[dropcap]A [/dropcap]program meant to give people a chance to participate in organic farming is starting to gain traction in not only the United States, but in Hays County as well.
The World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) is a program meant to provide people living in the cities an opportunity to participate in the organic farming movement.
The program was originally established in the United Kingdom as Working Weekends on Organic Farms
According to the WWOOF website, “Visitors or ‘WWOOFers,’” spend about a half day helping out on a host farm, learn about the organic movement and sustainable agriculture, and receive room and board during their visit. No money is exchanged between hosts and WWOOFers.
The Blue Butterfly Farm, located in Dripping Springs, is just one of the four local host farms in Hays County that hosts volunteers through WWOOF and offers “free, hands-on, educational” farm tours for visitors, with options to donate funds back to the farm.
Whitney Brandon, owner and farmer of Blue Butterfly Farm, said in an emailed response the farm is family owned and operated. Blue Butterfly uses organic farming methods for growing all produce and other farm goods even raising their animals using organic methods.
Brandon said visitors can learn about organic farming, as well as enjoy playtime with the pigs, collect eggs from the chickens and take a tour through the greenhouse and gardens. Visitors can also harvest their own organically grown, farm fresh produce.
In keeping with that mission statement Brandon said farm-tours and production from the farm are free of charge, with instead an option to donate funds back to the farm in appreciation for its bounty.
“We do not charge admission for farm tours, but rather rely on the generous donations of visitors to help keep the animals fed and the gardens growing,” Brandon said.
Visitors also have the option to purchase bags of produce, with proceeds going back to local organic farms.
“We are passionate about sharing the blessings of the farm with everyone so all visitors will receive a bag of farm goodies regardless of whether or not they make a donation,” Brandon said.
Brandon said typically WWOOF members pay for a one-year membership that gives them access to the host farm directory, where they can go and volunteer on a host farm in exchange for room and board.
“We have had WWOOFers volunteer/stay anywhere from one day (we have several day volunteers from the Austin area) to a few weeks, to several months,” Brandon said.
Brandon said currently the Blue Butterfly Farm is not certified organic with the USDA due to financial barriers to certification. They hope to be certified in the future.
“We firmly believe nature is the best farmer so we always employ organic and sustainable farming methods, and use certified organic (USDA, OMRI, etc) products to raise our plants and animals,” Brandon said.
Brandon added membership in the WWOOF program has allowed her family to “share the blessings of their farm with everyone.”
“Through WWOOF, we are connected with people from all over the world and all walks of life, and each one adds a new layer of beauty to the wings of Blue Butterfly Farm,” Brandon said.
Brandon said the future of organic farming in Hays County looks bright especially with the help of the WWOOF program.
“I encourage other local farmers to get involved with WWOOF because it has been an amazing experience for us (Blue Butterfly Farm). Not only does hosting WWOOF volunteers help with the farm work, but each experience enriches the lives of all the people involved,” Brandon said
