In The Media
Media coverage of WWOOF and related activities
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Outdoor & sustainable magazine
This host family makes almost all their own living resources themselves. Not only for food, but for their house as well. They were on a TV program called ‘Sustaina!’.
WWOOFing in Japan was also featured.
WWOOFing in Japan was also featured.
A WWOOF Japan host was interviewed by Japanese TV media.
A WWOOF Japan host was interviewed by a well-known movie star (top photo). This actor also has his own farm, and is enjoying two different lifestyles.
Shizuoka Newspaper
A chairperson of an agricultural management association wrote the following article:
"When I was 25, I got to know WWOOFing in Australia. Now I have been a WWOOF Japan host for nearly 14 years, and 300 WWOOFers from around the world have visited us. Most of them are young people, but their thinking is mature, and have helped us understand what aspects of Japan are good, and what aspects are in need of change. The WWOOFers have influenced our children, and they love meeting new people who come from different backgrounds, and have different senses of value. Hooray, WWOOF!"
A WWOOF Japan team member recorded a radio interview. Due to COVID-19, she did it remotely.
WWOOF Japan is being showcased by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries, on the Japanese government website page.
JNTO: Japan National Tourism Organization
French WWOOFers Mathilde & Jonathan made a documentary film. WWOOFing became a huge stepping stone for them, towards sustainable ways of life, to meet new people in Japan and to create this fantastic art. The film is: DEKIRU, C'EST POSSIBLE.
In 2018, WWOOF Japan received an award from The Organization for Urban-Rural Interchange Revitalization, The competition and the award associated is called “All Right Nippon”.
A WWOOFer from the USA and the host family are enjoying themselves together.
The host says, “WWOOFers from various countries bring a new breeze to our life, which makes us happy.”
The WWOOFer calls them “Otosan (father)” and “Okasan (mother)”. He says, “I’m pleased that I can help out here. I can learn real Japanese daily life.”
Dohiru
Thai-PBS (Thai Public Broadcasting Service)
September 3, 2017
ไปเป็นหมาป่า ล่าประสบการณ์ 1
ชวนไปญี่ปุ่นแบบได้ประสบการณ์ที่หาไม่ได้จากที่ไหน ตามหมาป่าทั้งสองไป กับโครงการ wwoof เพื่อตามล่าหาสิ่งที่ต่างไปจากชีวิตที่คุณเคยมีเคยเป็น ติดตามในดูให้รู้ วันที่ 3 ก.ย.นี้ ทางไทยพีบีเอส
WWOOFers from Thailand enjoyed WWOOFing at hosts in Nagano prefecture and in Gifu prefecture.
A WWOOFer from Australia who was at a pig keeping farm said "Going sightseeing in big cities is just fine, but WWOOFing is appealing because you can make a genuine connection with local people."
At a different Host there were WWOOFers from Canada and Germany, who took good care of the Host's children, and were being relied on by the busy mum.
A WWOOFer from France was on Japanese TV with his WWOOF Host lady. The house which used to breed silkworms was built more than 200 years ago. The area is now famous for grapes & wine. You can see they enjoy drinking wine with local people.
From the NHK TV program Living Beyond Boundaries (December 2014)
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Swiss Farm Newspaper May 2013
Swiss Farm Newspaper May 2013
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U Magazine Hong Kong, September 2009
U Magazine Hong Kong, September 2009
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The Metropolis Magazine, June 2009
These people rode their bicycles for the length of Japan and stayed at WWOOF Japan hosts along the way. We at the WWOOF Japan office were happy to assist them.
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This article speaks to the issue of "transport poverty", but does not point out options and means to avoiding that poverty. Get a bicycle. Walk. Car pool with others. Avoid the transport poverty trap. This is just one of the means by which we can make a difference to our own lives and to the impact on our environment, by having and honing a WWOOF like attitude to our daily lives in the city!
This article speaks to the issue of "transport poverty", but does not point out options and means to avoiding that poverty. Get a bicycle. Walk. Car pool with others. Avoid the transport poverty trap. This is just one of the means by which we can make a difference to our own lives and to the impact on our environment, by having and honing a WWOOF like attitude to our daily lives in the city!
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Canadian film maker WWOOFing in Japan
Canadian film maker WWOOFing in Japan
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This is an 'organic' story! Although the text is in Japanese, we wanted to share it with English speakers. Congruent with the theme we are promoting here at WWOOF Japan, that in addition to organic farming and foods, we need too hone an organic attitude to life. This chap cycling all the way from Kyushu at the southern end of Japan, to Hokkaido in the north, WWOOFing with hosts along the way, and ending at the WWOOF Japan office, is a fine example of doin' it organically! Traveling 3,600 kilometres and staying at 20 different hosts along the way. Once he arrived at the WWOOF Japan office, we helped him do maintainence on his bike, fed him well, and a few days later he went back to Kyushu by ferry.
Here is the newspaper article in Japanese.
Here is a photo of him earning his food and boarding at a host's place en route.
This is an 'organic' story! Although the text is in Japanese, we wanted to share it with English speakers. Congruent with the theme we are promoting here at WWOOF Japan, that in addition to organic farming and foods, we need too hone an organic attitude to life. This chap cycling all the way from Kyushu at the southern end of Japan, to Hokkaido in the north, WWOOFing with hosts along the way, and ending at the WWOOF Japan office, is a fine example of doin' it organically! Traveling 3,600 kilometres and staying at 20 different hosts along the way. Once he arrived at the WWOOF Japan office, we helped him do maintainence on his bike, fed him well, and a few days later he went back to Kyushu by ferry.
Here is the newspaper article in Japanese.
Here is a photo of him earning his food and boarding at a host's place en route.
Photo, Delegates at the 2nd International WWOOF Coordinators' Conference in Japan
In October 2006, representatives from nine WWOOF groups including USA, New Zealand, Austraia, Germany, France, Italy, Canada, UK, and Japan, met in Sapporo Japan for a three day conference. The primary thrust of the conference, as outlined in the Conference Agenda, was to debate and vote on matters towards the establishment of an International WWOOF Association (IWA). It was hard work, compromises made, and delegates voted overwhelming in agreement to establish the IWA. Subsequent consultations with the same WWOOF groups and other groups who could not attend the Sapporo meeting called for an IWA that would represent all WWOOF groups equally in an open and democratic forum. The interim website for this IWA can be seen at
www.wwoofinternational.org
Here is a photo of the people who attended the 2nd International WWOOF Coordinators' Conference.
Sapporo, Japan,
29th October – 2nd November 2006
Sue Coppard: Founder of WWOOF
Garry Ainsworth and Maree Swan, Australia
John van den Heuvel, Canada
David Marie and Alexandra Denais, France
Erica Altmann, Germany
Alan Pink, Italy
Glenn and Kyoko Burns, Japan
Andrew and Jane Strange, New Zealand
Sue Seymour, United Kingdom
Leo Goldsmith and Jessica Brodie, United States of America
Special thanks to Mr and Mrs Murakami for having us all visit them for lunch and a look at their organic farm.
In October 2006, representatives from nine WWOOF groups including USA, New Zealand, Austraia, Germany, France, Italy, Canada, UK, and Japan, met in Sapporo Japan for a three day conference. The primary thrust of the conference, as outlined in the Conference Agenda, was to debate and vote on matters towards the establishment of an International WWOOF Association (IWA). It was hard work, compromises made, and delegates voted overwhelming in agreement to establish the IWA. Subsequent consultations with the same WWOOF groups and other groups who could not attend the Sapporo meeting called for an IWA that would represent all WWOOF groups equally in an open and democratic forum. The interim website for this IWA can be seen at
www.wwoofinternational.org
Here is a photo of the people who attended the 2nd International WWOOF Coordinators' Conference.
Sapporo, Japan,
29th October – 2nd November 2006
Sue Coppard: Founder of WWOOF
Garry Ainsworth and Maree Swan, Australia
John van den Heuvel, Canada
David Marie and Alexandra Denais, France
Erica Altmann, Germany
Alan Pink, Italy
Glenn and Kyoko Burns, Japan
Andrew and Jane Strange, New Zealand
Sue Seymour, United Kingdom
Leo Goldsmith and Jessica Brodie, United States of America
Special thanks to Mr and Mrs Murakami for having us all visit them for lunch and a look at their organic farm.
REPORT, 2nd International WWOOF Coordinators' Meeting, Sapporo, Japan, 2006
Seeking Ways of Working Together for a Sustainable Future
REPORT Sapporo, Japan,
29th October – 2nd November 2006
Purpose of the Conference
The primary aim of this conference was to establish IWA – the International WWOOF Association. The idea for an IWA was originally put forward back in the WWOOF 2000 Conference in England, and this 2nd conference in many ways picked up from where those discussions left off. Issues to be decided included: membership to IWA, the Mission Statement, what IWA should (and shouldn’t) do and how IWA would work in practise. An important value IWA upholds (both in 2000 and in the latest conference) is that it provides equal representation for all WWOOF groups.
During the 6 years following the first conference, membership numbers (hosts and WWOOFers) had grown fairly strongly for many WWOOF organisations. There had also been a significant growth in the number of WWOOF Organisations including; Bulgaria, China, Costa Rica, Czech, France, Mexico, Nepal, Slovenia, Sweden, and Turkey. In the later years various international “issues” arose which required some management to resolve. With no facility for democratic decision making, it was a natural choice to bring WWOOF coordinators together once again to find some solutions.
Delegates
Sue Coppard Founder of WWOOF
Garry Ainsworth and Maree Swan Australia
John van den Heuvel Canada
David Marie and Alexandra Denais France
Erica Altmann Germany
Alan Pink Italy
Glenn and Kyoko Burns Japan
Andrew and Jane Strange New Zealand
Sue Seymour United Kingdom
Leo Goldsmith and Jessica Brodie United States of America
The Conference Diary
29th October.
By the end of the day all are in Sapporo, with many meeting at Glenn and Kyoko’s home to chat and enjoy Kyoko’s fresh sushi.
30th October.
The meeting was opened by the founder Sue Coppard who expressed delight at this gathering and enormous thanks to WWOOF Japan for organising it so magnificently. She continued saying there was nothing like meeting in person, and that WWOOF organisers were doing a great job for the world. She urged wwoof groups to avoid appearing paternalistic, but to develop structures that would encourage input and inspiration from the members and create an ethos of worker-owned co-operative. This would have long term benefits.
She felt that WWOOF had chosen her as its channel and ended with the following:
“Great spirit of life
Who has given us such a beautiful world
Fill our hearts with love for our fellow beings throughout the planet
And help us to serve the well-being of all”
May the Light always shine through WWOOF
Delegates began work on the 9 agenda items. Each agenda item was chaired by a different WWOOF organiser in turn. Kyoko kept the team regularly refreshed with Japanese tea and for lunch all were treated to bento boxes – full of fresh fish and organic vegetables.
The meeting finished at 6pm and it was back to Nakamura-ya ryokan to relax and chat (apparently there was even hot-tubbing and karaokeing happening!). Special thanks to Alan and Maree who carried on typing up the minutes throughout the evening.
31st October.
All travelled by train and bus for a few hours to the coastal town of Yoichi. An hours walk up the road we visited a WWOOF Japan host who produces organic eggs. Over lunch we talked about being a WWOOF Host in Japan, including how hosts need to be careful that the indigenous bears from the nearby forest do not eat the WWOOFers!
Once back at our accommodation at Tokushima-ya ryokan all gathered together for the second meeting. There was a review of the first meeting and a range of other issues were discussed.
What the Conference Achieved
While many groups came to the table with differing points of views on various issues, it became clear that with face-to-face debate, common ground was often found. Following is a list of agreements and recommendations made by those at the meeting:
The Sapporo Agreements
Part 1) Definition of a WWOOF Group
1.1 Must produce a list of hosts some of whom are organic farms or grow organically. Other host can be listed as long as there is a clear differentiation. Host listings must be accurate and up to date.
Comments made.
a) Where a farm was not wholly organic WWOOFers should only help on the organic part.
b) Growing organically for self sufficiency was sufficient.
c) For hosts listed as farm plus secondary activity WWOOFers should only help on the farm activity i.e. farm + B&B or restaurant.
1.2 They must maintain details of host and volunteers.
1.3 Lists should differentiate between type of host, i.e. organic farm / other activity (permaculture/ forest gardens, self sufficient pottery, organic fish farming, low impact sustainable dwelling construction etc etc.)
1.4 Must be run in accordance with the agreed aims and principles established at the 2000 conference.
a) Facilitate getting people into the countryside.
b) Based on non monetary exchange.
c) Help the Organic movement.
d) Aim to promote organic growing, sustainable lifestyle and social sharing.
Groups work towards these aims by facilitating a non monetary exchange. Human energy in return for sustenance and shelter between their volunteer members and host members.
People/ organic principles before financial considerations.
1.5 WWOOF groups can sell other goods and services as long as the provision of their list is not dependent on the purchase of these other goods and services.
1.6 Must contact their hosts at least once a year.
1.7 Must have a complaints procedure.
1.8 It was recommended that they communicate with all members once per year - a newsletter was the suggested method.
Part 2) Criteria for IWA membership
2.1 Must be a genuine wwoof group as defined in Part 1.
2.2 Pay the annual membership fee as and when required.
2.3 Membership of any national organisation covering more than one country would be considered as a single membership i.e. one vote.
2.4 Must nominate one person as the national organisations spokesperson.
2.5 To support other wwoof groups
Part 3) Mission Statement
After an explanation of what a mission statement should be the following was agreed on:
The principle mission of the IWA is to provide an equal and independent opportunity for all wwoof groups to present themselves to the World through the IWA website. We strive to enliven, support and foster the social, cultural and economic opportunities within the organic volunteer movement through the workings of all wwoof organisations. and their members.
We recognise our role worldwide to develop, strengthen, promote and acknowledge the diversity of individual wwoof groups. We participate in sharing human resources within and through out the World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms.
Part 4) Functions of the IWA
4.1 Maintain a National Organisation starter pack to be given to prospective national organisations. The IWA will then deal with all enquiries. Whenever there was a case of a new group starting up in a country where hosts are already listed by a WWOOF group then that original listing group will be included in the negotiations.
It was agreed that a valid starter pack should be produced as soon as possible. A sub group of:
France - David Marie
New Zealand - Andrew Strange
UK - Sue Seymour
was formed to carry this out with the resulting IWA pack was sent to all groups for opinion and consultation. Each new group would be provided with a starter pack and as much help and collaboration as possible to enable them to get started. Once a national organisation had started there would be a period of up to 12 months “running in” for the new national organisation, after which the worldwide lists would cease listing that country’s hosts. This was considered valid for completely new start ups but not to apply too rigidly to France, Spain, Portugal and Belgium who were already well on the way to becoming independent.
4.2 Maintain a register of interest and progress towards forming new groups.
4.3 Produce a quarterly newsletter - electronic only.
4.4 To provide the principle website for all WWOOFing in the world under the domain name wwoof.org. This would happen once the IWA was up and running and functioning well and the related technical problems had been resolved.
4.5 The IWA would finance the technical costs for this changeover.
4.6 Maintain open and transparent communications between all WWOOF groups. Groups could choose to have all IWA communications copied to them.
4.7 Donations should not be given directly from one group to another. They should be channelled through the IWA.
4.8 Produce and maintain an international list of hosts in countries without a national organisation. Australia and Independents will stop producing international lists and hand over these hosts to the IWA.
Progress with this will happen once the IWA is up and running.
4.9 Seek engagement with other groups and bodies for the common good.
4.10 Be a united voice with regard to issues relating to national tourism, environment and ecology.
4.11 To mediate contentious issues between members.
4.12 Arrange future international coordinator meetings - every 3 - 4 years.
4.13 Promote organic growing, food preparation, lifestyle:
Whilst considered a valid point for the IWA ‘s attention this was felt to be beyond the remit of the meeting.
Part 5) Running the IWA
After a rough calculation of the expected costs
$ 600 - Newsletter
$ 1000 - Website
$ 2000 - unforeseen
It was estimated that each national organisation would contribute 0.50 c per host. Each national org. was free to give discounted host membership but would be responsible for the full amount to the IWA.
Nat organisations with less than 100 hosts would not be obliged to contribute but were free to choose to do so.
It was agreed that the hosts count would be as at 31st. December each year, with payment to be made in advance when required for the forthcoming year. It was accepted that this cost could increase when the true costs of the IWA were known.
5.1 The IWA would pay for it’s own staff but until it starts operating it would not be possible to estimate these costs.
5.2 The operating principles and structure of the IWA (President, Secretary, committee, treasurer) would be defined in the IWA charter which would be prepared during the coming months, and distributed for consultation and approval.
5.3 It was agreed that each national org would either file a current copy of their host list with the IWA or provide contact details of successor/support staff, at the discretion of each individual WWOOF group, in order to guarantee continuity in the event of a serious problem causing an interruption of the national organisations ability to function.
5.4 Open an account with a financial institution when it is formed. WWOOF Japan is currently holding the IWA funds and will transfer the balance as soon as this is done.
Part 6) Start Time for the IWA
It was agreed that Sue Seymour (UK) would handle the first round of the consultation with all other WWOOF groups regarding the setting up of the IWA. Leo would coordinate the second round of consultation ending in April. The IWA would cover his expenses.
An official mailing list will be created for this purpose.
Part 7) IFOAM – International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements
A precis of the possibilities of affiliation with IFOAM, resulting from IFOAM’s initial approach to the IWA. Once the IWA is officially formed (April) this will continue.
Part 8) The Official Status of IWA
It was agreed that the IWA’s formation should be as formal and as correct as possible with regard to the laws governing international associations. After examining the procedure it was decided that further research was required before this could be embarked upon.
A sub group of
Canada - John Vanden Heuvel
Italy - Alan Pink
New Zealand - Andrew Strange
UK - Sue Seymour
was set up to work on the operating structure of the IWA. Alan - WWOOF Italy, had already done some research on this and volunteered to take on the task of preparing the rough draft of a charter. Each national organisation has been asked to research their countries laws regarding associations/N.G.O’s. with a view to finding the most suitable country to register the IWA.
Other Discussions
INSURANCE.
It was agreed that WWOOFer insurance was desirable but it was left to each national organisations’ discretion.
WWOOF KOREA.
Returning to this item which had been raised the previous day it was suggested that Glen (Japan) pursue this as it referred directly to WWOOF Japan and that Glenn would contact Korea for clarification.
A “Rogue” WWOOF Canada book was shown round and the opinion expressed that this could also be the work of WWOOF Korea.
John Vanden Heuvel (Canada) was letting it ride for the time being.
THE IWA WEBSITE
It was recognised that as the IWA has not, as yet, been officially formed and agreed that it does not exist at this point in time.
It was agreed that www.wwoofinternational.org should remain on-line and it was suggested that the www.wwoof.org domain would present the same opening page. Concerns were raised that this would entail changes (possibly drastic) to the web pages currently under the wwoof.org domain and that this would be carried out when technical issues had been resolved.
After much discussion regarding the information that should be published on these websites it was agreed that for the time being this information should be limited to the statement “The IWA is in the process of being formed” and that any contact regarding the IWA should be replied to with the statement “The IWA is in the process of being formed and should be active by April 2007, please be patient and bear with us until then.” Any enquiries regarding individual national organisations should be replied to with the suggestion to contact the national organisation directly.
It was noted that the International Wwoof Association, as a name, implied that people could join this association and go WWOOFing anywhere in the world. It was agreed not to use the phrase International Wwoof Association yet but to use the letters IWA on all websites. Input is welcome from all groups regarding the website.
A concern was raised at WWOOF Ltd. making international decisions on behalf of WWOOF as a whole. It was pointed out that, with no IWA formed and no one else to turn to, WWOOF Ltd. had become the default organisation to contact for new national organisations and that with the advent of the IWA this would no longer be the case.
*Note A query has been raised that the above statement is incomplete. The recording of the minutes is being studied and if any changes are made to this statement will be issued as an addendum.
WWOOF HAWAII
At present WWOOF Hawaii is run by John (Canada) and WWOOF USA and WWOOF Independents also lists Hawaiian hosts. After noting that although Hawaii is part of the USA, WWOOF USA did not exist when WWOOF Hawaii started and that Hawaiian hosts consider themselves independent Hawaiian and not part of the USA, John (Canada) and Jessica and Leo (USA) would work together to find a solution to this situation that would be in the best interests of the hosts and WWOOFers.
It was acknowledged that everyone is entitled to run their own national organisation as they see fit providing they adhere to the general principles of WWOOF and that we should:
Operate within our own countries in the best interests of our own hosts and WWOOFers.
Not interfere with other countries operations.
Strive to get rid of territorial issues.
Refer any dispute to the IWA rather than take personal initiative.
Organic Volunteers
After some discussion it was decided that Organic Volunteers, however valid they are, are not an official WWOOF group and will be removed from WWOOF mailing lists.
John (Canada) was willing to contact them with this news and was asked to do everything possible to maintain good relations.
WWOOF FRANCE
David and Alex (France) gave a précis of the difficulties they had faced and the progress that had been made towards setting up WWOOF France.
The starter pack received from WWOOF NZ was useful.
They are now in discussion with and have the support of WWOOF Independents.
Have been supplied with the contact details of French Hosts by Australia and Independents they are comparing the two lists and are in the process of contacting the Hosts.
They are currently working to resolve some legal issues.
Their website is now live It was agreed that Australia and Independents would, after further discussion with David and Alex, stop listing French hosts when David and Alex have their administration system set up and able to provide a list of French Hosts for people wanting to WWOOF in France.
Progress toward forming the Association
There was strong support for the agreements made in Sapporo and a large majority have endorsed the formation of an association.
Some groups outlined other benefits that hadn’t been look at yet. WWOOF Sweden commented, “It is important to legitimize WWOOF, to get the support of the UN, for example”. WWOOF Spain commented “Maybe create a common ground for ideas, activities, setting precedents and reference for all the WWOOF community. Maybe to reinforce WWOOF organisations’ rights?”
Some groups were concerned about bureaucracy so this needs to be taken in to account when drafting the charter for the association.
Revenue from the IWA International list will generate significant funding for the association, which is something that hasn’t been considered yet.
Currently groups are being consulted on what type of structure the association should have – we’ll keep you posted!
Thank you to everyone for so much support.
Glenn and Kyoko
WWOOF Japan
Convenor of the 2nd WWOOF Coordinators’ Conference
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The following 2 pages are from Japan Scope, Vol 8, May 2007. Thank you to Stephen Lebovits.
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This article was written by Deborah Mantle, for the magazine Kansai Time Out, in June 2007.
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