WWOOF Ireland represents all of Ireland. For the last ten years, the Republic of Ireland has been represented by WWOOF Independents and Northern Ireland by WWOOF UK. From 2009, WWOOF Ireland represents hosts and volunteers in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland making it the first trans-national WWOOF organisation in the world. Part of the purpose is to link people who want to volunteer on organic farms or smallholdings in Ireland (WWOOFers) with hosts who are looking for volunteer help.
What does WWOOF mean?
WWOOF stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. It started in the UK in 1971 and has since become an international movement that is helping people share more sustainable ways of living through a global network of education through exchange. By joining WWOOF you are supporting the sustainable living movement worldwide.
WWOOF is essentially an exchange - in return for volunteer help, WWOOF hosts offer food, accommodation and opportunities to learn about organic lifestyles.
WWOOF is also now recognised as having an important contribution to make in the wider organic world as it brings more and more people into direct contact with organic growers both independently and through other organisations who are trying to influence policy and consumer demand.
How does WWOOF work?
There is no payment between WWOOFers and WWOOF Hosts. Hosts provide food and accommodation and share their knowledge and experience of organic and sustainable lifestyles with WWOOFers. There are many WWOOF organisations around the world, but there is no single WWOOF membership that covers all countries. To be a Host or WWOOFer in Ireland, you must register on this site and then pay a small subscription fee. There is a preview list to give you a taste of the Hosts already registered, but no contact details are available until you subscribe.
The aims of WWOOF
- To enable people to learn about organic growing techniques first hand
- To enable people to learn about sustainable living, healthier life styles and alternative ways of life
- To provide an opportunity to learn about rural life in the Irish countryside by living and working together
- To give practical assistance to producers of organic food
- To give people a chance to meet, talk, learn and exchange views with others in the organic movement