Update on this year’s Taster Days
We have now successfully run a couple of brilliant Taster Days this year and have organised two more for the 4th of October. One will be at The Nursery who are hosts on the outskirts of York; an organic market garden growing a wide range of fruit and vegetables and ornamental plants. The other is at hosts Lower Shaw Farm who are a co-op and educational centre in Swindon, growing vegetables and keeping sheep, hens and pigs as well as running residential courses, learning holidays and activity days. Both these hosts have been members of WWOOF UK for many years and these two ‘different flavours’ of Taster Day will be a fantastic opportunity for anyone thinking about joining us to ask questions and dispel any niggling doubts that might be holding them back from taking that leap into the unknown.
The most recent Taster Day was at Lower Arboll Croft near Tain on the northeast coast of Scotland and this is how host, Fuggo, described the day:
We waited in anticipation for the first guests to arrive. Tea, coffee and biscuits ready in the
small marquee as you never know what the weather will be.
This was our first time hosting a WWOOF taster day, although we have been hosts for over
20 years. Eleven people booked. Sadly two phoned to say their vehicle had broken down, but
otherwise everyone found us and it became clear that we were all excited and willing to chat.
We had a couple wanting to host and a range of ages for the potential volunteers. The main
thing I have come away with is that this is a community, a supportive and open minded
society. Despite what the media might hurl in our faces daily, here we are, strangers willing
to trust, learn and eat together. Despite our differences we can feel more positive and learn
new approaches to life, growing food, sharing stories and experiences.
The pictures [above] show some of the group fortified with lunch and cake, sorting and weeding our
baby trees and picking hazel nuts.
We’d like to say a big thank you to Fuggo and Geoff for hosting the Taster Day and for writing this review on how the day went and providing us with these wonderful photos.
WWOOF UK Annual General Meeting 2025
We can announce that this year’s AGM will be on Monday 27th of October and will be an online event via Zoom from 7pm – 9pm. We’re really excited about the meeting and this year is going to be a little different from anything we’ve organised before. This time we’ll be gathering your questions for discussion at the AGM in advance of the meeting. Whether it’s about our international work, safety and support for members, or the future of WWOOFing in the UK, this is your space to be heard. And what’s more there’s a prize to be won!
Read the full article about the AGM 2025 here.
WWOOF International Meeting in France
Three of our staff team attended this important gathering of administrators from national WWOOF organisations around the world and as promised we have shared the experience from the four day gathering. Our co-ordinator Harriet Knight has written a beautifully illustrated article describing the event.
Follow this link to the article to read Harriet’s vivid insights from the meeting, including plenty of gorgeous photos from behind the scenes and views of the beautiful eco-farm near Lyon where this extraordinary gathering took place.
Read the full report from the international meeting in France here.
We have vacancies for new trustees
Are you passionate about sustainable living, organic growing and building community? We are seeking new volunteer trustees to join our board. As a trustee, you’ll help guide the strategic direction of the organisation, ensuring we stay true to our values while continuing to grow and support our network of hosts and WWOOFers.
We’re especially keen to hear from people with experience in any of the following areas: governance/legal, finance, fundraising, marketing or digital communications – but most importantly, we’re looking for people who share our commitment to sustainable agriculture.
Follow this link for more information on becoming a WWOOF UK trustee and how to apply.
Welcome to new hosts
These lovely hosts have joined our UK WWOOF community since our last newsletter was published and we hope their experiences of hosting will be rewarding, fulfilling and of course fun!
Hawkers Farm – Organic farm in Dorset providing pasture for cattle and extending wildlife habitats. Hosts also run a sustainable sewing hub in a converted barn events space.
Forgorig – Smallholding deep in the countryside of the Scotland border country. House on 3 acres with large orchard garden and soft fruit growing area.
Wester Blairtua – 2 acre smallholding in the Scottish Highlands restoring the organic food production to former glory. Self-sufficiency project with vegetable beds, sheep and hens (and a cat!)
Combe Head Meadow – Regenerative smallholding in Mid Devon. Seven acres of south sloping meadow, orchard and vineyard with spectacular Dartmoor views.
Kirkmabreck Burn – Creating a food forest with a difference in Dumfries and Galloway. Aiming for self sufficient and sustainable living.
Grange Project – A rewilding project in Monmouthshire with a community market garden on 80 acres.
Northdown Orchard – Organic vegetable farm in the Hampshire countryside. Veg box scheme and home to a herbal medicine charity.
Mill Farm – Cider orchards and cider making on a Somerset smallholding. Vegetable production and creating habitat for wildlife.
Songbird’s Nest, The Glasshouse Nurseries – Family home in Devon on 2.4 acres with large polytunnels, glasshouse, pond and orchard (and dog!) Rewilding and self-sufficiency growing vegetables using no dig approach.
Keep in touch with us
We’ve created a page where you and your friends can sign-up to receive our newsletters as a way to keep in touch with us. Those with an active membership will receive our newsletters automatically but we also produce a non-members’ edition to help those thinking about joining and for staying in touch even when your membership has expired.
This is the link to subscribe to our newsletter
Also, as you know, social media is a great way to help promote WWOOFing and to show the world what we do. We love sharing your photos and videos, so please include #wwoofuk and/or tag @wwoofuk on your posts so we can share them. Feedback from hosts is that when we’ve shared their social media they’ve noticed in an increase in the number of WWOOFers wanting to stay at their farms.
And last but not least….
We’d love to hear about your events, your news, your stories. It’s you who make our newsletter the colourful, relevant and engaging read that we all enjoy throughout the year. Please send your valuable contributions to: editor@wwoof.org.uk
Many thanks for being part of the vibrant and buzzing WWOOF community in the UK, we really appreciate your support.
