hosting WWOOFers -- good idea?

Doc · #1 02/18/13, 04:45 PM

We have available residential space right now, and we were thinking of hosting WWOOFers on our farm to help us out. We've read what we can online, but I would like to hear personal stories and experiences from anyone who has hosted them.

Thanks.

luvrulz · #2 02/18/13, 07:00 PM

We've had interns come and stay the summer and we have had good and bad experiences.... One time, 3 students came to earn summer credit for college. They stayed 4 days and left in the middle of the day when they knew we'd be gone. Left a nasty note that said there was a dead bird in the barn loft (their residence) and they were leaving since we wouldn't remove it. OIY! Ask lots of questions.... To weed out the losers......

OTOH, we had one fella come and work his tail off and we're still in touch.

Doc · #3 02/18/13, 07:22 PM

how do you know what to ask to weed out a loser?

copperkid3 · #4 02/18/13, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc

how do you know what to ask to weed out a loser?

* * * * * * * * *
upset you?!!!"

rancher1913 · #5 02/18/13, 08:35 PM

what the heck is a wooffer----thought you were thinking of opening a kennel.

Old Vet · #6 02/18/13, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rancher1913

what the heck is a wooffer----thought you were thinking of opening a kennel.

But hoisting a woofer sounds like a radio.

Maverick_mg · #7 02/18/13, 10:07 PM

I asked a similar question a while back now and only a few people responded. I'll keep checking back, maybe you'll have more luck and answer both our questions. :-D

Big Dave · #8 02/18/13, 10:42 PM

My friend hosts Woofer's (world wide Opportunites on organic farms)I know the grammer nazis will be all over how I spell but SE LA VIE. Some will work some won't. You get four hours of work a day in exchange for a meal and a place to bed down or pitch a tent. Want to see them work go to OZARK ALTERNATIVES and I believe there is a you tube on them putting up a hoop house. OA sponsers as many as twelve at a time. Some sleep in tents and some in of grid houses. Lots of musicans and artists also frequent that farm. It is off grid and they all eat what is grown there. Lot of collage kids that never have been on a farm so they need supervision. I want a woofer but have no place to room them. I am working in that direction and will start hosting next year. I intend to treat them well. I do not want to put them in a place I would not want to be in. I am going with woofers as apossed to paid labor because I can not find people who will work for $10 an hour. Even when they do some do not even come back to get their pay. If a woofer wants to go , well they go. If they like it where they are they stay and come back to the enviroment that they like. Do not look for them to do all the manuel labor but to help you in your farm chores.

kalmara · #9 02/18/13, 11:31 PM

Another is Helpx - www.helpx.net you can read their profile and in most cases see a photo.
Most Hosts will also give a report on how well (or not !) they found the Helper.

I've been a Host for several years and 99% good experiences.
Fantastic way to get things done and meet other people.
You make the rules and let them know when they arrive what you expect.
(usually 4 hours work daily + bed & food)
Some only want to stay for 2 or 3 days and some are looking for a longer stay.

theemon · #10 02/18/13, 11:55 PM

wow i never heard of this before....

janetn · #11 02/19/13, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theemon

wow i never heard of this before....

Me either. Id love to hear more personal experiences.

hotzcatz · #12 02/19/13, 04:09 AM

I don't host them myself, but a lot of other folks around here have them in varying amounts. One person only has one and they are very fussy about who they select and usually their WWOOFer will stay with them for a minimum of six months. There is another "farm" near her which has a dozen or more and they stay in old buses and camp out where ever and they never really seem to do much of anything and they are very unorganized. The folks who have one WWOOFer seem to get a lot more done and their's seems more organized.

I would suspect, if you are good with people, then having a WWOOfer will work out well, although there is a whole selection process which seems to help.

luvrulz · #13 02/19/13, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc

how do you know what to ask to weed out a loser?

I have friends that have a CSA and they gave me their application.... questions so you know what they're like, what their expectations are.

Give me your email and I will send you a copy - it's a word doc. Feel free to modify it to suit your situation....

Here's a website to post your info to....to find you some interns.
https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/internships/

meanwhile · #14 02/19/13, 09:07 AM

There are good WWoofers and then....there are bums. I have seen both. Check references. Maybe consider having a trial weekend and have a long list of "to do" ready and see who works good and who sits on their fanny.

Once we participated in a school project at a farm. On site the people had "interns" who stayed in the barn. During the five months we were there (weekly), I never once saw either of the two interns do one lick of work. When I asked about it, the family was not sure how to get rid of the interns! I did not know them well but it seemed to be quite a problem of how to get them off the property without causing some sort of harm.

I would check drivers records and criminal records too. Good luck!

Doc · #15 02/19/13, 09:59 AM

I guess that's really the problem. No matter how many expectations you have, there is no guarantee. That's why I like the idea of coming for a few days-week only. Besides, we rent out the house as a "farmstay" for the off-weeks.

The house is quite lovely and I can see those who have been camping or roughing it want to stay awhile.

chickenista · #16 02/19/13, 10:00 AM

I have had friends do it..
Some great experiences.. one Wwoof had just come from a huge sheep farm in Canada and was able to be the one who stayed in the barn during a massive kidding season and was the best goat midwife ever!!
Some had NEVER seen a farm before and had to be shown each and every plant to weed and would still pull out the veggies.
(and one stole the husband :yikes

Just check them out.. make sure that they have done it before and that they are passionate about the same things you are etc..

luvrulz · #17 02/19/13, 10:38 AM

I'd guess I'm a WOFFF-er (Works on farm for free) but only because I can't get anybody else to work for free.

HuskyBoris · #18 02/19/13, 05:45 PM

hmmm, I don't think so,I 'm way to private to have strangers around,I even guarded against family staying for anything more than a night.

theemon · #19 02/19/13, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuskyBoris

,I even guarded against family staying for anything more than a night.

me too, but my in-laws are outlaws