Sam Stanley’s personal experience of being a WWOOFer

So you’re thinking about WWOOF’ing?
I’d say go for it, but of course I would. I can only speak from my own experiences, and not all of them were rose gardens and sunshine. Still, the majority of the memories, the reason for the journey, are absolutely worth keeping and sharing.

**First WWOOF guest trip with friend.** CONTRIBUTED

I first learned about WWOOF when I was in AmeriCorps. A good friend of mine visited a farm in Michigan, barely an hour from their house. I tagged along as a guest and had a great time. Hearing about all the fun and interesting things happening at the farm lit a spark in me. I immediately started looking for my own organic opportunity abroad. I threw a dart at the map and landed in Japan.

My First WWOOF in Japan

At my first farm in Omachi, in the Nagano Prefecture, I met my first host family. They were incredibly kind and let me stay for a month. They taught me how to speak and write in Japanese (Hiragana included), which helped me so much during my WWOOF journey.

**First WWOOF trip in Japan.** CONTRIBUTED

I also met fellow WWOOFers from Singapore, Taiwan, the U.S., Jerusalem, and even Japan. The farm mostly grew tomatoes but also had apple orchards and other fruit trees. The views and the food were my favorite part. My host cooked breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day, plus “tea-time” twice daily, where we’d stop to sit, talk, and share snacks.

They encouraged us to explore the town, visit the nearby lake, swim, and try local cuisine. While there, I even got to attend the Omachi Sake Festival, where regional brewers handed out free samples of their sake to festival-goers. There was always something happening.

Other Farms in Japan

**Picture with friends and fellow WWOOFers.** CONTRIBUTED

My next farm stay lasted a week. The work was tougher and the hosts weren’t as warm, but I saw a different side of Japanese culture I wouldn’t have otherwise. I worked rice paddies, harvesting and preparing fields for the next crop. The food was still excellent, and I shared some memorable experiences with my host and fellow WWOOFers.

My final host in Japan was in Azumino, also in Nagano Prefecture. There I met WWOOFers from France, Israel, Mongolia, the U.S., and of course Japan. The main work was picking apples and boxing them for market sales.

Beyond the labor, Japan gave me new foods, new places, and friendships I never would’ve made without WWOOF.

Back in the States

**Small organic farm in Maine.** CONTRIBUTED

After Japan, I was hooked. I spent nearly two months on a small organic farm in Maine with a younger couple who were former WWOOFers themselves. They wanted to pass along their skills and connections.

Before Maine, agriculture had only been a hobby, something I’d tried and failed at multiple times. But at that farm, I learned so much: seedlings, soil prep, pest control, mulching, maintenance. I even got to visit where they sold produce, like a local pizza place (free pizza included) and a co-op that had the freshest salad bar I’ve ever seen.

WWOOF not only fueled my nomadic lifestyle but also shaped my interest in agricultural science, sustainability, and, most importantly, making lifelong connections with like-minded people.

From Study to Celebration

**WWOOF trip in a sheep farm in Washington State.** CONTRIBUTED

The lessons I learned through WWOOF led me to pursue a degree in Communications and Sustainability, so I could connect with agriculturalists and organic farmers and share knowledge.

To celebrate graduation, I WWOOFed again, this time in Washington State and Oregon. In Washington, I stayed on a sheep farm at the base of the Whitehorse Mountains, taking care of horses, guard dogs, Australian shepherds, cats, goats, and of course sheep. I hiked daily and enjoyed more independence than in past stays. My host and I still shared meals and stories, but having the freedom to explore and create my own community made the experience even richer.

Final Thoughts

WWOOFing is a unique adventure you can’t find anywhere else. You never know who you’ll meet or what you’ll do, but you can count on it being unforgettable.

Sam Stanley, guest contributed

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