WWOOFing Advice + the terrible farm I stayed at in Hawaii
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- Опубліковано 10 жов 2024
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a lot of FAKE and presumptuous you tube travelers out there on you tube, and YOU are DEFINITELY NOT one of those! ;) In fact you seem so intelligent, creatively talented, entertaining, insightful and authentically beautiful both inside and out, oh and love your senses of humor, more entertaining that way also! ;) You are sure keeping it real girl friend! ✌ So many points you mentioned I can back up as 100% relatable TRUTH from my own unique WWoof experience as a solo Female traveler. It's both risky, gutsy, and physically and mentally challenging in many aspects! x
nature love thank you sister!!!
I am a potential host, your comments have made me think about what I can offer wwoofers etc.. transport and income are areas I am reviewing because of your reflections... as for food.. I think I am generous.. but when feeding someone with different dietary restrictions then I need to do some research so thanks for this..your comments re single travellers was extremely helpful.. so all in all a very useful post!
so many hosts exploit the system it's awful, worked 40+ hours a week on one farm....... messed up
hi! did you become a host? i'm currently wanting to wwoof in hawaii in the upcoming weeks! but also wanting to skip the the WWOOF website administration fee
Hello what county are you hosting in ?
Giselle ...lets connect ....I can stay at ur place
Decent accommodation with clean hot shower and toilet, AC (fans do not provide adequate relief in hot weather), clean potable water and plentiful food according to your volunteer's dietary needs (physical work requires adequate protein and micro nutrient intake), screens or mosquito netting on the windows (to protect from bugs and bat bites), a bed with a decent mattress to provide for adequate sleep. Respect. Volunteers are not your indentured slaves. They are helping you to save money on running your operation. If you feel that providing decent living conditions for a volunteer is too expensive, then please do not become a host.
Finally someone who tells the truth about wwoofing.
I used to have my on farm and vet clinic and the past three years I have wwoofed quite a bit.
I must say that 80% of the time, it was mostly about working the woofers as much as possible. One farmer on the west coast would have gotten a nomination from me as being the biggest asshole around, just pushing pushing pushing the woofers, and if you weren’t fast enough then he would ridicule you or the others.
We were going to cut blackberry bushes and pull them out and feed them to the goats. He gave me a pair of woollen gloves in which you could still feel the thorns, and I told him that I needed, leather gloves. He looked at me as if I were crazy and looked at me with dismay and said, well then you muck out the barn. We did not spent an average of 4 to 5 hours per day woofing with 2 days off, we spent 7 to 8 hours 6 days per week and on sundays we still had to do some chores.
The feedback system is not fair either, I complained to the organization, but they weren’t that helpful either.
I think that using woofing is slave labour, cheap for the farmers. I belief that if the hosts don’t follow the rules they should be kicked out of the wwoofing network. Fair is fair, but using young inexperienced people from other countries who are basically stuck on your farm, is dirty backstabbing practice. They should pay them if they work more. What do you think of these farmers?
I could make many comparisons but you hit one of the nails on the head when you mention that the organization was not helpful either. It's not in their best interest (though, obviously, if they had integrity...) to be critical of the hosts/landlords.
But I'd be remiss to add that it's up to those workers to just walk away. If you put up with that abuse you just promote the notion that the hosts can exploit you.
You are 100% correct. Add helpX and workaway . Same story.
Hi Hollie, I really appreciate your honesty about your experience WWOOFing. I am a host and was selected as an Ambassador for WWOOF for the state of Arizona last year to go out and verify host farms to be sure they are complying with hosting qualifications. I could not verify a few of the farms because of the substandard qualities they provided. We have had for the most part an amazing experience with our guests and would not trade it for anything. It is a great program if both parties take their responsibilities seriously. Much Love, Jim
Says "lots of food being provided", sheep cry out in horror! Very suspicious.
Loveeee thatttt braiiinnnn
Thank You. My daughter and her bf just arrived for a Wwoof experience on the big island yesterday. They probably know about you by now but this video is in their email. best regards
Thank you, Huckleberry friend. I am an older woman, still thinking I might do woofing in Mexico where I live, but you have given me the big reality check. Hard enough for young chicks, say nothing of old hens! So no, not too pessimistic. I lived on the Big Island in the early 2000. We did alot of housesitting. Had jobs. WE looked into the farms and heard ALOT of horror stories, so we never pursued it. You are protecting alot of young people from getting out there and getting stranded in a bad sitch.
I been Born in Maui and lived on Oahu, all I got to say don’t believe anyone anymore, watch your back and be on guard. Be safe Hawaii is not like before.
Yes!
I did woofing in Spain and the family were just awesome in every way! I hope you get that experience too!
can u share the woofing place you worked in spain?
Hii would you be willing to share the farm you stayed at?
Yes, would be interest as well where you went.
This video was NOT a downer. You just told the truth. And, it would be irresponsible on your part if you didn't warn people of the downsides. I think you did a very good job.
I know this video is from long back, But it really helped me reduce my expectations a lot. Hope you are doing great these days.
Thank you for this, You really talked about this in a soul level.
Thank You for your realism and sincerity. I do not know you, but it seems that this experience has matured you, in Life. Your Family must be proud of you, i certainly am. By the way i am 59 years old, female and will hopefully be having my 1st WWooF experience soon. Upstate New York. Appreciate you & Bsafe.
as a former worktrader myself, now that I have my own place, I am really hesitant to use the worktrade networks or volunteers in general. In this area a lot of communities/farms have made volunteers an essential part of either running their farm or getting their eco construction projects done for cheap under the guise of workshops etc.. Thank you for sharing this.
I’m 57 and love your channel. When I was your age, I wish I would have looked into something like this. I’m sure your viewers appreciate your honesty and information.
retrobebop61 no it’s a cult
You still can definitely do it! It not only helps voluntarily but helps you grow as an individual as well! Don't let your age define what you want to do in life. Never too old to help and experience new things.
I'm 55 and considering it :) Heaven help me....
You did not miss much, unless you are a masochist.
This video clip is not a downer at all. Your honesty and straightforwardness are greatly appreciated.
My husband and I have been WWOOFing for almost 4 years at this point in Hawaii. Maui was an amazing 🤩 experience. Kauai..not so much. 😢 we’re not quite sure where we are going next..but ALWAYS do your research first and ALWAYS trust your instincts 🙏
still WWOOF'g Hawaii, and if so, how is the experience so far and any to avoid?
Thank you so much for sharing your transparent and honest feedback about this. A lot of videos on UA-cam just show B-roll with no explanation of anything, so I REALLY appreciate you making this video. Mahalo 💛
I want too....what should I do...?? Please reply...
And actually many young people have huge ideas about work trading in Hawaii. As an older motivated female, I have worked with many people like yourself, and it was one demand after another. Freeloading and sitting back takin it easy. You may be different but whatever, prices are extremely high. So what do you all expect. Good luck.
So happy to hear that you have more free time for YOU :) recharging your soul and nurturing yourself is so important xx can't wait to see more of your adventures to come xx
Honestly, we stayed at a farm on the BI that had a dozen woofers, and they all seemed really happy there. I think it depends on who the farm owner is, and who the woofers are. Some will connect, some won't.
I camped on the Big Island for three weeks and met a lot of woofers guerilla camping around the island. Lotsa European and mainland hippies and stuff. One guy we met followed up with us in Detroit trying to deal the same situation. It didn't work out. As an adventurer I loved the Big Island. Great videos sista. Grow strong.
Living in Maui now just aided two underfed in their escape…look out for labor and sex trafficking. Trust your instincts and get out ASAP if you find yourself in a situation. Don’t gaslight yourself, just trust it!
What ya mean? You ok?
Can't get out if don't have a car. Rent a car, do not try save money at the expense of your safety or well-being.
Wondering what you thoughts are on woofing as a family. We have money to back ya up but we are really looking for the experience and we are able to live out of back packs and be very adaptable.
Wow this is crazy! I'm wwoofing in Japan and my host makes me eat with guest (it's a guest house/farm) and on lunch he takes me to restaurants and pays for it... I guess you're right, it can go different ways
Oh my gosh this sounds so wonderful!! Do you have a recommendation of a host? I would love to WWOOF in Japan 😊
Still proud that I was the first wwoofer fan to meet you
I work trades last year for a lady named Tori Tanaka. Not only was she verbally abusive to the point I left, but she refused to let me leave with my clothes and my animals I had worked for. She was also very cruel to her animals, 1-2 died every single week I was there, including a donkey that was in labor that she literally DRAGGED through a field. She caused her last worker to break his collar bone, twice. Placed invasive cameras on property she rents out that had a lesbian couple to spy on them. Conned people into donating through GoFundMe to "save" cows that I watched her butcher. Started a smear campaign against me on fb, which her past workers called her out for. I still have pictures of the disgusting and unsafe conditions she let her animals live in. She used sheep shears on a shitzu. Horrific experience. Taught me a lot of what not to do.
And you reported her? Where’s the rest of the story?
@@hotsauce3087 she started a smear campaign against me on fb for literally no reason, I hadn't even said anything about her yet, so I put her on blast, and a ton of people let me know the stuff she had done to them. She takes advantage of people new to the island, doesn't pay them, steals their stuff, then starts hate campaigns on literally every single person who has worked for her. The squalor her animals are in is disgusting. Then she claims it's a "sanctuary" but butchers the animals. If it's a farm, say so, don't trick people into thinking you are helping when that isn't the case
@@hotsauce3087 there's so much to the story, but the most I can do for strangers is give the simplified version. Chick is crszy
I saw a German host drag her large well-fed cats up the stairs by their ears. The cats were yowling, and the host was saying "Ja! Ja!" The cats must have done something "wrong". Another one, a German of non-traditional orientation, brutally beat her horse with a whip until the horse went into canter. She said:"I treated her rudely, so she would do what I told her to". Another one, a Greek, starved his horses and did not have a pitch fork for mucking out the barn. He suggested that we picked up horse manure by hand around an unfamiliar to us stallion in a narrow stall. Naturally, we refused. Yet another, an Austrian mother, a paramedic, constantly complained that they would not allow her to let people die (she dreamed of becoming a coroner) and abused her 4-yr old daughter on daily basis. The bottom line is: be prepared to run into all kind of abusers and mentally-unstable hosts on your volunteering journey and plan for your exit in advance. Depending on your host for transportation when you are in a rural area is the worst thing you can do to yourself.
where was this at and what is her workaway listing?
Great video! I just subscribed. BTW, was the "awful farm" by any chance in Kealakekua? I had a VERY similar experience there!!!
I don't believe she mentioned exactly where except to say the big Island. I would love to go to one I read about there as well. What was the problem you experienced? I haven't done one yet.
Not a downer! You're awesome Holli! Im wwoofing over here in Hilo, have a week left here then moving over along the Hamakua coast! Been here 3 months and i love it. I also am a solo wwoofer at my farm, and yes it has it's ups and downs does get a lil lonely at times.
Can hear Kilauea roaring, it's pretty cray!
I used Helpx and Wwoof to travel during a gap year and it is not necessarily as great as it sounds at first. When you think about it, the hosts are normally businesses who don't want to pay local people for their labour. I found that they typically offer very few facilities (such as shared rooms, meals not provided, expecting you to work much longer than 5-6 hours). I think you will probably have a better time saving up and paying for a proper short holiday. There are some good hosts out there, but just my experience.
You got that right
I'm so glad you made this. The video you made wwoofing did seem like it was mostly pretty easy. I'd love to do what you're doing but maybe I should have a decent sized nest egg ready just in case.
If you have money trouble or you want to save more money you can lower your eating expenses a lot. For a while I lowered my food expenses to less than $1 a day by eating a lot of cheap staples like brown rice and lentils cooked with veg broth with various other additions to spice it up a bit. There are other cheap staples as well. Also learn where wild fruit trees are on Hawaii. And if you are really adventurous, learn dumpster diving (especially at fruit markets). You have to get over the initial awkwardness but you can eat a great variety of food for free.
Sayuas wtf did you just advise the internet to dumpster dive
@@Herra_rose_the_last_dragon I think he did hahaha
Wwoofing at Big Island Farms.
Been here for a week and is pretty chill.
How did your experience there end up being as a whole??
Totally avoid Kimberley Ontario, it is flat out exploitation as you just briefly work on a farm and then mostly work in a General Store. It is a complete red flag.
Thanks~ yeah there are RIP OFFS☮️
I worked close to 5 hrs a day Monday through Friday but I’m pretty well off so I ordered a bike and I was also working online so I had that income
Hi Holly,: I think your video is excellent. People need the truth when they are embarking on an adventure. Like woofing. There is a lot that can go wrong. Keep being real & truthful
Very good honest information. I think you are right, you are lucky to find something that is working for you at least for now.
Thanks for the info! I want to move to the big ishland next winter!
I'm glad to know that a lot of the potential drawbacks of WWOOFing won't apply to me; I'm going to be living #vanlife at the same time! I'll have transportation, my "own room" if I want it, and the ability to book it if the conditions aren't as they were promised! Coolio! All in all, great video Holli, thanks for posting :D
This comment is a year old so I doubt you’ll see this but have you done it yet? I’m was thinking of doing something similar with my van! Let me know your experience 💖
Hey @@Randompersonwhoknows ! I have not in fact gotten on the road yet, for a variety of personal life reasons that have prevented me :(
@@milo_thatch_incarnate awhhh that’s ok! I’m sorry hun. Unfortunately the day after I commented I also discovered I had to put my goals on hold :(
@@Randompersonwhoknows Aw nooo. :( I'm sorry Meg. I hope you get to get your travel goals back on track soon, as well. :) Or that, if it has to wait a while, that you find peace and joy right where you are.
@@milo_thatch_incarnate that’s so sweet thank you! It will take a while so yes I’ll definitely try and find peace in the now thank you so much! I wish the same to you!
I realize this video is pre-covid etc...
My question is: I've been at my company almost 21 years, I'm 51 yr old widow since 2010, own a home in midwest and want to do this.
Will I be the oldest one there? Lol
You'd be surprised. I met quite a few older woofers when I did it but you'll definitely be in the minority. They all seemed to love it though
Your parent's must of rared You on fruit's
and vegetables because You don't look
a day over 40 year's of age LOVELY 💞
Peace be with thee and kindest of regards
Nope. I'm doing it in Canada and the lady I work for had women as old as 60 in her house!
Thank you for giving us the Real real deal!!!
Woofing is honestly amazing, paying $50 or $60 to find a good farm is amazing
It's amazing that one has to pay $50-$60 to find a farm where they can be exploited. It would be more logical if the farm owners were to pay those fees.
Hey! great video! I'm going to Hawaii for my first Wwoofing experience in 10 days!! Thanks for the video!
Sarah Iranca How was it? I’m interested in doing it myself!
This is what I needed to hear!! I'm omw! Makin plans and letting friends and family know and I'm off :)
I'm just thinking about Wwoofing so I'm looking for some videos and I feel like this video is very needed and honest. I haven't tried Wwoofing, yet but I worked as an au pair for a long time and I feel like it's a similar situation. So many people want to be an au pair because it sounds so fun but it's really not. And finding a good family is very difficult. Maybe I will make a video on it, actually. Anyway, I feel like I could do it because I've already experienced something similar and survived (no, really, I had some really bad times doing it) and this is a short term thing. We'll see. It looks a little scary though because I would love to go to Japan and I live in the middle of Europe, so...
Is this volunteer work or do you get paid?
It’s a trade with no money exchanged
PS Not pessimistic at all..very honest and real and that's what I think people want..I want : ) Love the sheeeeep!
Me being an Introvert thinking, just turn around and youll feel happier then only seeing 4 walls around you all the time.
Lots of woofing hosts just see you as free labor. Do your research. Hear from other woofers who have been to the same farm. I've lived on nice farms and I also lived on one run by a narcissist and hated every day.
Make sure the host confirms your stay. If you don't confirm, you can't leave feedback. That is on purpose. They know you will leave negative feedback. Instead of making it a better situation for people to live, they remove your ability to tell others.
Also, don't underestimate your value and don't be afraid to negotiate hours. 14$/hr is minimum wage. 20 hrs per week and 4 weeks is $1120. That's a lot for sometimes shitty accomodations and little food.
I also stayed at one farm where the host was pervy towards women. He had a "type.". Every girl that stayed at the farm was young and it was mostly girls there. I think he just allowed me to stay there so I would leave feedback. He wanted to cover his tracks. If you look at the other reviews it also matches his type. Very young girls. He just wanted me to leace feedback so it would look like that's not what he was doing. I've woofed other places and it's usually a mix of men/women, often varying ages. He said several things that were very off-putting. He showed me some kind of incel video, told me women belong in kitchen, told me how he hated feminists, stared at girls bodies when they weren't looking, asked me what girls bodies looked like when we went to a nude beach, and more unsettling things.
100%
Thank you 🙏
Hi could you please tell me the listing for the positive workaway you were at during this video?
Hi! Do you know about Hana Farms in Maui? I'm thinking of going there.
i heard there’s always drama bc there’s tons of ppl constantly coming in and out. but they do provide basically all food from the sound of it. dude told me they basically farm and cook for the owners and add whatever they want for themselves to the shopping list that gets delivered every week. idk cause he was on his way out so he only told me a lil bit. he said he was asked to leave & never knew why. another person told me there’s always like 15-20 ppl there but idk if they were over exaggerating cause that sounds like a lot of wwoofers.
I do distinctly remember the name! It was so long ago that I can't honestly contribute to any feedback but Kasie sounds about right if I remember correctly
Workaway is better or wwoofing???
Btw thank you for the video.
They should do something like this for schools.
I think it's great that you wanted to make sure that people are realistic about it. Good video. :)
You are spoiling us with all these uploads 🎉
That sheep is RUDE! 🤣
Thank you for sharing . - Fellow Traveler
P.s. have some savings, transportation and an outside job jic you do need to escape. People I helped only got 100$/mo for food and that’s it! Have a plan B friends!
Honesty is hard but always the best
You make such adorable videos. Thank you.
Very helpful❤
You seem genuine. I pray you will always be okay. You seem likeable. Yes, you are a good person. Thanks for your honesty beautiful ghurl. 😍
awesome video. thank you again!
How 's life treating you so far now in Big Island ? Any update ? I like your positive vibe ❤❤❤👍
Question to ask for anyone with WOOFF experience. What happens if you just refuse to work more than the advertised hours per day?
You get booted off the farm right?
That would depend on the owner! If your agreement is in writing then I would reference that :)
@@windyventure Hope I'm not splitting too many hairs here (or asking a dumb question)...
Why would one enter into a agreement without the hours worked per day specified?
oh my god i love the sheep !!!!!!! so funny :'D
At my time we just have the kibbutz in Israel, Jo Internet, no information. But I am still travelling. If I am 56 years old, can I still find a Wwoof job?
omg that is so incredibly sweet..little sheep. Lucky you!!
Thanks for the advise! Also can we have a tour of your tiny house :)? In love with your palet wood bed that i saw on Instagram 😍 x
Do you suggest workaway over wwoof??
There is no difference between wwoof, workaway, and helpX in terms of the number of hosts, who use and abuse their volunteers. Like somebody here commented, it is nothing but a human slave labor repackaged in a glorified "travel on a shoe string" concept. When only 20% (an optimistic estimate) hosts treat you right, you decide if it's going to be a worth-while experience.
So do you just pay for the membership then be on your way ?
Not sure how I stumbled across this, but we have had to help “rescue” some young, naive girls who tried this and ended up isolated on the island with “hosts” who were sexual predators. Totally blew my mind that any woman would take a chance like this in today’s world. It’s a BIG island and you could easily become a victim and be stuck. Lots of remote areas have no cell phone reception. Hitch hiking is NOT safe, way too many druggies and predators out here.
I agree. This is risky. I’m a long time resident on Maui.
News of sexual assault abuse or anything? Or all here say?
Young people tend to think they are invincible. Optimism based on lack of knowledge and experience. And not just young people. A middle-aged Danish mother, who hosted us, thought it was perfectly safe for her 20-year old pretty blonde daughter to hitch-hike in the countries of South and Latin America. Denmark had relatively low crime levels, so they thought the rest of the world was the same. She looked at me like I was crazy when I suggested otherwise. The mother herself had not traveled much, had not even been to Paris.
I love the sheep. ♡♡♡
I'm a single mother with 4 children, which I know will create certain obstacles but any advice you can give me in that area would be greatly appreciated.
I would not put 4 children through this, unless they are 16+. Read the comments. You and your kids would be better off working as seasonal fruit/berry pickers.
What does your farm produce and what does the job entail at the new place?
john fraser we have avocados bananas coffee cacao lots of citrus and pineapples, the job is house cleaning and yard maintenance mostly
Thanks! Do you process the coffee or cacao? Cheers!
How are you getting around without a vehicle? When you had a job?
Albert Wesker I hitchhiked my first 4 months, then my landlord gave me access to a vehicle :)
Makes me want to go back home and try out what you are doing. Sounds fun and your doing what you want to do with your life during the time you want to do it. Continue life with what you love. Don’t change, good job girl. And this is an Indiana Soldier from Waianae Oahu. HAWAIIAN!!!! Lol. You Hawaiian now too girl. Lol
Aloha
Is wwoofing good if you're homeless?
Definitely! As long as you have a decent work ethic
Hello Windy, Loved your video and all the info you shared.. If you decide to leave your current accommodations please notify me please! I would love to do all that you described. I am a retiree looking to do this type of journey late in life. I have a solid resume and LOR to send if you decide to move on and your landlord agrees to take a look at me.... Thank you for your honesty and the info was interesting as well. Be safe and good luck in all your endeavors, Kindly, JB
I watched the whole video listening to you..........interesting.
I wish u all the best.
Hold on one sec. Proceed to kill the sheep!
Did you work trade the whole time you were in Hawaii?
Check out my “living Oahu” playlist for videos of me living a more traditional lifestyle in Honolulu
Hy...is that possible for me....i just complete my graduation...i want to be a wwoofer....what should i do....please reply.....🙏
Go on their website :)
I Would love to do this
can you post the host listing?
Great video! 👍🏻
Do u get paid under the table?
Thanks for this info
I loved your video, I live in a beautiful place, an Island in the middle of the Atlantic ocean, called Flores Island in the Azores. I would love to have a worker like you. to work 25 hours a week. How can I apply to be a host for a work a way ?
Casas daQuinta Go to workaway.info and register as a host! Take a look at other host descriptions and be sure to be clear with what you expect from a volunteer and what you can offer as a host! Good luck 🤗
Hey is your UA-cam still active????
Which farm were you at with the Cat, Dog and Tent?
She reminds me of Shailene Woodley in the movie "Adrift" beautiful
Thanks for the sharing...no not pessimistic...realistic...all types of peeps out there 👧...I am happy it’s working out over there...it’s about meeting of the minds when making the agreement...and your right....it’s a gamble...but no matter how careful, we all gamble...if it turns out to be a shit show...f@#$ it, move on...my guess.....you r not afraid of hard work...and your host is a fair 👨...😃🌈🥑🤙
whats the name of the host you stayed at through workaway
its 5 minutes in and you havent said anything concrete about what was so terrible about the farm?? only things ive heard is that you were apreciated and got money???
I felt the same way. What was so terrible? She just said the lady was difficult to deal with but what was difficult about her? Give some examples please. Too vague to be helpful with some of the statements.
Not a downer at all. I appreciate your honesty & knowing what to expect & look out for. Thank you.
lovely!
Good
Can I find any clients (Website development) while doing WWOOFing jobs, Fast answer appreciated.
Remarks: it's really an informative video :)
100 bucks a week on groceries? OH My Goodness!
Yeah, but she's only working 16 hours a week. That's not much
Yeah boats n ho's