advice to farmers about interns/wwoofers
www.permies.com There are thousands of people willing to work on organic farms for free or nearly free. Many farmers have explored this path and found it too frustrating and have elected to no longer do this. Here are two well known farmers that have had agreat success and this is their advice to farmers considering this path. Doug Bullock and Jacqueline Freeman give advice to farmers thinking of bringing some interns/wwoofers onto their farm. I get a slice of Doug Bullock’s lunch time as he takes a break from being the guest instructor for a permaculture design course taught by Toby Hemenway. The Bullock Brothers Permaculture Homestead (www.permacultureportal.com) is famous for being a powerful intern magnet. Interns actually pay to go there. As a result, the Bullocks get to pick from a large pool of interns wanting to go there. And they have had excellent results with their intern program. Doug’s advice includes Establish your farm before you get interns. Don’t ask your interns to do just the dirty work. A lot of interns come from a priveledged background – be prepared for that. Keep the work interesting. Look for interns with some skills and maturity. If you have three or fewer interns, you shoudl include them in your family. A hot tob, sauna or pizza oven really helps. Jacqueline Freeman of Friendly Haven Rise Farm (www.friendlyhaven.com) is famous for her beekeeping skills. She tells me that in the last five years she has had more than 90 interns Some of Jacqueline’s …
25 Responses to advice to farmers about interns/wwoofers
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i am planning to wwoof in japan with a friend, does anyone know how i can set all this up? i know you need to make a wwoof certificate for overseas. and also will the wwoof org set us up with english speaking farmers?
SunnyTubb
February 16, 2013 at 9:48 pm
Traveling can be a good way to figure things out. So can taking a general year of schooling
MirewoodClan
February 16, 2013 at 9:52 pm
Are you still interested in this? I know a few farms in British Columbia that usually have interns over the summer.
MirewoodClan
February 16, 2013 at 10:41 pm
that farmer is more articulate than like 90% of the population
krazykorican
February 16, 2013 at 10:47 pm
Great video !
Mies Heerma
February 16, 2013 at 11:20 pm
To Diana A:
You can go as Au-Pair abroad. Just be cautious with choosing a reliable agency.
Olga101uk
February 16, 2013 at 11:24 pm
I’m 18 and I don’t know how and what exactly should I do. I’ve never been abroad. Hope to cope!
Диана Анисютина
February 17, 2013 at 12:22 am
I am a new host and am looking forward to participating with you all more. I live in north Thailand. So glad I found you all! Warm regards, Sky
skypeenglishexpress
February 17, 2013 at 12:57 am
I would really like to do something like this. Does anyone have any advice as to how to get into it??
empressKasumi
February 17, 2013 at 1:45 am
Good lord I want to volunteer at friendly haven rise farm! My volunteer experiences were great, but the farmers dont seem to realize that they have obligations too.
SaraHeartsGirls
February 17, 2013 at 2:09 am
Maybe I would last like a week without a hot tub LOL!
arlen886
February 17, 2013 at 3:01 am
Oh, right down the road from me in PDX I see. Might have to come visit the farm this summer!
Ryan Mickels
February 17, 2013 at 3:21 am
Thanks for teaching us some great things!
worldpeacegardens
February 17, 2013 at 4:20 am
You two are great! Wonderful, educational clip.
Magnolius T.
February 17, 2013 at 4:24 am
If anyone watching this can help me out, I would really like to a “intern” on a farm in New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, or Utah. I am not from the “privileged class” I can work harder than anyone.If you want to know about me. Youtube Page…
Gregory Brandt
February 17, 2013 at 5:17 am
Awesome Video.
deathfalk
February 17, 2013 at 5:43 am
I’m really interested in working for this program. i grew up on a very small family farm and have gotten away from that life for a long time now. I really want to get back into it and a friend told me about this program. any advice on how to get involved? im 23 and such a hard worker. while most kids spent their summers at the mall with daddy’s credit card i spend them in a field with daddy’s ho.
crazyreefer
February 17, 2013 at 6:12 am
the only way my kids ever got to ride a horse was a coop program that we could afford only because they had to work at the stable – muck out the stalls – learn to groom the horses – clean the equip & other chores & we still had to pay. there were kids there who just attended to ride – their parents could afford it. my beat up van always stuck out like a sore thumb & i was always late because i drove straight from work in my uniform. a great teacher loves their work – work = students
swoop1111
February 17, 2013 at 6:42 am
i hope the wwoof program screens their farmers AS WELL as their applicants as was suggested by the first gentleman farmer to make sure the experience is truly beneficial to all involved & not just free labor. i am sorry if that last statement offended but the first man speaking came across so negatively – i mean- hot tubs really? i would think those that wanted spring break in virginia bch wouldn’t apply – but during screening of applicants this should be addressed.
swoop1111
February 17, 2013 at 7:00 am
wow jacqueline – you are a true teacher – i have encouraged several young people to pursue this program – i hope they wind up with a mentor like you – you saved this video & the image of the wwoof program at least in my eyes. we are not “privliged upper middle class people with spoiled kids – we get by during the growing season on my city hen eggs & my organic yard grown vegs/fruit. which are shared with neighbors/friends.some wanted to experience a real farm so i found wwoof & passed it on ..
swoop1111
February 17, 2013 at 7:00 am
I can’t wait to get out there and start wwoofing! only thing i need to do now is turn 18 🙂
wardy2294
February 17, 2013 at 7:50 am
I bet she is an incredibly wonderful farmer to work with.
Suzy Bean
February 17, 2013 at 8:05 am
Repost due to typing error:
This could not have been more revealing.
It’s confirmed: Without free labor, there would be no “organic” farming.
That the first farmer refers to the workers as “spoiled” is very telling.
TheProphetNabob
February 17, 2013 at 8:33 am
When you say it was “a lean, hungry time” you’re telling us all we need to know about how the “interns” are treated.
TheProphetNabob
February 17, 2013 at 9:00 am
This could not have been more revealing.
It’s not confirmed: Without free labor, there would be no “organic” farming.
That the first farmer refers to the workers as “spoiled” is very telling.
TheProphetNabob
February 17, 2013 at 9:02 am