Willing Workers On Organic Farms

Overview
We have been hosting WWOOF visitors since 2006. The experience has been positive and the contributions of the wwoofers have been great for us and the farm. The cultural exchange has been a highlight of the experience and our guests have enjoyed the diversity of the work and the peace of the farm. We are fortunate that the property is only a few kilometers from town (Maitland) which avoids the isolation that some may feel in remote places. Many wwoofers ride the push bike to town to see the shops and other attractions.

The work
Visitors are made to feel part of the family and are expected to contribute as part of the family would. This means a variety of duties including house work and cooking as well as working in the market garden, picking up cow manure for the compost, equipment maintenance and other duties as is normal on a mixed farm. Fortunately there are many tasks that need to be done and no one is expected to do anything they don’t enjoy. We can always find something within your range of abilities that needs doing.

Some rules
We have some rules that, if followed, assist in making the stay enjoyable. These rules are not hard and fast, so please ask if you need some flexibility.
You are expected to work at least six hours a day with one day off each week. If work goes well we will generally have a day at the vineyards or the mountains or some place of interest.
In normal weather the day starts at 8.30 am and finishes at 3.30 pm with morning tea at 10 am and lunch at 1 pm.
In summer when the days are longer and hotter we start at 6.30 am and break at 10.30 am then start at 3.30 till 6 pm.
You are expected to have one short shower per day because water is precious to us.
You make your own breakfast (we supply the food) and must be ready for work by 8.30 am.

Self contained flat and caravan, side by side.

Accommodation
Accommodation is either in a self contained flat or a caravan close to the house and meals, other than breakfast, are taken with the family in the house. You will be asked to cook at least one meal that is typical of the food you eat at home but this is optional if you are not at all comfortable with cooking.

The length of your stay is generally one week with the option of a second week if it is agreeable with all the parties.

Conclusion
Communication is the key to an enjoyable stay. Some wwoofers find communication difficult and we are becoming better at speaking slowly and clearly. Please persist until your message is understood and don’t say you understand an instruction unless you really do. Most of all “have fun”. We all learn more and get more work done if we are enjoying what we do.

Interior photo of the self contained flat.	Interior photo of the caravan.