WWOOF UK has been around for over 50 years now, and during that time many WWOOF organisations have been created in different countries, all with a diversity of structures and approaches. As some of you may know, in recent years there has been a shared realisation of unifying WWOOF and discussions started back in 2000 of how this can be achieved.
Since that time, WWOOF groups have sought to meet every 4 years to cooperate more closely in order to strengthen the community and to protect the core values of the WWOOF movement.
These meetings have led to the creation of the website we all use – Common WWOOF Platform (CWP) version 1 & 2 – and the creation of the Federation of WWOOF Organisations (FoWO) of which the UK is a proud member.
This year’s meeting took place at a beautiful WWOOF Canada host farm: Terra Perma just outside Montreal, between the 14th and 18th September where 20 Countries were represented; Scarlett and Taryn represented us. This was a great opportunity to meet people from all over the world, some that we have been working with online for years!
We had discussions on a number of topics, including the host application criteria, the WWOOF mission statement, improving the review system, a proposal for international membership and presentations from the PR and IT committees, to name a few. We shared some of our own policies and procedures and learnt so much from each other.
Whilst no major decisions have been made, the meeting confirmed without a doubt that a diverse but unified WWOOF community is stronger than ever and that brighter days are ahead.
Here are a few photos from the meeting.
Becky from WWOOF Canada showing us the various shelters/cabins where we will be staying at Terra Perma.
Listening to how Terra Perma harvest their maple syrup.
WWOOF Canada clear stickers on a water bottle.
Francesco from WWOOF Italy giving a presentation.
Taking a hike in the woods to the mushroom forest.
A breakout session looking at host criteria of different countries.
Swing/folk band from the local area near Montreal played for us on the Saturday night.
Becky from WWOOF Canada talking/closing the last session of the meeting.
Taryn trying a cucamelon grown by Ivy from Terra Perma… they pickle them!
A big thank you to Taryn and Scarlett for recording the event in pictures and if you have any questions about FoWO or WWOOF UK, please feel free to get in touch: info@wwoof.org.uk
