Want to see a new part of the world this summer while learning about organic farming? World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) matches volunteers interested in organic growing, country living, and ecologically-sound lifestyles with farms and smallholdings that grow organically, are in conversion, or use ecologically sound methods on their land.  In exchange for room and board, volunteers pitch in with farm and garden work. Founded in the U.K. in 1971, WWOOF now boasts more than 6,000 registered hosts in 97 countries across regions including North, Central, and South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. It's an incredible opportunity to gain hands-on experience while actually living in a new place.
 
Oregon-based filmmaker Ashley Terry, who is currently making a documentary about the WWOOF experience, describes volunteering with WWOOF  as "a fun, educational, and inexpensive way to see the world. You can travel abroad, or stay in your own country and explore the places you always wanted to visit. You pay for your travel expenses, and your room and board is covered by the host family with whom you're staying. You just have to put in a few hours of work on the hosts' farm each day. Sometimes it isn't even a farm--it might be a bed and breakfast, or a nature preserve, or a wellness clinic. There are many options out there."
 
You can check out the very inspiring trailer for Terry's film here. WWOOF has seen volunteer inquiries peak in the past few years, so if a working farm stay in a far flung corner of the world tickles your fancy this summer, sign up and start your search right away.
 
[Image by Wonderlane/Flickr]

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