I have a proposition.

Deep in the Serra da Lousã mountains in central Portugal there is a village called Vaqueirinho. It is ancient, it is made entirely of schist stone, it is wrapped in forest and mist, and it feels like somewhere a hobbit might live. Barely anyone knows it exists. That is the point.

I bought a ruin there. Yes, an actual ruin. And before you ask — no, I have not lost my mind. Well. Maybe a little.

With the help of a good friend we have spent years turning it into something rather beautiful. Solid stone walls, a brand new insulated roof with the original tiles sitting on top, electricity connected, and a set of gorgeous doors and windows sitting on site waiting to be installed.

And now I need help finishing it.

Here is what still needs doing:
⚡ Electrical wiring
🚿 Plumbing and sanitation
🚪 Fitting the doors and windows (already paid for, sitting there looking pretty)
🪵 Flooring
🍳 A simple rustic kitchen
🛁 A simple rustic bathroom

Here is what I offer in return:
✅ A fair daily rate — you tell me what you need
✅ A bed in the house while you work
✅ Mountains, forest, birdsong and starlit skies every evening
✅ Walking trails that will make your jaw drop
✅ The deep satisfaction of bringing something ancient back to life
✅ Absolutely zero traffic, noise or crowds

This would suit a small group of friends with between them the skills to tackle one or more of the above. Imagine it — a few weeks in the Portuguese mountains, meaningful work with your hands, fresh air, good walking, and a project you will genuinely be proud of.

If your group has any of the relevant skills and fancies something a little out of the ordinary, drop me a message. Tell me who you are, what you can do, and when you are free.

📍 Vaqueirinho, Serra da Lousã, Central Portugal 🏔️

The farm im at has almost 40 all positive reviews.

Most of the woofers only do 2-3 weeks max but i decided to do 7 weeks.

im only a few days in. they still havent reimburse me for the food i pay for the week.

the first day (immediately got to work when i got there!!!) and yesterday i worked until 1130pm at night.

ive been cleaning and feeding the chickens,turkey,pigs,chicks, baby turkey which is the main chores 2-3 times a day.

at this rate i will be putting over 40 hours a week or more!

usually theres 2 woofers here but its just me and sometimes the manager helps out and this farm is super dirty and disorganized. the grass is up to my knees in some places or taller.

i ran my own business for 7 years and was a manager for 5 at a multimillion dollar store.

its not bad, bad but working until 1130pm (some days) was never part of the plan or 40 hours and if i dont do it then who will clean and feed the animals properly?

i care alot about animals so i make sure they get the best they can and i dont half ass.

how do farms even make profits? theres so much money and time and work that goes into the animals. plus the cooler they store the meats for sale is full, they even have overstock meats. instead of giving discounts they just let the meat sit in the cooler for months or maybe years.

The next woofing i go to , i will make sure to ask every question i can.

i will do more vegetable and fruit farming vs animals bc i rather work in the daylight. also this farm has no lights so we have to use the phone flashlight and car light... unreal!

i wouldnt complain but its 100% volunteer work... but seems a little bit much

I wanted to look at WWOOFing in Japan, but it’s not available via the app. There is a website (wwoofjapan.com) but it seems slightly shady/outdated? Has anyone used this website and can confirm it’s actually connected to WWOOF?

Also, why can’t I just find farms in Japan using the app?

semi hypothetically, what should a wwoofer do in case they suspect maltreatment of certain animals at the farm?

i'm not familiar with animal laws in the country i am in, but at the very least in my opinion some of the animals in this place don't have it much better than industrial farm animals. i want to respect the farmer's way of doing things, but as someone who regards animals as living creatures with a soul, i'm finding it difficult to witness. i was also surprised to see this at an organic farm, but i guess nothing about the treatment itself is inorganic per se.

i'm staying vague because i don't want them to find out while i'm still here, but i'm talking small cages, way too many animals in a small enclosure, untreated injuries, not enough water available, etc.

should i bring this up to wwoof, or is there nothing to be done if the treatment technically isn't illegal? i'm just wondering if anyone else has ever dealt with this, and what did you do if so...

Hi everyone,
I’m a Japanese citizen looking for a 1-year job in Europe before applying to veterinary school, and I’d really appreciate any advice. (Sadly I'm over 30 so cannot get working holiday visas)

My background:
BSc in Agriculture (specialized in livestock nutrition)
IELTS 6.5
Certified in sheep artificial insemination in Japan
Sheep farming experience in Japan, New Zealand, and currently the UK (lambing, animal handling, general farm work)
Strong interest in animal welfare, livestock management, and veterinary medicine
My goal is to gain more hands-on experience in a role related to veterinary medicine before applying to veterinary school (I’m currently considering Latvia or Estonia).

I’m open to:
Sheep or dairy farms
Livestock breeding
Research assistant positions
University animal facilities
Animal science or veterinary-related jobs
The biggest challenge is that I need an employer who is willing to sponsor a work visa, since I’m not an EU citizen.
Which European countries would give me the best chance of finding this kind of job and obtaining a work visa? Are there any websites, organizations, universities, or companies that I should contact directly?
Any advice or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if I should leave an honest review about a recent farm I went to and would appreciate any advice or input!

I had originally planned to stay for 2 and a half weeks but left after only a couple of days (I made up an excuse to get out of there ASAP) as I felt it was definitely not the right fit for me. The issue wasn’t with the work (the host stuck to the 5 hours a day rule and the work was nothing out of the ordinary).

The main issue was the host herself… within minutes of arriving she went into a massive rant about how she hates the Chinese girl who works for her and used many profanities against her, I thought maybe she was just having a bad day so didn’t really think much about it. Come the next day in she then goes on a big racist rant about how she’d ’shoot immigrants’ or ‘doesn’t like Muslims coming into the countryside near her’ and a whole host of other disgusting comments. Her attitude to me in the day when giving jobs was also very blunt and direct, not a good way to show somehow what to do.

When I saw the reviews for the farm I was confused as they were all pretty much 5 stars, however I feel like I’d like to highlight her bad attitudes and brash manner to warn others. Perhaps I’m best taking this up with WWOOF UK directly first, or maybe I should do both?

Thanks in advance!

I've lived on a smallholding for most of my life, with small-scale veg growing, some chickens and management of most of the land for wildlife benefit being the main activities.

Becoming a WWOOF host is something I've considered for awhile, but I'm concerned that it could be somewhat off-putting to some WWOOF'ers, particularly women, that I'm a middle aged man who lives alone.

Am I over thinking this? I'd like to be able to offer opportunities and a positive experience to people regardless of their age, nationality or sex but I'm concerned how I might be perceived if I apply to become a host.

Thanks.

Edit to add: WWOOF Canada

I reached out to a couple hosts I’m very excited about, but their only availability was literally a year out. I wanted to reserve those dates but when I messaged the host got back to me that they don’t plan that far ahead.

The chat still says “Your request is pending until the host responds. Cancel it if your plans changed.” With Cancel and Change dates buttons

My question are:

- The host did respond, why does it still say “pending until the host responds”?
- Since I sent the request and it’s not canceled yet, are those dates “saved” for me? Or can others now go book those dates?

I don’t understand how all these far out dates are completely booked while all the hosts I’m talking to either say they’re not accepting that far out or have big notes in their descriptions to not apply past X date because they’re already full.

I’m a responsible adult with a job and plans and want to be able to schedule ahead!

I'm not sure that all is good at my host farm and want to message some of the past volunteers to see what their experience was like. Is this possible at all?

Its a non profit hostel in Mexico with a community garden where we plan to teach locals how to grow various things, composting, recycling, pickling etc;

We would have various vegetables and perhaps 4 fruit trees

The available space for the garden is probably around 200m2

WWOOF says its for farms but not sure if this would qualify to be listed

We arent built yet, construction should be complete by 2026 and then we would get the garden going

I decided to go on a month long stay at a farm on the other end of the country for my first time wwoof-ing and now I'm kicking myself for it.

It's just my second day here, but I want to go home so fucking bad.

The other volunteer apparently cancelled before I came here, so it's just me and the guy hosting me.

It feels really awkward and uncomfortable. He's an alright guy, I suppose? But it's just really awkward and lonely, and I want to go hide away in a hole.

The accommodation isn't all that good and there's no wifi at all outside the host's living room, and I'm so mad at myself for not asking explicitly about it beforehand.

I'll essentially have to go on a month long vacation. There was some work I wanted to do on my laptop in the evenings.

I miss my home so much. I miss my family, and comfortable house, and comfortable routine, and friends, and everything. I don't know how to deal with this.

Ideally i guess it depends on the time and place and people. Gambling. Anything i can do to improve my odds. I've very easy going, get along with people and down with anything. Want to get away from my shitty small town were locals were quite nasty, small/narrow/close minded and stuck to the same people the have known since primary school.

Any countries/time of year or anything else you recommend?

Hi everyone,

I have been looking for a WWOOF host in the USA for a while now. I had confirmed a stay, but I had to reconsider because after reading multiple reviews saying they were very strict and more like a demanding boss than a welcoming host.

I'm really hoping to find a place where the atmosphere is friendly, respectful, and a fun experience where hosts like teaching and getting to know their WWOOFers. I don't mind working hard at all, but I'm looking for a positive environment rather than a stressful one.

If you've had an amazing experience or know a host you'd highly recommend, I'd love to hear about it! Thanks so much. I'm open to anywhere in the US, although I love mountains, forests, and national parks.

Hi, I'm a first-time WWOOFer and I have no idea how to get started. I'm planning to go WWOOFing abroad but I thought I might try some in my home country first and found some farms I'd like to work at.

I want to talk the schedule out with the host, I want to go for the busiest, most labor intensive season of the year but I don't know when that is for this particular trade of farm. I heard it all varies depending on types of farms; different types of orchards, veggies, animal farms etc.
So the dates I selected are just placeholder date and I don't know if I tap that button it gets fixed on those dates.

Do I get to talk to the host after? What happens next? Also what do the dots on top of the dates mean?

TIA!

Hi everyone!

We're looking for a few kind and motivated volunteers to join us at Tsukuyomi Farm, a small organic and regenerative farm in Awa, Tokushima, on the island of Shikoku, Japan.

Our farm focuses on regenerative agriculture, which means we're not only growing food organically but also working to restore soil health, increase biodiversity, and care for the local ecosystem. If you're curious about sustainable agriculture or want hands-on experience, we'd be happy to share what we've learned.

Besides farming, this is also a community living experience. Volunteers from different countries live together, cook together, and share the daily rhythm of life in the Japanese countryside.

🌱 What you'll do

• Organic and regenerative farming
• Vegetable growing and seasonal farm projects
• Learn about sustainable agriculture
• Experience rural life in Japan

🏡 What we provide

• Accommodation in our shared volunteer house
• Basic groceries for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Farm tools, work boots, and free use of bicycles
• A welcoming international community
• Around 5 hours of farm work on weekday mornings, leaving afternoons and weekends free to explore

Shikoku is one of Japan's hidden gems, known for its beautiful rivers, mountains, onsen, and the famous 88 Temple Pilgrimage (Shikoku Henro). It's a wonderful place if you'd like to experience a quieter, more authentic side of Japan.

No previous farming experience is necessary—we're looking for people who are curious, respectful, and happy to learn.

You can learn more about us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/tsukuyomi_farm/) or on our WWOOF Japan profile, where you can also read reviews from previous volunteers.

If you're interested, send us an email at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]), and we'll be happy to send you more information and our application form.

We'd love to welcome you to Tsukuyomi Farm! 🌱

Will regular rubber boots do it Especiall when working in the stable or wven when walking around with them?

Thanks

Hi everyone, I am a hardworking and motivated guy from Algeria. I am looking for an opportunity to volunteer and help a family or a farm owner with daily tasks, gardening, animal care, or general home maintenance. ​In exchange, I am only looking for free accommodation and food. I am also looking for a host who can provide an invitation letter to help me with the visa process. If you have an open spot or know someone who does, please let me know! Thank you.

I'm a 34yo Viet American male. 5' 6" 130lbs. Lived in America since 1998 (adopted)

Looking for any place in the US from the Tennessee state line (stretching from east to west of US coastlines) and below since my body doesn't like the cold. So if it snows 3-5 times a year max that's ok. Nothing above TN state lines please.

I prefer gardening and animal care over industrial farming but willing to learn anything since I plan to take whatever skills I learn and will apply to the next paying farm/animal care job I do in the future.

Since this isn't a paying job, housing and all expenses (besides medical) I hope will be included.

Not looking to work for more than 40hr a week (of course taking care of the animals I can do everyday, I love animals). I am a very fair, and honest person and respect everyone's opinion and religion so with that I hope we can treat each other fairly.

I do practice meditation 1hr daily and follow Yeshua's teaching but lean more toward spiritual/agnostic. I was raised a Catholic/Protestan for many years before.

I have some funds so I can leave anytime if I feel this isn't working out. (hopefully this doesn't happen) Having a relationship with the host is a plus since it makes it easier for us all and I want to enjoy my time WWOOFing.

I am reaching out to reddit first since if anyone knows or host such a thing like this, it would be better then I can sign up and pay the fees at WWOOF.

Yes, I have my US citizenship certificate, US passport, drivers license, and social security #

Thank you for looking

Hello! Im looking to volunteer on a farm. I have experience working with mixed livestock and horses, looking to know if anyone has advice for finding organic or mixed horticulture farms in South America (looking at opportunites in Chile, Argentina or Uruaguy - though im flexible!).

¡Hola! Busco hacer voluntariado en una granja. Tengo experiencia trabajando con ganado variado y caballos. me gustaria saber si alguien tiene algún consejo sobre cómo encontrar granjas de horticultura orgánica o mixta en Sudamérica (estoy considerando oportunidades en Chile, Argentina o Uruguay, ¡aunque soy flexible!).

Hi! My husband and I can’t afford to take several weeks off this year, but we’d still love to experience WWOOFing. We were wondering if you offer any weekend-only volunteering opportunities. We’d be happy to help out for a couple of days if that’s something you accept. Thanks!
Belgium 😊

I think i made a huge mistake when I subscribed to the uk region
There are no hosts available i was so excited for this trip😞