WWOOF FAQ
From EcoReality
How are you organized?
The land is owned as a co-op and we are creating an ecovillage on Salt Spring Island.
Currently there are three resident members of the co-op. Jan and Carol live in the yellow house, and Rudy Siegers lives in his camper. The white house is currently occupied by non-member renters. Either house may be shared by renters or other members from time to time.
What kind of work are you expecting from a WWOOFer?
In 2009, the workers have been building garden beds, weeding, planting, harvesting firewood, tending chickens and goats, working in the greenhouse, organizing tools and hardware, planting garlic, mulching, building fences, and more.
We have a list of WWOOF tasks that we keep and update.
Although much of the work is agricultural, there are other interesting things to get involved with. You may have the opportunity to be involved with biodiesel production, metal and wood fabrication, electrical work, general maintenance, construction, and other things. But that would be the exception for someone with appropriate skills. Most of the unskilled labour is digging, weeding, planting, and such things, under the supervision of Jan and Carol, who are Certified Permaculture Instructors.
Although we strive to have a community atmosphere, child rearing and the economic necessity of outside employment mean that EcoReality residents are not always available, and you may be working by yourself for significant periods of time. We strive to have at least one day a week of community work party, where many people work together.
How many hours a day do you work?
Work days are six hours per day, six days per week, with the seventh day off. The co-op provides accomodations that may be a room in the house or tent outdoors and three meals. Should a worker desire more than one day off per week, we request a voluntary contribution of $15 per night for accommodations and $15 per day for food, although we expect that you come here to work, not merely to enjoy cheap accommodations.
What should I bring with me?
For much of the year, you'll need your own tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad, as well as personal toiletries.
You'll also need sturdy work clothing, including heavy gloves, rain gear, and waterproof boots. We work rain or shine! We can help you purchase such items, but we don't lend ours out on a long-term basis.
- If you do not have your own basic support -- sleeping bag, work clothes, etc. we may ask you to leave. If you to borrow such things, be sure to let us know before your arrival.
We will supply towels, tools, and most other things necessary to the task at hand. (Although feel free to bring a favorite garden tool if you have one!) Feel free to bring (and share, if you're inclined) your favorite book, DVD, music CDs or sheet music, as well. Please put your name in items that you make available to others.
If you are staying indoors during the winter, please bring your own sleeping bag, so we don't have to deal with sheets and such.
We have an open WIFI network, which you can use if you bring a laptop with WIFI capability. We may be able to offer you Internet access on one of our computers, but please don't monopolize it.
Are you looking just for workers or someone to be social with as well?
We don't really want anyone who isn't social! We are striving to create a sense of community. We generally have five or more at the table for meals, and neighbors often drop in as well. Everyone shares accommodation space, washrooms, and common areas. There will often be jam sessions, recorded music, videos, or interesting conversation in the evenings. We try to organize outdoor activities on days off.
About once each month, we are invaded by as many as 8-10 additional people for our monthly co-op meetings, work parties, seminars, and other activities. We do the co-op business in the members meeting, often followed with a fun and interesting interactive activity. We will also be hosting workshops, brewing biodiesel, teaching adult education classes and having other guests on the farm.
In addition, island life lends itself to a cohesive greater community. The greater Salt Spring community of nearly 10,000 has lots of evening events and other things you can get involved with. We have close ties with islands groups devoted to organic farming, ecology, sustainable energy, adult education, and more -- you can attend these meetings and activities if you like.
Can I come to community meetings?
Our meetings are open for observation and perhaps some participation, but we recognize that people come here with differing goals. We encourage you to attend at least one meeting early in your stay, and extend a welcome to you to attend other meetings as you desire. Occasionally, we may request that you attend a specific meeting, for example, a farm meeting that is about something you have been working on.
What kind of food is prepared?
We have a vegetarian kitchen. We try to eat local and organic when it is economically feasible. We take turns preparing meals and cleaning up and ask for everyone to pitch in. We always welcome good enthusiastic cooks to share the cooking load.
But we don't support vegans well. Permaculture stresses the natural integration of animals into the site for the many services they provide. This means that some of our meals will have our own eggs or milk. Home-made soy milk may be available, but eggs will be a part of many meals. If you wish to maintain a strict vegan diet, perhaps you should seek other farms that can better accommodate your special dietary needs.
We may be able to accommodate reasonable dietary restrictions, but can't really work with people who are picky eaters. Due to kitchen clutter and limited storage space, you should not expect to be able to regularly fix your own meals.
Do you have musical events?
The island has lots of music events year-round, and we are a musical community. There is a piano, a couple guitars and lots of other miscellaneous instruments that several people like to get together and play. Bring your favorite instrument!
How far is your farm from the community?
We are 3km from the tiny village of Fulford Harbour (ferry, restaurant, and store), and about 10km from the larger town of Ganges, where you can find all essential services, such as grocery, liquor, pharmacy, library, restaurants, hospital, police, provincial/federal office, and way too many tourist shops. There is local bus service into Ganges and the ferries. You can catch the bus on the street right in front of EcoReality.
We also have a page that explains how to get to EcoReality with map links and detailed directions.
Do you go to a weekly farmers market?
There are two seasonal weekly markets in Ganges. The Saturday market is about half arts & crafts and half food and produce, and is a big tourist draw. The Tuesday market is food-only, and is where the locals tend to shop. We plan to do both markets, depending on availability of product.
How do I get around?
Fulford Harbour is only a 30 minute walk, and hitch-hiking is popular and safe here. There is local bus service into Ganges and the ferries, which you can catch right in front of EcoReality. Residents will often announce they're making a "town run" for anyone who needs to go, and we may arrange group trips to local attractions on days off. For people who commit to at least two weeks, we will pick you up and drop you off at the ferry -- or your previous or next WWOOFing gig on the island.
We have a number of bikes here. Ask if you'd like to borrow one, and we'll see what we can do. If you think you'll want to do this, we suggest bringing your own helmet.
For people who will be here less than two weeks and need ferry transportation, we ask for a voluntary contribution of $10 to pick up or drop off from Vesuvius or Long Harbour, or $4 from Fulford Harbour, or take the bus for just $2.
How long should I plan to stay?
Typically WWOOFers stay for two weeks and then move on to a new host. But if you want to stay for a longer period, we may be able to work with you, depending on your experience and expectations.
Scheduled visits of an afternoon up to two weeks may be welcome as well, depending on how many long-term people are booked at the time.
I have a local job opportunity; can I be a "part time" WWOOFer?
Our experience with WWOOFers who also had outside jobs has not been great. They often start out enthusiastic about working here, and gradually drift into viewing us more as a cheap boarding house. Changing work schedules made it impossible for us to plan meals and farm work. Individuals' use of kitchen facilities was disruptive of our normal flow.
To consider such an arrangement:
- We need a firm commitment to a fixed schedule up-front, of at least three full days per week, preferably Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, so we can plan farm work.
- For days spent working "off site," a higher voluntary contribution (than the suggested $30 for room and board) would be appreciated.
- No subsidized days off.
- No individual meal preparation -- you either eat with us, or eat off-site. If you choose to forego a community meal on short notice, you should still contribute for that meal, as we cannot change our meal planning on such short notice.
Can I bring my pet with me?
We have domestic animals, wild animals, small children, and members with their own pets — all of these situations seem problematic when you throw a strange, new, transient animal into the mix.
For those reasons, we strongly discourage bringing your pet with you. To consider such a situation:
- It must be an "inside-only," well-behaved pet,
- You must have a suitable facility for it (such as a camping trailer or adequately-sized vehicle),
- You must clean up after it,
- You must compensate for any damage your pet does,
- You must be prepared to leave on short notice if your pet causes problems.
I am not in Canada. Can you help me get a visa?
Our experience with this has been dismal. We spent a lot of time researching requirements, wrote multiple letters, sent financial statements, and spent a lot of money on courier services and international phone calls, to no avail. Canadian consulates are apparently instructed to treat all temporary visa requests as though they were immigration requests, especially requests from third-world countries.
If you cannot convince consulate officials to grant you a visa, it is unlikely anything we can do will change their mind.
On the other hand, Canada allows free entry from many countries. If your country is not on the list of countries from which a visa is required, you may be able to enter Canada without a visa. But please check with the Canadian visa office for your country before making plans.
WWOOFers, interns, and apprentices from other countries must have the legal right to enter Canada before being considered for a stay at EcoReality.
What is the next step?
- First, read and understand our welcome letter. This is our basic information and conduct guide for all visitors. You will be asked to sign a copy upon your arrival.
- If that hasn't scared you off, the next step is to fill out our WWOOF application form, and someone will get right back to you!
I have a question that isn't on this list!
Send us your question, and we'll add it to this list!
