WWOOF is an exchange network operating in many countries where accommodation, meals and learning are given in return for help to hosts. A WWOOF host invites people to come to their place to work, usually about 4 to 6 hours a day, in return for their daily food, boarding and the experience of sharing daily life with the people who live and work at the host. Stays of varying lengths are possible. Each WWOOF group is a separate and independent organisation. There is no head office of WWOOFing in the world. WorldWide Opportunities on Organic Farms, UK (WWOOF™ UK) is part of a worldwide movement linking visitors with organic farmers, promote a cultural and educational exchange, and build a global community conscious of ecological farming and sustainability practices.

WWOOF’s goal is to provide individuals from all around the world the opportunity to: gain practical skills in organic farming and gardening experience rural living while sharing in the everyday life of your host further the organic and sustainability movement participate in a cultural exchange WWOOF’s further goal is to: create a network within the ecological movement. Promote, inform and educate about agro-ecological farming and sustainability. Present ecological methods as viable alternatives promote solidarity between people as well as an ethical economy, living, learning & sharing organic lifestyles. The founding idea of WWOOF is to facilitate exchanges around organic use of the land in pursuit of a way of living in harmony with nature. WWOOF provides a way for people to learn about organic food, agriculture and sustainable ways of living. In doing so, it brings together people who share similar values and philosophies. WWOOF aims to provide helping hands to its hosts, and at the same time allows visitors to learn what it means to grow one’s own food sustainably.

The acronym “WWOOF” originally stood for Working Weekends On Organic Farms. These days, some call it Willing Workers On Organic Farms or World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. Organic farming is the primary activity hosts do, however there are sometimes variations of this. In an effort to provide access to a greater diversity of experience, where it could be possible to learn and experience what might be called an organic lifestyle was recognised and in response some WWOOF groups have hosts that are, for example, places like health and healing centers, pottery and arts, building and restoring buildings, organic restaurants, dealing with animals, eco villages, brewing and production of foods, nature guide centre, centers for the environment. To find out what kind of hosts the WWOOF group in the country you are going to has, check their website and write to the coordinator of that group to ask them.