So what does WWOOF stand for? No, it doesn’t have anything to do with dogs. WWOOF is the acronym for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, and it’s an exchange program that a ton of college kids and post-grads take part in.
Basically, you volunteer to get down and dirty with mother nature, learn all about organic food practices, meet like-minded people, and experience a new part of the world. In return, you’ll get some really good food, accommodations, and a hands-on education about agriculture that you can’t find anywhere else.
Sounds awesome, right? Well I’ve saved you hours of research and listed just 19 of the hundreds of locations around the world where you can WWOOF. Here’s where you should go, what you need to know, and what to expect.
Africa
Nigeria
In this hot and humid land, you’ll definitely learn how the Niger River impacts this country’s farming culture. You may even become an honorary member of the Yoruba or Hausa tribe, and you’ll probably learn a bunch about how Christianity ties to dietary customs.
Also, since the yam (AKA isu) is a traditional food, you’ll be digging around the ground to harvest tons of this crop.
Tanzania
In Tanzania, over half of the population doesn’t have access to nutritious food, so working on sustainable agricultural practices are super duper important. For economic and cultural reasons, chai tea is also important to this country since cloves are easily grown here. If you’re a tea lover then Tanzania is calling your name.
South Africa
Fish is a major staple in the South African diet due to the country’s strong aquaculture industry. If you have any seafood allergies, we recommend you steer clear of WWOOFing here. But if you ever wanted to be a fisherman when you grow up, now’s your chance.
Americas
Brazil
If you’re one of those college students who drinks cup after cup of coffee every single day, WWOOFing in Brazil can teach you everything from where your go-to pick-me-up originates, to how it’s grown and sold. Living in Brazil, the largest producer of coffee, will allow you to become familiar with planting, tending and harvesting these precious pods of caffeine.
Canada
If you’re a fan of the sweet syrupy excellence that comes from the Maple tree, then you will definitely want to WWOOF in Canada. You’ll probably learn all about tapping Maple trees and how to make that addictive sappy goodness from scratch.
Peru
If you wanna spice up yo life, Peru is the place to be. Here you’ll get to grow fresh herbs like mint, cilantro, parsley and basil which will liven up those bland potatoes, rice and corn. At your homestay you might even learn how to make ceviche from a pro.
Hawaii
Dreamin’ of those chill island vibes? Well, WWOOFing in Hawaii might not be all the rest and relaxation you imagined. You’ll be working long hours harvesting sugar cane and big tropical fruits, like jackfruit. But during your downtime you can definitely catch some waves and soak up the sun. Surf’s up, bro.