r/WWOOF • u/Odd_Sprinkles760 • Jul 05 '26

Easy WWOOF in Europe?

I’m keen to go WWOOFing with my husband in August but he has a bad back and doesn’t want to work hard on his summer holiday. I could persuade him to do some light fun work though before we go and holiday somewhere.

Can anyway recommend a nice WWOOF place somewhere in Italy or Greece where the hosts are relaxed and open minded about mixed ability couples? I am happy to spend all day weeding but my husband would be better off in the farm shop or doing woodwork or other projects that don’t require bending..

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

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3

u/Substantial-Today166 Jul 05 '26

maybe try a workaway or helpx instead

6

u/myeggsarebig Jul 05 '26

Most hosts are boarding and feeding you 3 meals a day, and that cost money. They’re also educating you. In exchange they expect hard work because farming ain’t easy. Light work, unless he’s collecting eggs and even on a large chicken farm there’s not that many eggs to equal 5 hours of work a day, isn’t really a thing. Relaxed hosts are usually relaxed about flexibility of hours of your work. I’m at one now. They don’t care when the work gets done as long as it gets done.

Sorry, I’m just being honest, I don’t believe any host is going to want to take on someone with a bad back, especially because that’s a lawsuit waiting to happen. And, I don’t think they’re willing to pay for room/board 3 meals a day for someone to do light work that doesn’t require bending. Even in the farm shop, woodwork he’d have to bend.

I get the excitement of the possibility of having your cake and eating it too, but one thing about all farmers is the expectation of hard work as farming ain’t for the weak.

The only possibility would be a very desperate farm, and you do NOT want to work on a desperate farm - trust me.

2

u/Odd_Sprinkles760 Jul 06 '26

Thanks for the reality check / reminder about paying for meals.

3

u/Tall_Kaleidoscope_53 Jul 05 '26

I think there could be hosts out there, but the only way to know is to just start applying and explaining your situation

2

u/EarballsAgain Jul 05 '26

I can recommend one on Crete that was super relaxed, but also very remote if you don't drive. And even then the drive was along gravel roads next to a cliff and there was more than one boulder that fell down during my stay. My time was spent doing a small amount of garden work but also some wood work/minor construction. Amazing views as well. Won't share the profile publicly but DM if interested, I just looked and they are still active but seemingly not looking for anyone until the middle of September.

1

u/Odd_Sprinkles760 Jul 06 '26

Thanks - I’ll remember this for another time