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A BRIEF HISTORY OF WWOOF

WWOOFing is a unique experience.

WWOOFers, members of the organisation, offer their help to WWOOF hosts in exchange for food and accommodation. The WWOOF hosts may be on large and small farms, have small holdings, houses with large gardens and woods (and all variations in between). Hosts should either be growing organically or in conversion. The exchange is based on trust. WWOOFing is a wonderful way to contribute to the health of the planet.

Formally called Working Weekends on Organic Farms, WWOOF came into being in Autumn 1971, in England, when a London secretary, Sue Coppard, recognised the need to provide access to the countryside for people like herself who did not otherwise have the means or the opportunity, and who were keen to support the organic movement . Her idea started with a trial working weekend, which she arranged for four people at the bio- dynamic farm at Emerson College in Sussex through a contact in the Soil Association. The weekend was a great success and things gathered momentum very quickly. Soon many more organic farmers and smallholders were willing to take people keen to work on this basis (WWOOFers). It seemed that many people were just desperate to get into the countryside. Hosts and workers made new friends and enjoyed the experience of working in common in an exchange of assistance and knowledge.

When the demand for longer periods occurred, the name was changed to WILLING WORKERS ON ORGANIC FARMS. Since then, in recognition of the world wide nature of the organisation and the confusion caused by the word ' work' with migrant workers which WWOOFers are most definitely not, WWOOF now stands for WORLD WIDE OPPORTUNITIES on ORGANIC FARMS.

WWOOF UK developed quickly and the organisation adapted its systems to meet the needs of WWOOFers and hosts. It was flexible and adaptable and continues to benefit greatly from enthusiastic grassroots input and feedback and offers of help from members are actively encouraged. All suggestions are aired and discussed and many implemented. WWOOF's ethos is definitely one of constant improvement.

Now there are autonomous WWOOF organisations in many countries who all have their own individual ways of organising themselves but basically have similar membership charges, publish a host list and newsletters. Hosts in countries without a national group are listed by WWOOF Independents which is run in conjunction with WWOOF UK. WWOOF Independents' list is available via the internet or a book. In fact the sun probably never sets on WWOOF.

In 2000 the first International WWOOF conference was held with representatives from 15 countries. It was agreed to form the International WWOOF Association to try and bring about guidelines as to what is meant by being a WWOOFer, a WWOOF host and to go WWOOFing. Encouragement and support to emerging WWOOF organisations in developing countries is also an objective. In the last few years WWOOF Turkey, WWOOF Czech Republic, WWOOF Slovenia and WWOOF Mexico have all come into being. When the name was innocently coined in 1971 it cannot have been imagined that the work 'work' would cause serious problems v. the immigration authorities, who in some countries, view WWOOF as a clandestine migrant worker organisation. By sharing the experience of countries that have successfully negotiated recognition of WWOOF as a bone fide cultural exchange and learning experience, those national organisations still having problems hope to change their government's attitude.

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. Through its newsletters WWOOF organisations inform their members of organic news, views, jobs and training.

WWOOF is still growing and 'to wwoof' has entered languages in its own right.

WWOOF demonstrates just what can be achieved through genuine democratic co-operation and a subscription low enough to ensure inclusion of anyone who wants to join. WWOOFers have given 1000's of hours of help to organic growers and WWOOF hosts have given their time and experience to WWOOFers and opened the door to a way of living that has fundamentally changed people's lives.

Good lives - The people making a difference The Guardian Newspaper - Tuesday March 7, 2006 Sue Coppard, the Founder of Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms says : I grew up on the outskirts of East Croydon, running around in the Shirley Hills, and then we moved to Hove, where my brother and I used to stay with my aunt and uncle on their farm near Uxbridge. I remember picking wildflowers, building dams in streams, sliding down haystacks and generally running wild. In 1971, I was living in London and working as a secretary at Resurgence magazine, having a wonderful time - London in the 70s was very swinging - but I desperately missed being able to get out to the countryside. I thought that if I offered to help out on a farm, they would let me stay. And then I thought it might be lonely on my own, but maybe other people would want to do it, too. I mentioned it to a journalist I knew, who put me in touch with John Davy, the vice-principal of Emerson College, where they study bio-dynamic agriculture. He asked the people running the college farm, who were sceptical - they didn't really want townies playing about in the countryside - but they agreed. I put a small ad in Time Out, and 15 people answered. Two of them went down with me and the farm managers made us do what is known as housework: clearing encroaching brambles and cleaning out ditches. It was idyllic. By the end of the weekend, the farm managers said we could come back whenever we wanted. Soon, the organisation got so big it began to dominate my life. I took a back seat and with other people in charge it has gone from strength to strength. Since 1971, 43 different countries have become involved, including Australia, China, America, Ghana, Finland and Hawaii. I'm staggered at what has happened, but immensely proud too. After her year backpacking abroad, Sue rejoined the WWOOF Organisers. And as WWOOF grew, so did the tasks involved. The team proliferated: Troubleshooter, Exhibitions Organiser, Meetings Organiser, Regional Organisers, helping overseas WWOOFs get started, Newsletter Editor, and compiling the Fix-It-Yourself List for direct contact with hosts (WWOOF began with Scheduled Weekends only), etc.etc. There were also Projects such as the (indestructible) tea towel, exhibition posters, sturdy WWOOF aprons, and the 'WWOOF Directory of Organisations and Training in the UK Organic Movement' - the first such directory, which sold to officialdom and a wide and varied public. WWOOF continues to grow flexibly and organically because so many people have given - and give - their expertise, hard work and inspiration. Promoting worldwide friendships and support, spreading valuable knowledge, helping people find a more fulfilling life, championing the environment - indeed the Planet, meeting wonderful individuals, and simply making people happy because they can have contact with Nature: WWOOF contributes a very positive influence wherever it spreads.