World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms
WWOOF is a worldwide network of national organisations linking volunteers with organic farmers and growers to promote cultural and educational experiences based on trust and non-monetary exchange, thereby helping to build a sustainable global community.
As a part of the Global WWOOF Movement, – see www.wwoof.net -WWOOF Ireland facilitates a voluntary, educational exchange. By becoming members, volunteers (WWOOFers) from all over the world can arrange placements with host farms in Ireland (including Northern Ireland) to learn not only about organic growing and sustainable lifestyles, but also, through interaction and direct hands on experiences, people from different cultures and life styles are introduced to a variety of aspects Irish rural life, culture and heritage. In return for volunteer help, WWOOF hosts offer food, accommodation and opportunities to learn about organic lifestyles.
WWOOF Ireland Mission statement as in the constitution:
To provide education in organic growing and sustainable, healthy living, and an experience of Irish life and culture for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, by facilitating links between volunteers who wish to learn and organic farmers and growers who are able to teach them about environmental sustainability and the support of the natural environment through hands on experience throughout the island of Ireland, for the purpose of educational and cultural exchange and to support the organic movement.
WWOOF objectives:
To facilitate links based on trust and non-monetary exchanges facilitating free educational and cultural exchange between volunteers and organic farmers and growers to provide education in sustainable, healthy living and Irish life and culture and to promote organic growing by:
• Enabling people to learn about organic growing techniques.
• Enabling people to learn about sustainable living, healthier life styles and alternative ways of life.
• Providing opportunities to learn about life and culture by living with families in countries around the world.
• Giving practical assistance to producers of organic food.
• Giving people a chance to meet, talk, learn and exchange views with others in the organic movement.
WWOOF Ireland also fosters:
• a respect for and protection of the environment,
• a focus on farming techniques that prevent and relieve the suffering of animals,
• the advancement of environmental sustainability
• advancement of Irish Culture and Heritage
WWOOFing in Ireland
WWOOF hosts in Ireland follow organic principles and have a general ethic of respect for the environment. Many have simple, sustainable lifestyles and practise Permaculture, Bio-dynamic or other organic methods. Theymay be individuals, families, commercial producers, co-operatives or communities including centres for yoga, crafts, arts or spiritual pursuits sharing the WWOOF ethos.
