http://www.wwoof.org/

Anyone not familiar with this organization: They're been around ~30 years, pay $20USD for a year membership, get a list of 600 (in North America) organic farms that offer room and board for about five hours of work a day. They're international.

I'm pretty set on Woofing this summer. I think I might go abroad for a month or so, then back to the America's to work on farms near the music festivals I'll be going to.

For some reason I like the idea of going to New Zealand for the first month or so. The reasons are that I hear it is a beautiful country with friendly people. Diverse landscapes interest me, because I'll probably try to go rafting, climbing, diving, or something on off time. I also want to go to some big cities on off time. I really don't know much about the country of NZ at all. I'll be learning more between now and summer, but I wanted to ask if any Totseans could throw me advice about New Zealand life, since I know there's a few users there. Fun things to do, mores, norms, social things, food, work, language, public transportation, economy, etc.

Another reason for making this thread is that at this point, I can go anywhere in the world. The way things are working out for me this summer leaves me with enough money to take at least one international round trip flight, as well as ground transport. So if anyone has a story to tell about woofing or places near WOOF locations (really any populated area with some agriculture), don't hesitate to share advice.

Music's like the wind in our sails.

My parents operate an organic farm and have had quite a few WWOOFers over the years. It really is a great organization and makes for really cheap travelling. From what I've heard most of them have had nothing but positive experiences. Before you go to a farm I recommend you talk to the hosts to find out what will be expected of you of course, one WWOOFer told a story about staying at a farm in Ontario at which the hosts expected her work 10+ hour days, with only short breaks and never ate more than one or two meals a day.

You should also check in regarding food, a lot of people involved with organic farming are vegetarians or have other particular eating habits you might not enjoy.

That's cool to hear that your parents have been hosts. Whereabouts is their farm?

I'm down with doing whatever the hosts think is best. I've been eating flexitarian for a few months now, so food isn't an issue, as long as it doesn't make me sick. Hard work isn't an problem either, I come from a demolitions background and would easily be able to readapt to a 10+ hour workday melting steel under the August sun.

I was talking to my friend about this earlier, and I realized that the two definite festivals I'm going to, Rothbury and Camp Bisco, take place on dates that work with a woofing schedule.

I think I will go international for a few weeks, hopefully New Zealand or Australia, somewhere over the Pacific. Hit up California or Alaska, then to Michigan for Rothbury, then to NY for Camp, then back to my home of Massachusetts. In a general West to East route, following the rising sun.

Bisco! It's gonna be my 3rd one. See you there!

EDIT: Yay for massive lightning storms! Boo for mud! Don't piss off the angels!

New Zealand is indeed amazing. I'm currently just down here backpacking but I've met plenty of people in hostels that have done the wwoof route. I hear lots of good things.

-F☺rd