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Wwoofing/Wwoofers in Spain

Wwoofing/Wwoofers in Spain

Old Sep 2nd 2009, 12:11 pm
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Default Wwoofing/Wwoofers in Spain

Further to a mention in another thread, I wonder if anyone's got any up to date info about whether it's really possible/feasible/realistic to be a Wwoof host in Spain. I'm a bit concerned because I've read a few times now about people taking advantage of their volunteers, poor accommodation, etc.
I had several Wwoofers in the UK, and knew people who couldn't have run their place without them (and treated them very well - it amounted to organic horticultural training as well as food & accommodation). I wanted to get involved again (not yet fully irrigated steep Andalucian hillside getting the better of me!)
If the country's got a bad reputation for Wwoof hosting, does this mean folk generally would avoid us like the plague? Or not really work as you might expect? Anyone a Wwoof host themselves?
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Old Sep 2nd 2009, 12:34 pm
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Default Re: Wwoofing/Wwoofers in Spain

Originally Posted by fionamw
Further to a mention in another thread, I wonder if anyone's got any up to date info about whether it's really possible/feasible/realistic to be a Wwoof host in Spain. I'm a bit concerned because I've read a few times now about people taking advantage of their volunteers, poor accommodation, etc.
I had several Wwoofers in the UK, and knew people who couldn't have run their place without them (and treated them very well - it amounted to organic horticultural training as well as food & accommodation). I wanted to get involved again (not yet fully irrigated steep Andalucian hillside getting the better of me!)
If the country's got a bad reputation for Wwoof hosting, does this mean folk generally would avoid us like the plague? Or not really work as you might expect? Anyone a Wwoof host themselves?
Go on, give us a clue ....
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Old Sep 2nd 2009, 12:38 pm
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Default Re: Wwoofing/Wwoofers in Spain

Originally Posted by snikpoh
Go on, give us a clue ....
I think she means this

http://www.wwoof.org/
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Old Sep 2nd 2009, 2:45 pm
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Default Re: Wwoofing/Wwoofers in Spain

Originally Posted by lynnxa
I think she means this

http://www.wwoof.org/

Sorry, I guess it was a bit left field if you haven't come across it before.... an international organisation helping to bring together organic farmers/smallholders who could do with some help, with volunteers who may simply want to get away from the hustle & bustle for a couple of days or who may be committed organic/permacultural type folk wanting to learn a bit more about all the processes involved. The volunteers get food & accommodation in return for an amount of hours work to be agreed with the host....who may have anything between a large garden/small smallholding & a huge farm. The problems seem to have arisen in Spain (or so I've read...) because hosts have been getting free workers & offering the volunteers only the most basic accommodation.
My experience as a host in the UK was of no problems whatsoever, yet wanting to become a host in Spain.... hence this thread.


Willing Workers on Organic Farms (used to be Working Weekends on Organic Farms)

Last edited by fionamw; Sep 2nd 2009 at 2:47 pm. Reason: Brain Freeze... I blame the cold coke.
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Old Sep 2nd 2009, 3:55 pm
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Default Re: Wwoofing/Wwoofers in Spain

What's the difference with being a host in UK to here?
Can't quite see your point.
Woofers are international, some are good some are bad, it's pot luck really.
Irrigating your hillside may not come under the heading of organic farming.
Lets face it, many hosts use woofers for cheap labour and as I have said on the other thread, the spanish call them slaves.
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Old Sep 2nd 2009, 6:08 pm
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Default Re: Wwoofing/Wwoofers in Spain

Originally Posted by twistedmelon
the spanish call them slaves.
They call them Morrocans where we are
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Old Sep 2nd 2009, 10:28 pm
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Default Re: Wwoofing/Wwoofers in Spain

Originally Posted by missile
They call them Morrocans where we are
Morocans here
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Old Sep 3rd 2009, 7:53 am
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Default Re: Wwoofing/Wwoofers in Spain

I know a couple of people around our way (both Germans) who have wwooffers, they seem to have some every year. I have also heard of several others (all expats). One I know gives them caravan accommodation and a shower/toilet in a purpose-built building, I don't know what the others do.

But surely if you are going to have them you will look after them properly? Don't quite see what the problem is?
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Old Sep 3rd 2009, 8:51 am
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Default Re: Wwoofing/Wwoofers in Spain

Originally Posted by scampicat
I know a couple of people around our way (both Germans) who have wwooffers, they seem to have some every year. I have also heard of several others (all expats). One I know gives them caravan accommodation and a shower/toilet in a purpose-built building, I don't know what the others do.

But surely if you are going to have them you will look after them properly? Don't quite see what the problem is?
I know people who have used woofers and both parties have always been happy, it meant for students who have limited funds but want to travel and learn , you will always get people who misunderstand its purpose and treat it as normal work then whinge about workers rights ,poor pay and everything else ,these type usually could not do a full days work in the campo regardless of employment pay and conditions!!

Woofers and www.helpx.net users know what the deal is before they get there and I think it offers a great oppertunity for people with limited funds to travel the world.If you want to live in a nanny state where someone holds your hand all day then stay in the U.K.
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Old Sep 3rd 2009, 10:17 am
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Default Re: Wwoofing/Wwoofers in Spain

Ah well,shows how much I know.
When I first saw the thread title I thought,.....here we go again.
.....another problem with noisy barking dogs!.........
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Old Sep 3rd 2009, 10:34 am
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Default Re: Wwoofing/Wwoofers in Spain

Originally Posted by Dick Dasterdly
Ah well,shows how much I know.
When I first saw the thread title I thought,.....here we go again.
.....another problem with noisy barking dogs!.........

Could also have been about gays or is that woofters
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Old Sep 3rd 2009, 10:45 am
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Default Re: Wwoofing/Wwoofers in Spain

Originally Posted by Rotor
Could also have been about gays or is that woofters
That's not appropriate
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Old Sep 3rd 2009, 10:46 am
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Default Re: Wwoofing/Wwoofers in Spain

Originally Posted by twistedmelon
That's not appropriate
No, but funny
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Old Sep 3rd 2009, 10:49 am
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Default Re: Wwoofing/Wwoofers in Spain

Originally Posted by twistedmelon
That's not appropriate
Get a sense of humour ,if your gay make some straight jokes ,I dont care ,Remamber Political Correctness is not in the spanish vocabulary
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Old Sep 3rd 2009, 10:55 am
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Default Re: Wwoofing/Wwoofers in Spain

I'm inclined to agree that everyone in the Wwoof organisation knows in theory what they're getting involved in. And yes of course I've accommodated Wwoofers pretty much as a member of the family, and worked with them rather than leave them alone. And not expected more than a half reasonable working day. however having read of problems in Spain, both within Wwoof webstuff and the other thread, I was just a bit timid about dipping my toe in the water. I suppose it's the pessimist/cynic/whatever in me wondering if there were problems where there are none.
btw it's rather more than irrigating, I have 'smallheld' (??!!) previously in the UK and know a fair amount about permaculture, which is my endgame ideal here; and despite the prevalence of goats am still struggling to fertilise the 'soil'.... plus, surely organic farming is organic farming wherever you are, hillside or otherwise?
(overlooking the hypocrisy of having to use a gas guzzler 4x4 to get here....)

..... PC used to be a bobby on the beat. Far easier to understand
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