How It Works
How WWOOF Ireland Works . . .
WWOOF Ireland connects visitors with 200+ organic farmers and homesteads across the country, in all four provinces of Ireland including urban locations and Gaeltacht regions where the native language Gaelic is spoken.
Visitors, or ‘WWOOFers’, have the opportunity to learn, grow and connect with the land and the rich culture of Ireland while staying with a WWOOF Ireland Host.
WWOOFers join in with farm activities while visiting the Host farm. The Host provides safe, warm and clean accomodation, nourising food and shares their knowledge about organic farming, creating a sustainable global community based on trust and a non-monetary exchange.
- The Basics
If you’re joining the WWOOF Ireland community, fáilte! (welcome!)
We hope you’re prepared for a warm welcome, lots of rain and even more opportunities to learn, explore and connect with Éire (Ireland in Gaelic).
On average it rains in Ireland 150 – 225 days a year so please bring suitable waterproof clothing and a pair of wellies (we do have lots of sunshine too!).
All Host farms offer different opportunities. Some Hosts are involved with commercial vegetable growing, others keep hobby gardens and animals while others are passionate beekeepers, cheesemakers, permaculturists and self-sufficient homesteaders etc.
Host farms are diverse and ever changing environments so depending on the season, planting and growing might be the focus or maybe weeding, composting, firewood chopping and preserving will be. Make sure you ask the Host in advance of your visit what you’ll be doing to make sure it’s the right opportunity for you.
- The Learning Guide
The Learning guide is unique to WWOOF Ireland and is mandatory for any visit over 2 weeks.
WWOOFers can choose subjects they would like to learn about on Host farms ranging from growing methods, basic skills, compost making, sustainability, growing plants, animals and lots more.
Once subjects have been completed through the Learning Guide and through interactive participation on the Host farm, the WWOOFer will be awarded a digital badge showing the skills they have learned.
The digital badge will automatically be added to the WWOOF profile and is downloadable for people to use on personal accounts like social media, blogs or resumes.
- Website Features
Your own Profile page
Host Profiles describe your Farm, your farming methods, what diets you cater for, property size, accommodation and meals areas for your WWOOFers.
WWOOFer Profiles give you a chance to describe yourself, why you’re WWOOFing in Ireland and what you aim to get out of your experience.
Private Messaging
All communications between WWOOFers and Host Farms is done via our Private Messaging system.
- Instant response
- Email Notifications
- Web Browser Notifications
- Secure & Private
Noticeboard
Hosts – post a Notice when you’re looking for Wwoofers or specific skill sets.
Wwoofers – post a Notice when you’re looking for Learning opportunities, host farms in specific areas or just advertise your availability.
Map Search for Hosts
Use our interactive Map Search feature to search and filter Host Farms throughout Ireland.
Find Hosts within a radius of where you are or search and save favourites for later.
Search for WWOOFers
As a Host Farm, you can search for WWOOFers that you think would suit your farm, family and skill-sets.
You can search for specific skills a WWOOFer would like to learn, or dietary preferences.
Find your ideal WWOOFer.
Booking Calendar
All Host Farm Profiles have a calendar, where Wwoofers can see when the Host is available for bookings.
Wwoofers can then request a time slot from the Hosts. If the Host approves, then arrangements can be made via the Private Messaging system to facilitate the stay.
Everything is completed online. No need for confusing messages or missed phone calls.
- How to be a WWOOFer
If you’re up for getting your hands dirty, to learn and practice organic ways of sustainable living and meet new people then WWOOFing is for you!
By WWOOFing in Ireland your experience will be unique and fruitful in so many ways. You’ll participate in farm activities alongside your Host but must also be comfortable to complete tasks independently.
WWOOFing is a great way to experience rural Ireland, immerse yourself in daily life and embrace the seasons and local communities.
It’s strongly advised to arrange an online meet and greet with the Host in advance of going to stay on their farm.
WWOOFing is not a study English abroad programme and does not support internships. If you require information about travel and visas it is your responsibility to seek advice as WWOOF Ireland does not provide this.
Step 1
Join WWOOF Ireland-
Choose Membership Plan
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Signup Online
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Sign declaration
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Agree to T&Cs
Step 2
Create Your Profile-
Tell us about yourself
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Add your interests
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Add your location
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Add images & gallery
Step 3
Search for Host Farms-
Post on Notice Board
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Search using maps
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Private message hosts
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Connect online or visit
- How to be a Host Farm
Hosting WWOOFers on your property is a big responsibility, and a great opportunity to be an instrumental part of WWOOF’s worldwide movement.
It is a great opportunity to share ideas and skills such as organics, biodynamics, permaculture, sustainability and living sustainably and mindfully on the earth.
WWOOF Ireland Hosts gain access to hundreds of volunteers from around the world who are passionate to live, learn and volunteer on your organic family farm, hobby farm or piece of paradise.
Through WWOOF you can make life-long connections and be apart of building a sustainable global community.
WWOOFers can be from all over the world, some with farming experience, others fresh from cities, sometimes with little English language or knowledge of Ireland.
As the Host, it’s your responsibility to make them feel welcome, safe and teach them a few things about your lifestyle and organic farming practices.
WWOOFers may request an online meet and greet with you in advance of going to your farm.
WWOOF Ireland has a mandatory Learning Guide in which WWOOFers who are living and learning on Host farms and homesteds will be using to gain knowledge and earn digital badges for their profiles. Hosts are encouraged to engage with the Learning Guide and share additional knowledge with the WWOOFers.
Step 1
Join WWOOF Ireland-
Choose Membership Plan
-
Signup Online
-
Sign declaration
-
Agree to T&Cs
Step 2
Create Your Profile-
Tell us about your farm
-
Share what you offer
-
Add your location
-
Add images & gallery
Step 3
Connect with WWOOFers-
Post on Notice Board
-
Private message WWOOFers
-
Connect online or a visit
-
Open your home