alpine flowers at Grey Rock

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

WWOOFing

I am a member of WWOOF, World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms.  The idea is to trade work on the farm for a view of the local area and a place to stay and maybe get food, all the while soaking up whatever can be learned about farming etc. in the process.  I have been "hosting" woofers, as the other parties are known, for 8 years.  It has been mostly an enjoyable experience, with only an occasional glitch, someone taking advantage of my good nature and food source, or someone not able to really help.  The trade off is having someone or someones in and around your home all summer.  The good part is it keeps my view of things fresh and I get cheap labor.  I am toying with the idea of NOT woofing this summer.  There is some pretty good options on local folks who want to help and I don't have to feed or board them.  Managerially, it would free me up immensely, as even when I don't feel like working all day, I have to find things for these people sitting in my house to do!   Sometimes I am not sure we are coming out ahead if they are heavy eaters... Anyway, I will let you know.  If this is something you are interested in doing on one side or another, I would recommend it on the whole.  I just want to do things a little differently this year.