these questions? Do you have any top tips you want to share? Feel free to email the editor – editor@wwoof.org.uk Slugs galore! The latest question for the hive mind is...

Seasonal recipe – Autumn Equinox ’23

Seasonal recipe – Autumn Equinox ’23

Parsley Pesto Do you have a glut of parsley? We don't have enough customers for our luscious crop of parsley so we're enjoying it in bulk! But maybe you have a plant that's gone a bit mad in your greenhouse or herb garden and want to prune it back? Serves: 4 + •...

Barn to be wild

Barn to be wild

An opportunity to live in the Brecon Beacons Ten years ago I bought a dilapidated stone barn high on a hill in mid-Wales. I had been visiting the area for several years, staying in my campervan, walking and exploring. I started to look for somewhere to make a more...