Every farm or Homestead is a different place, with their own way of living.
This Learning Guide subject is to give you Guidelines for how to live life on a typical Hosting.
A farm is a working environment, with safety issues that you need to respect.
When you arrive with your Host, you will be given a tour of the land, told how the farm/homestead works, and how you will be living together as part of the team.
Your Host will be instructing you when they show you a task, including any safety issues.
Your own safety and that of all those around you, people and animals, is in your own hands as you go about the Farm, it is important that you take responsibility for your actions.
- LISTEN VERY CAREFULLY TO YOUR HOST.
- IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND, ask your Host to repeat, ask questions until you are sure. Your Host will be happy to explain, they know that you may not be used to English, with lots of new words you may not have heard before.
- If your Host has strong accent that you may not understand, ask them to slow down, they will be happy to do this.
- If you may not remember what your told, write things down or take pictures to help you.
GATES are very important. If you need to open a gate to go through, be sure to close it behind you and check it is secure. Even if you are coming back again quickly, it takes an animal just seconds to run through an open gate.
ANIMALS may not be friendly like your own dog or cat. Listen carefully to how you must behave around them, and do not take a chance. If your Host tells you to stay away from an animal, or not to pick it up, then respect this, for your safety and that of the animal.
FARM MACHINERY, TOOLS AND VEHICLES.
Your Host will instruct you how to use anything that you are going to be working with.
WWOOFers are only allowed to use limited farm machinery, don't use anything that the Host has not given permission for.
Tell your Host how you are going to use it, once you have been instructed, so that they know you understand.
Be sure that you have gloves, boots, safety glasses, hard hat, for things that need them. If your Host does not offer these, you can ask for them. Be aware for own safety.
It is very much appreciated if you bring ideas to life on the farm/homestead,it is VERY important that you talk to your Host about an idea, do not just do something in a different way. There may be a very good reason WHY the Host does not want you to do it like this.