Live and Work on a Small Farm: 4 sites to find opportunities
Living on and working on a farm can be a rewarding experience, offering an opportunity to connect to nature and embrace sustainable living. Whether you are seeking a temporary stay or looking for a lifestyle change, there are many options for immersing yourself in farm life in 2024. Here are 4 sites that will help you find the right opportunity for you.
WWOOFING
World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) connects volunteers with organic farms around the world. Volunteers work in exchange for food, accommodation, and hands-on learning. The experiences vary greatly from location to location but it is generally expected that the volunteer contributes 4-6 hours a day farm work each week. The average stay is 2-3 weeks, but volunteers can choose to stay as short as two days or as long as 6-months.
History
WWOOFing started in the early 1970s when Sue Coppard of England recognized that people like her in the city did not have access to the country-side to support the budding organic farming movement. She missed staying on her uncle’s farm in the summers growing up and thought maybe there was a farmer out there willing to host her. It started with a trial of three people at a farm in Sussex after advertising the idea in a magazine and finding a farm through a contact made by the soil association. Today there are over 12k hosts in 130 countries that have housed over 100 thousand woofers.
Benefits
WWOOFing allows for those traveling on a budget to learn organic farming practices and participate in cultural exchange with hosts and fellow WWOOFers in exchange for room and board. This can be a great way for those interested in organic farming to learn skills while traveling.
How to Get Started
Visit the WWOOF website and find opportunities that match your interests and desired destinations.
Workaway
Workaway is a homestay and cultural exchange platform. It allows for travelers to receive food and lodging in exchange for a pre-agreed amount of time per day working. Opportunities vary from work with NGOs, schools, and hospitality and farmstays. The target audience is those looking to travel cheaply.
History
Workaway started in the early 90s when the founder extended his stay at a hostel in Hawaii in exchange for work. When he returned home he began offering a room in his house in exchange for help on the land.
Today there are over 50,000 opportunities in more than 170 countries with thousands of users.
Benefits
Workaway allows travelers to find a variety of opportunities to receive free room and board. It especially caters to young people taking a gap year in their studies. At its core, Workaway aims to compensate travelers for giving back to the places they are visiting.
How to get started
Visit www.workaway.info to learn more
HelpX
Helpx is a platform that connects volunteers with hosts. Similar to Workaway, volunteers receive room and board in exchange for accomplishing pre-arranged tasks. These are not just farm stays but also hostel work and household chores. The average helper works four hours per day to receive free accommodation.
History
Founded in 2001 by Rob Prince from England, the idea was to help travelers experience local culture and lifestyles more intimately. Since its founding, HelpX has grown to a network of 1000s of hosts
Benefits
Similar to Workaway, Helpx offers a variety of opportunities including organic farming. There is also flexibility around the number of work hours expected, some hosts might ask for up to 6 hours/day while others may just ask for 2 hours or 10-15 hours per week. This makes HelpX a rewarding way to travel more affordably while also developing skills and experiencing local cultures.
How to get started
HelpX offers both free and premium membership. The premium membership is 20 euros for two years and offers helpers full access to browse opportunities and reviews. You can learn more and get started at https://www.helpx.net/
FarmStay USA
Farmstay USA is a network connecting farmers with short-term rental properties to those interested in staying on a working farm. These stays allows guest to observe (and sometimes help out) with day-to-day operations on a farm. Accommodations vary from yurts and RVs to more luxurious farmhouses. Guest pay a nightly rate for their stay.
History
Farmstay USA started in 2010 based on the founders own experience buying a farm and learning how difficult it is to compete with big ag on the produce of the farm alone. They switched to creating farm experiences and built Farm Stay to bridge the gap between farmers looking to diversify their income and travelers seeking authentic rural experiences.
Benefits
Guests enjoy unique experiences on real working farms while also staying in a setting that promotes relaxation. On the farm, guests have the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of the operation and reconnect to nature while also knowing that their stay provides a much needed revenue channel for small farms.
How to get started
Just visit the Farm Stay USA website where you can browse listings, read reviews, and contact hosts to book your stay!
Conclusion
Living and working on a small farm can be an enriching and transformative experience. Whether you're looking to learn new skills, immerse yourself in sustainable living practices, or simply enjoy the tranquility of rural life, there are numerous platforms available to help you find the perfect opportunity.
Sites like WWOOF, Workaway, HelpX, and Farm Stay USA offer a diverse range of farm stays and volunteer experiences, connecting you with hosts who need your help and are eager to share their way of life. These platforms provide the chance to engage in meaningful work, gain valuable agricultural knowledge, and form lasting connections with people from different cultures and backgrounds.