How to Pick a Farm

I've been getting some really awesome feedback from friends about my blog/travels and some serious inquiries about what I'm doing and how to do it. Since I didn't share these tips in my first WWOOF post, I figured I'd share them now and inspire some more folks to get out of their comfort zones!

The first step is always going to be deciding that you want to do something new. Working on a farm isn't most people's everyday life so making that decision is a brave one indeed! Whether you've decided that you need new scenery, want a break from your everyday life, or that you want a better understanding of what living off the grid is, WWOOFing is perfect for you! Once you've decided, sign up to be a member of WWOOF USA here.

Now your next step is picking your farm. This is actually not as easy as it sounds- there are tons of options all over the country, each with different elements and things to consider. Since there's a lot to pick from, it helps to narrow things down by deciding what you want in a farm. Let's go through the ones that have been some of my deciding factors:

- Length of stay: Every farm is different in the kind of commitment they're looking for. When planning your trip, think of how long you want to be on the farm for. Some places will have availability for short periods of time, like a week or a weekend, where others will require longer stays. It's easy to coordinate your stay with a farm if you meet this first requirement!

- Hours: Knowing how many hours you're comfortable working is essential. Most farms will only require 25 hours or so a week, but every farm is different so make sure to check the requirements at the bottom of their profile.

- Accommodations: I think this one is super important to consider. Farms will have varying abilities to accommodate volunteers; some might have tons of options to choose from, ranging from a room in the house to space to park your RV, while others might only be able to offer space for you to pitch your tent. It's really important to know yourself in this scenario- if you know that you're a little more high maintenance, prioritizing finding a place with a bed will be important. It's not a crime to want to sleep somewhere comfortable while doing hard manual labor!

- Food: This is one of my most important factors when choosing a farm. As a broke, recently graduated, twenty-something gal, I can't afford to buy my own groceries while I volunteer on a farm. Most places will offer up whatever produce they grow plus whatever other essentials you may need from the store. Some places will go so far as to provide all your meals, while some will have an outdoor kitchen for you to cook your own meals.

- Transportation: Farms will let you know if they've got space for your car or if they can offer transportation to and from the farm. This is important to keep in mind if you don't have a car.

Hopefully these tips will help you pick your farm and start your adventure!

Stay curious and happy travels!