W W O O F UK NEWS worldwide opportunities on organic farms issue 258 spring 2018

inside: Taster Days UK Immigration Rules vintage WWOOFers WWOOF welcomes 16 year-olds interest free loans for hosts?

wwoof uk news issue 258 page 2 editorial

WWOOFing medical emergency and advises us on how welcome to the winter 2017 to plan for the worst, page 11. edition of WWOOF UK News WWOOFer Carolyn Gemson shares some of the side effects of WWOOFing she’s found, page 9 and vintage Spring should be officially with us by the time you read WWOOFer Martin talks to Chief Exec Scarlett, page 4. this, and I’m hoping it’s going to be a gentle and replen- Mr Fluttergrub tells how to tend to and propagate Jeru- ishing one after what feels like a long, cold winter. We salem Artichokes on page 6 and allows me to introduce have some new initiatives to start the growing year the word ‘fartichocke’ into the newsletter which gives with – our first Taster Day was sold out well in advance and we are looking for more hosts willing to encourage delight. Childish, I know. non-members into the WWOOFing fold, page 3. WWOOF UK trustee Katie Hastings shares details of the UK and Ireland Seed Sovereignty Programme on page The minimum age for WWOOFer volunteers has been 10 and on page 8 Phil Moore, ex-WWOOFer and Eco- reduced to 16; we explain the thoughts and intentions logical Land Alliance friend, tries to persuade us to get behind that on page 11 while on page 7 we offer a on our bikes and go dragon dreaming in Wales. guide to the UK Immigration Rules. Please continue to send me your news, comments and Some hosts may be particularly interested in the possi- bility of interest free loans, page 9 and RHC David Bea- experiences, we love to share them. ton draws on his recent experience helping out with a Elaine Koster, Editor stay in touch what is WWOOF UK?

Please send contributions for our print editions to  WWOOF UK holds a list of organic farms, gardens [email protected] or by post (address page 12) by and , all offering and accommo- the following dates: dation in exchange for practical help on their land. 30th April for Summer 2018 issue  These hosts range from a low-impact woodland 31st July 2017 for Autumn 2018 issue settlement to a 600 hectare mixed holding with on- 31st October for Winter 2018 issue site farm shop, café and education centre. 31st January for Spring 2019 issue  WWOOF hosts should follow the IFOAM organic The deadlines for material to be included in the next principles but need not be registered with a certifi- four electronic updates are: cating organisation. 13th April 2018  Hosts do not expect WWOOFers to know a lot 13th July 2018 about farming and growing when they arrive, but 5th October 2018 they do expect them to be willing to learn and able 11th January 2019 to fit in with their lifestyle.

We particularly welcome your photographs and  The list of hosts is available, either online or as a book, by letters as well as your WWOOFing tales. joining WWOOF UK for a membership fee.  Once you have the list you can contact hosts di- Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/wwoofuk rectly to arrange your stay. on Twitter: @wwoofuk  Your host will explain what kind of work you will be and Instagram: @wwoofuk expected to do, what accommodation is on offer Contact: [email protected] and will discuss the length of your stay. And don’t forget members can always post adverts,  WWOOFers do not pay to stay with hosts and hosts question and comments on our members’ forum do not pay WWOOFers for their help. www.wwoof.org.uk/forums/forum  The ethos and mission page of our website gives full

details of what is expected of hosts and WWOOFers.  WWOOF UK is a charity registered in England and cover: Taryn Field Wales 1126220 and in Scotland SC045524.

The views expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily represent those held by WWOOF UK page 3 wwoof uk news issue 258 news from the office Recently it was highlighted we are only communicating I hope you all have a productive growing season and at- with our current members; it seems potential, interested tract many interesting and vibrant WWOOFers. and ex-members would like to hear from us as well. We heard some disturbing news in late January; our Co- Keeping WWOOF in people's minds is especially relevant ordinator/Chief Exec Scarlett Penn tweeted: at a time when volunteer numbers are dropping. Can you think of anything else we are overlooking with our communications? Host contact Taryn Field says: With the Spring approaching I wanted to remind you, if you haven't already, to fill out your 'host availability' and keep it current so WWOOFers know if you have vacan- cies. For those hosts that haven't uploaded photos yet, please do, WWOOFers are more likely to contact you if they can see where they are going. Helpful photos in- clude the gardens, animals, the house, WWOOFers ac- commodation, people, other WWOOFers. Taster Days off to a flying start We’re really chuffed with the re- sponse we’ve had to the launch of our WWOOFing Taster Days, which took place in York on Saturday 24th February. It was sold out! Although we thought local people would be the first to sign up – in re- ality folk travelled from all over the country for this micro-WWOOFing experience. As well as completing some farm tasks, eating good food and having the opportunity to ask lots of ques- tions, the day included a short pres- entation that introduced these non- members to the wonderful world of WWOOF. Our aim was to equip them with the knowledge and confi- dence they need to contact hosts and become top quality volunteers. The £10 taster day fee was deducted from the cost of membership for anyone who signed up on the day. Given this event’s popularity we’d If you are a host who would find afternoon, please message us using like to do more and could do with promoting WWOOF a pleasure and [email protected]. venues in Scotland, Wales and fur- have a task coming up that needs a All future Taster Days will be pro- ther south in England. team of people for a morning or moted on our home page.

wwoof uk news issue 258 page 4 vintage WWOOFers ‘Age does not depend upon years, but upon temperament and health.’ Tyrone Edwards Scarlett Penn, WWOOF UK Coordi- nator, and also one of our 670+ hosts, chats with one of her post- retirement WWOOFers So then...would you like to intro- duce yourself? Sure! I am Martin, I am 68 years old, living in Finland for most of my life but born in Germany. I retired from my job as a carpenter and carpentry teacher this summer. How did you get into WWOOFing? All my life I’ve been taking part in volunteering. I choose things which interest me, ecological things and enterprises that are not commercial. In 2004 I discovered WWOOF. Probably I found it online while look- ing for new volunteering opportuni- ties, but I cannot remember exactly. the Eiffel Tower! I’ve done this, I’ve the Kingdom of Fife! I have made a The first time I went WWOOFing visited that! With WWOOF I get chicken house with the best view in was in Fife, Scotland. It was the re- given tasks, so I don’t have to think the Mediterranean, I have done markable Monimail Tower Project. about what to do and I like that. I roofing, made doors, blinds for win- What interested me was to see how am in interesting surroundings, I eat dows, created specialist shelves and a community works and Monimail is plenty of nice food, I cooperate with miniature chairs for grandchildren. part of the Diggers and Dreamers the ‘boss’, the person in charge, I But also I have done bakery, ceram- network of intentional communities. get to know them very well and ics, made ale, fixed bicycles and I’m more of a Digger and Thinker! that’s usually nice. Then I can go other farm items and of course, Anyway, I’ve now been four times. home to my family and say ‘I got a done . It’s very interesting and a nice way new experience, this holiday I built a Besides Scotland and England, to learn about people and the area I glass house’ and they can be im- where have you done all this volun- am in. pressed. teering Martin? What do you like about volunteer- On this exchange we are concen- Many places: Northern Sweden, ing your time? trating on a small building project, Northern Spain, several times in and you are very handy to have When I make holidays I’m not the France, Northern Italy, twice in Ger- around for that. We especially guy to be on the beach for three many and then four months in Ja- benefited from your ability to fix weeks burning and browning. Or to pan. I bought a bicycle and toured broken tools and equipment. What run from one castle to the next around to four or five hosts there. other kinds of activities have you church, sightseeing. Although some- And last week you cycled from your done as a WWOOFer? times they’re interesting, it is not for friend in Bath to here in Shropshire. me. I like WWOOFing because I’m Oh, all sorts. I am a cabinet maker so How far was that? Did you enjoy it? doing something constructive. I I often get asked to do some wood creation. At Monimail I built them a It was 100 miles, from Bath to Lud- know this is now a bit of a bad word low. A wonderful local lady offered for WWOOF, but I like it because it’s splendid rack for their plates, which me a lift up the steep hill as I neared work. On other holidays I have to is much admired by neighbours. Every time I go there is the joke they the farm, but I declined. You see, I think ‘what shall I do’ and then re- want to approach slowly the place port what I have done – I’ve seen have the most famous dish shelf in

page 5 wwoof uk news issue 258 where I go. You learn already about I sent out five emails to hosts in the end the farmer calls one of these the place and what it is. The journey West Midlands and received no re- cows over and – bang – that is the is very important to me. One time I plies. I understand that hosts have a end of you. Even though I am vege- woke up in a wonderful, beautiful lot to do, I don’t blame anyone, but it tarian I can accept that. But not place in Southern France but I had made things very awkward for me as I 1000 cows fed by computers. Opti- been collected from an airport and needed to book a flight and it was all mised systems that produce udders driven at high speed to my lodgings. very uncertain. I sent out a further so big they need bras. Not natural. I felt disorientated. email and got a response from you Do you have anything else you’d That’s not bad for a 68 year old! here in Shropshire, thankfully. It like to share? would have been so helpful if there You’re obviously very fit and Host are a bit special people. They healthy. Have you ever had any dis- had been a response from the previ- ous people, any response, even if very have an attitude of ecology. crimination or negative comments is a factor, but it’s not so important, short or even a lie! But just to know. about your age? like it is in normal society. To me it is I have never felt any bad reaction to What has been your favourite very important a host does not de- my age as a volunteer. I can under- learning or experience while pend upon WWOOFers, and I would stand a surprised reaction that a guy WWOOFing? not choose a big commercial farm. I of my age is coming, but it’s differ- Noticing how much of a cultural like to volunteer and help, but if you ent to paid work. When you retire thing eating is in places like Italy. want to make money from me then from paid work there’s a line; OK And learning how food is grown and you have to pay me! Hahaha. The you reach this age, you must stop how much work has gone into it, at host gives a lot of themselves; the working, right now, finish! WWOOF many levels. A young couple in Spain volunteer sees the whole family in is not like that. Of course a host had bought an abandoned village the family home and setting, the might want to take age into account near the border of Galicia. It was on pets, their hopes and dreams, it’s and wonder, is this guy fit enough a hill and they had the rights to the very nice that people open their for this or that, they might make water in the valley so they could home. I want the possibility to sure we know our own boundaries build a mill. Well from nearly on top choose a host that fits with my ide- and borders, and that we don’t of the hill there was a wonderful ology when I’m applying. Clear and overestimate our own physical abil- irrigation system, all the land was honest host descriptions are very ity. Sometimes we forget we are terraced, you could see how much important, and it’s my responsibility older you know! I can understand a work these people have been mak- to read them carefully. I went to a host would want to guard against place advertised as a community someone older having a heart in France but there was only one problem for example, or falling communard left! The guy had a down. whole zoo in a way. Doves, Are there advantages to being a chickens, donkeys, cows, sheep, more mature WWOOFer? goats. It was so interesting to see these animals, these anar- Yes. You have a kind of ‘power’ chistic goats. They did what they through your age, which younger wanted, they were in the trees! people do not have. A confidence. WWOOFer Martin with Scarlett’s dad Rob Wonderful crazy eyes. I have also found my age can have a calming experience on a host, Anarchistic goats with crazy and sometimes between hosts and eyes – what an enjoyable image ing for hundreds of years, all these you leave us with! Thank you for WWOOFers, should it be needed. I little details, to produce food. Yet see it as an advantage. I don’t look sharing all this with us Martin. To- we abandon this huge amount of morrow we say goodbye and you to the clock – I do tasks and that’s it work of our ancestors because we and hosts appreciate that because will cycle to Manchester via Iron- can no longer go there with our trac- bridge; a diversion, but you are cu- they are the same. It’s good for the tor. I was in Northern Sweden and body to be used, to keep going. rious to see where the Industrial there was nothing more growing Older people who keep going are Revolution started. It has been a there than cows in pastures. I great pleasure to experience some- fitter than much younger people started to understand that a farmer who do not. one who lives the phrase, ’Age does gives freedom to the cows, they not depend upon years, but upon Was it easy to find a host in the UK? don’t have to fear the wolves. In the temperament and health’.

wwoof uk news issue 258 page 6 on the plot with Mr Fluttergrub Jerusalem Artichokes Why the Jerusalem artichoke is not an easy crop there more widely grown is a mystery to are a few things to me as they are an easy crop and remember if you usually very productive. It is true want the best possi- that they have a reputation for be- ble yield. First of all, ing indigestible and causing flatu- don’t keep tubers lence: the epithet ‘fartichokes’ is not for planting hanging altogether undeserved. It’s also the around. Unlike seed case that the plants have a triffid- potatoes, Jerusalem like habit. Full grown they will tower artichokes will go well over two metres in height. But soft and ‘flabby’ this is a vegetable that will thrive quite quickly out of almost anywhere, even in part the soil. Secondly, if shade or poor soil. What’s more it is the tubers for plant- extremely hardy; tubers can be ing have visible safely left in the ground in winter shoot(s), this is a growing tip, not a out for damage. Once well out of and dug up when required. root, so place them with it pointing the ground little attention is needed Jerusalem artichokes are grown by upwards. Finally, and most impor- other than occasional weeding. planting individual tubers in much tantly, do not allow Jerusalem arti- However, in late summer it’s proba- the same way as potatoes. Tubers chokes to regrow from old tubers bly best to support the abundant can be bought, at considerable ex- left in the ground. Although com- top growth to reduce the risk of top- pense, but most gardeners simply mon practice, this leads to a messy pling in strong wind. I bang in heavy replant their own. This is how I grow tangle of crowded and unproductive posts at the ends of the row and them although I do find that after a plants. weave a web of baler twine be- When starting Jerusalem tween the plants at waist height. artichokes afresh in a Towards the end of autumn the tall new area it’s best to leafy growth will brown and die. It’s choose a site on the pe- then best cut to the ground. Slug riphery of the plot. This damage does tend to increase later helps reduce overshad- in the winter and, if you’re unlucky, owing of other crops by nibbling rodents may take a toll. the mature plants, espe- Generally, though, Jerusalem arti- cially if orientated in a chokes continue to yield into the row running north-south. spring. Indeed, I often dig the final Tubers are easily planted batch when the first shoots of the using a trowel. Simply new crop are visible. Jerusalem artichoke flowers place in a hole so the top Mr Fluttergrub is the pen name of some- is about ten centimetres one who is close to the heart of WWOOF number of years the harvested tu- beneath the surface and cover. UK. Based in the north of England he’s a bers tend to become more Spacing should be at least 40 centi- very experienced grower and has agreed ‘knobbly’. As a result, about every metres apart. Any closer will give a to write a regular column for us. Let us seven to eight years I refresh my reduced crop with smaller tubers know if his suggestions work for you or if you have other ideas for your region, stock and buy new ones to plant. I that are fiddly to prepare in the please get in touch using: always go for Fuseau, one of the few kitchen. [email protected]. named varieties available which pro- Green shoots from the planted tu- duces far smoother and more uni- bers should take three to four weeks Photos: form tubers than unnamed types. tubers: Dr Hagen Graebner, from WikiCommons to emerge. The baby plants seem flowers: Paul Fenwick, from WikiCommons pub- Although Jerusalem artichokes are palatable to slugs, so keep an eye lished under the Free GNU Documentation License

page 7 wwoof uk news issue 258 UK immigration rules a guide for hosts and WWOOFers Of the many hundreds of our mem- d) you must not volunteer for more WWOOF UK is a charity based on bers who come WWOOFing in the than 30 days during your visit. principles of education. Serving be- UK from overseas, we believe that In November 2017 a WWOOFer, hind a bar or helping with a bit of only a very small percentage ever who is a US citizen, arrived in the admin just about passes as some- experience serious problems at the UK having planned to stay in the thing a WWOOFer might do a little UK border. However, we did hear country for about five weeks to visit of to learn about a host's land-based about five examples in 2017, and two different friends. She had ar- activities. In immigration terms, a having even one WWOOFer go ranged four weeks of WWOOFing in WWOOFer coming to the UK ‘to do through the traumatic experience of between visits to her friends. This WWOOFing working behind a bar’ being deported is one too many. sounded to us like incidental volun- will almost certainly not be allowed There are three key points about teering because the main reason for into the country, whereas an expla- immigration and WWOOFing which her visit was to see her nation of how the WWOOFer's time all WWOOFers and hosts should un- friends, but border offi- derstand and be ready to discuss cials did not agree and with border officials if necessary. deported her. WWOOF 1. Immigration problems happen is currently discussing more often to WWOOFers who are this case with Home non-EU citizens Office ministers to make sure we get ab- All WWOOFers, regardless of nation- solute clarity on how to ality, must take responsibility for judge when volunteer- having the necessary docu- ing is 'incidental' to a ments and permissions to enter the WWOOFer's visit. We'll UK. However, every immigration keep you posted – the issue and deportation we have immigration page of heard about since 2014 has hap- our website is updated pened to non-EU citizens. regularly with informa- In April 2017, a WWOOFer arrived in tion and advice. the UK having flown from Barce- will be spent ‘volunteering with an 3. WWOOFing is not work lona. She is an Andorran citizen, and educational charity, learning about there is no airport in Andorra so Bar- Visitors to the UK cannot work dur- land-based living’ will be much more celona is the closest airport to her ing their visit. If, when questioned at acceptable! home, but she was deported be- the UK border, any non-EU Like them or not, the Immigration cause Andorra is not an EU country! WWOOFer starts talking about the Rules are something WWOOFers 'work' they'll be doing with a host, and hosts have to live with for now 2. Essential Immigration Rules for this will ring alarm bells for border non-EU volunteers to know: and whilst WWOOF UK staff do oc- officials. Be very, very clear – casionally have to speak to the a) you must be coming to the UK as WWOOFing is volunteering, or an Home Office when we believe the a visitor – e.g. as a tourist, or to visit exchange, a visit or an educational officials haven't got it right, most of friends or family experience, but it is never 'work'. the time they are following the b) you can volunteer with a regis- In October 2017, a US citizen ar- Rules. tered charity whilst visiting the UK rived at the UK border and was WWOOFers can arrange their visit to (WWOOF UK is a charity registered questioned by officials about what the UK without falling foul of the in Scotland, England and Wales) she would be doing whilst in the Rules; and hosts can help to make c) the volunteering must NOT be the country. She explained that she getting across the UK border to do a main reason you are coming to the would be doing bar work and ad- spot of WWOOFing easy (and educa- ministrative work for two WWOOF UK (this is described in the Rules as tional)!! 'incidental volunteering') hosts. She was deported.

wwoof uk news issue 258 page 8 dragon dreaming

Phil Moore is one half of Permacul- around us, our ture People @permapeople and a friends, our keen cycle tourer working with, in community; to his words, the awesome Brake the place, to the Cycle. They are planning a week rhythms of the long ride through Wales focused on world, to look- and the exploration ing up and of new (& old!) ideas around ecol- hearing the ogy, economy and conviviality dur- geese honking ing May this year and calling it high in the Dragon Dreaming. He explains… clean blue sky. WWOOFing and wheeling go hand- If poetry is in-hand. Brake the Cycle is a social composed of a enterprise that runs cycle tours to patchwork of ecological projects across the UK felt details — and Europe and shares the WWOOF the sun kissing ethos of openness and inclusion. your cheeks as the wind blows Our rides visit a number of WWOOF through your hair whilst puffing up a need some perspective and space to hosts where cyclists get to inhabit hill knowing that your eyes, now think. This is a beautiful thing, and spaces they ordinarily wouldn’t see, fixed on the seemingly infinite tar- having the support of your fellow including delicious food grown by mac will lift to reveal a grand vista riders can be hugely beneficial. the host and, if there’s time, a brief when you get to the top — then cy- tour. This marks out Brake the Cycle What’s also important to Brake the cling is a portal into poetry. Peddling tours from the normal ‘holiday’ or Cycle tours is a break from the helps reconnect you to the world ‘norm’ and seeing how things can be cycle tour. It’s something else and around you. It gets you out and WWOOF is a big part of it. The privi- done differently, how another world about. lege of being welcomed into peo- is possible. This is where WWOOF ple’s spaces as active participants, In large part ‘Slow’ cycling is about hosts, who, having welcomed us not simply as customers is hugely visiting places and really breathing into their spaces, demonstrate that appealing. The interaction and op- them in. That’s why Brake the Cycle there are other ways to produce and portunity to ask those who create is necessarily drawn to projects that consume food and how we can com- special places, how they’ve done it, are keen to share, and of the pro- municate with one another. These is important to us and for those tak- jects visited, many of which are are laboratories of insurrectionary ing part. Indeed, many of our past WWOOF hosts, it is the examples of imagination at the edge of change riders have been so inspired by natural builds, abundant food but also dynamically abutting on meetings with remarkable WWOOF spaces and places using organising mainstream society. projects that they’ve returned as tools and spaces for more commu- Brake the Cycle rides are open to all. willing volunteers. nal and cooperative models of living No previous experience of cycling is that are hugely appealing. Over the Pyrenees, from one side of required — just enthusiasm and an the Iberian Peninsula to the other, As one of our past riders said of the open mind. An adventure for both around the Greek island of Evia and temporary travelling community body and mind, Brake the Cycle in- through the lost lanes and verdant that is a Brake the Cycle ride, ‘being vites contemplation of the inner ter- valleys of Wales, our cycle tours are on a bike with others reminds you rain as riders push pedals up and designed to see things differently. you’re not alone in this world as well over mountains and beautiful scen- as offering you time to mull over the ery. If you’re seeking change, adven- This is largely inspired by the idea of beauties when it’s just you and your ture and personal transformation, ‘Slow’ cycling. In short, the destina- bike’. We’ve found that many join- create the space for it on a Brake tion isn’t the goal. It’s all about the ing our rides are often at a critical the Cycle adventure. To find out ride, about the ‘now’. And about juncture in their life where they more visit www.brakethecycle.xyz rekindling connections — to those

page 9 wwoof uk news issue 258 the side effects of WWOOFing Thanks very much to WWOOFer Carolyn Gemson for sending us this. ‘Are you here for the starlings? ‘asks the binoculared warden. ‘You should have seen the crowds at the weekend – some even tried to park in the field. Well, it would be June at the earliest before they’d get off a Levels field!’ I was enjoying an afternoon off from my Glastonbury WWOOFing explor- ing the RSPB reserves on the Somer- set Levels. Unlike the masses of the previous weekend today it was quiet; so quiet that half an hour ear- keen eyed, seeking the camouflaged constantly changing drift and flow. lier a secretive bittern had passed vole that scurried across the earth’s They twisted, they wheeled, morph- within three metres of me, so ab- peaty blackness. ing seamlessly from one magical sorbed was it in its hunt for the next Flat, quiet, a water-laden scene form to another. Passing overhead meal, whilst a pair of electric blue edged by a vacant spinney, awaiting with a cacophony of pulsing wings. kingfishers enchanted me with their its nocturnal residents; the sun now And then just as suddenly as it trips from branch to shimmering a burnished ball descending through started, it was over. The sky drained stream. a filter of feather-topped reeds. empty and sight was replaced with And yes, I was here for the starlings. And then it started. A trickle of sound as the chattering roost settled I wanted to experience the daily movement in the eastern sky. A for the night. roosting ritual that my hosts had swelling overture. A growing move- I was suddenly aware of the chilly told me about, known as the mur- ment. Starlings flying in rapid har- dampness and the twilight dusk and murations. mony. Within moments other flocks was pleased that I had my own roost It was a late January afternoon, the joined them and then the silent sym- to return to. It came with the prom- wintery sky’s patchwork of golden phony began. Thousands of birds ise of shared food and good com- pink clouds mirrored in the wetland flooding the sky, a shape-shifting pany for a winter’s evening and the landscape. Cold rain blew in sud- mass flying in close formation as pleasure of another WWOOFing ex- denly creating a rainbow arch across though linked by a magnetic force. perience with added benefits. the wide horizon, dissolving as Now bound tightly, shadowing the photo: David Kjaer from the RSPB quickly as it had arrived. Overhead a sky. Now stretched ribbon-fine in a website solitary wide-winged hawk hovered interest free loans for hosts? The Organic Research Centre, (ORC) loans from organic farmers and food pro- launched the new Dean Organic Fund at ducers who wish to expand their enter- the Oxford Real Farming Conference ear- prises by investing in equipment or stock lier this year. The fund offers interest- or would benefit from other working free loans, typically ranging from £5,000 capital. The fund is also open to those to £25,000, to small-scale organic/ producers that are not certified organic ecological growers and food businesses. but whose operations are closely aligned The Organic Research Centre is inviting with organic principles. applications for interest-free, unsecured Details here: goo.gl/t9ujEg

wwoof uk news issue 258 page 10 seed sovereignty The turning of the New Year has on the UK market is organic. That seen an exciting programme spring means the majority of the ‘organic’ into action. The UK and Ireland products we purchase and consume Seed Sovereignty Programme is are grown by organic methods, being hosted by the Gaia Founda- but not from organic seed. While tion and will see partners such as food growers across the UK are the Soil Association, The Seed Co- thinking twice before spraying operative and the Land Workers chemicals in the field, is enough Alliance working together to thought being put into the produc- strengthen the movement of tion of the seeds that we are bring- agroecological seed producers in ing into our ecosystems? the UK and Ireland. Katie Hastings, The good news is that seed sover- Maria Scholten says ‘we start the a WWOOF UK trustee, is their seed eignty is taking root in the UK and seed programme with small-scale coordinator for Wales and explains Ireland food sovereignty movement. trials in 2018, to investigate seed how the programme will work. Inspiring seed companies such as production under Northern agro- Recent years have seen a huge surge the Seed Cooperative and Real ecological growing conditions: a in activity around Food Sovereignty, Seeds are producing open pollinated short growing season with long sum- with people reawakening to ques- seed in ecologically sound ways. mer days. If you have suggestions tions of where their food is pro- for crops or varieties to trial, want to So how will this ambitious pro- offer land, or just be informed, get duced, how it is produced and what gramme be practically realised? The in touch’. [email protected] impact this has on the planet. But Seed Sovereignty Programme aims we cannot talk about food without to remain profoundly local, with re- West England: Coordinator Ellen talking about the seed that is the gional activities being informed by Rignell is supporting the set up of a start and end of any food plant. Ac- geographic area and the ideas of seed producers co-operative. Look- cording to John Navazio’s history of those in those locations. Here is a ing to the future, Ellen is wanting to the agricultural seed, saving seed roundup of some of the regional connect with more growers in the was an integral part of farming right activities that WWOOF hosts can get Western region, particularly in Corn- up until around 100 years ago. He involved in: wall. [email protected] explains that seed ‘was woven into East England: Coordinator Page the fabric of the farm’ until we Wales: As the regional coordinator for Wales I am currently engaged in Dykstra has been working with sev- started to hand our seed production eral regional groups of the Land over to commercial companies after recruiting professional growers and market gardeners in a seed produc- Workers Alliance to discuss possible the second world war. tion training programme. Working in trainings and events around seed With the commercialisation of seed partnership with Real Seeds, grow- production, particularly in the East production has come the huge in- ers are being invited to two training Anglia and North East (and West) crease in F1 hybrid seed being cre- events at Real Seeds headquarters, regions. She is also discussing possi- ated. While this seed could offer as well as being offered ‘technical ble London-based activities with the new varieties with enticing traits intensives’ with author of Back Gar- London Freedom Seed Bank. such as disease resistance, the seed den Seed Saving, Sue Stickland. [email protected] from these plants could no longer be Those able to produce high quality Ireland: Wayne Frankham is working saved and grown ‘true to type’. seed will be able to move on to pro- in Ireland through a dynamic part- Farmers passed on the delicate art ducing seed for sale in the Real nership between Irish Seed Savers of producing their own locally Seeds catalogue. I am also support- and the Gaia Foundation to run vari- adapted varieties to the seed com- ing the establishment of a Welsh ety trials looking at how hybrid and panies, losing many local crop varie- Seed Hub in which seed producers open pollinated seed perform in the ties in the process. can share seed and knowledge. field. Organic issues are also at the fore- [email protected] [email protected] front of seed sovereignty. Currently Scotland: Scottish Coordinator 1 The Organic Seed Grower, John Navazio, Chelsea only 3% of all seed available to grow Green Publishing Co., 2012

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WWOOF welcomes 16 year-olds On 1st February 2018 WWOOF UK assessed by Beccy and a WWOOF tact us using: [email protected] made a significant change to the UK staff member, with successful Having shared this news with hosts sign-up process for volunteers by applicants being notified in May. before the official launch on our reducing the minimum age for join- More details can be found on our website we have been buoyed by ing from 18 to 16. Given the recent home page, www.wwoof.org.uk. the response which has been over- decline in WWOOFer numbers we We are aware that for some mem- whelmingly positive. hope this will give our membership bers this change may raise questions a much-needed boost. about legal responsibilities, in To accompany this development, we particular child protection. We are offering ten lucky young people have thought about this inno- bursaries to cover their membership vation long and hard and con- fees and travel costs to their first sulted a number of profession- host. Many thanks must go to Beccy als and organisations in the Murrell, Regional Host Contact for process. The advice we have the North West who secured this received has been added to funding for us from her employer, the FAQ section of our web- THINK Consulting Solutions, as part site, www.wwoof.org.uk/faq. of their charitable activities. Please refer to the FAQs ini- Bursary applications need to be sub- tially but if you don’t find the mitted by 16th April 2018 and will be answers you need please con- plan for the worst Midlands RHC, David Beaton, sug- illness. Staff are available who can I know Taryn, our Host Contact, gests a few simple steps that will speak a range of languages, just ask does recommend that you include save time and anguish should a when you make first contact. Some- this information in the questionnaire host be faced with a WWOOFer times NHS 111 will need to call you which you send out to potential with a medical emergency. back, so make sure you have enough WWOOFers. But is it readily accessi- Most of the time WWOOFing works charge in your phone and a decent ble? We keep this information for well for both hosts and volunteers. signal. A landline is a safer option. current WWOOFers in a ring binder However in September I received a your RHC: we are available to offer which is always to hand, but use any call from one of my hosts who was help and for you to discuss your con- method which suits you. dealing with a serious medical crisis. cerns with us Remember you cannot rely on the Fortunately, the outcome was satis- WWOOFer information: WWOOFer to provide this informa- factory, but the incident did throw If you are handing someone over to tion at the time. up some points that I feel should be the emergency services they will If they are unconscious they obvi- passed on. need the following information, so ously cannot, but be aware that if A medical emergency can arise as a you should have it to hand. In an they do not have English as a first result of accident, physical or mental emergency you do not want to be language whatever English they illness. trawling through your emails to find know quickly disappears when Where to get help: this information. shocked, under stress, or anxious. 999 for life threatening emergencies Full Name The WWWOOF admin team is al- NHS 111: the operators here will Date of Birth ways grateful to know if any of our give advice, despatch an ambulance Next of Kin and contact details hosts or WWOOFers have had to or first responders if necessary. They any medical history you know about deal with an emergency while can advise on physical or mental WWOOFing so please let us know using [email protected]

wwoof uk news issue 258 page 12 classifieds Classified ads are free up to 50 words at the editor’s discretion. WWOOF UK accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of advertisements and does not endorse the products and services offered. You are advised to check before availing yourself of what is offered. [email protected]. uk

Courses at Karuna Insight Design, We are looking for someone to help Regenerative Design for Small beautiful established 18 acre Forest us run a thriving, organic market Farms April 28th / 29th 2018 Canol- garden project in Shropshire: garden near Hay-on-Wye, from fan Hermon Community Resource Grafting 4 March, Scything 9 June, April till October 2018. We offer Centre, Hermon, Pembs, SA36 0DT. Permaculture Intro 4-5 August, For- food, accommodation and £50/ Fees (inc food): from £75 (sliding est Gardening 11-12 August, Grow week as well as a good learning en- scale) Booking is essential (deposit Beyond Vegan (permaculture) 1-2 vironment. Email us at primroseor- or full payment) useful for farmers/ September. You can WWOOF before [email protected] or call smallholders/ permaculturists at any or after a course. Contact Glenn: 07891756358 or stage. Hosted by Niels Corfield. [email protected], 01694- Tamsin: 07427041939 Booking form: http://bit.ly/2rRYDun 751374, karuna.org.uk, Karuna in- sight design on Facebook Room to rent in large country Where have all WWOOFers gone? house on 13 acre organic smallhold- Is there no one out there with an French family of four: 2 boys, Chris ing. Suit single or couple. En-suite. affinity to country living/animals/ (46, English teacher) and Bruno (47, Woodburner. Woodlands. Shared gardening etc? Non-smokers, any stone mason/landscape gardener). kitchen. Space to grow own veg. age or gender warmly welcomed to We plan to live/work/WWOOF in Rural location 6 miles from Exeter. this Welsh Hill Farm. Host ID 39555 south west UK, from August 2018- Contact Hazel 07876267591 Contact 01239 820432 (evenings January 2019. Interested in offers [email protected] best) for long term WWOOFing or house sitting/small rent. We all speak OK Free holidays for tired WWOOFers. English and have already WWOOFed Are you a new or landless grower Large shed with woodburner, in Australia+ UK. who has energy and skill to help cooker and necessary cutlery etc, Contact: [email protected] start up a collaborative market gar- separate shower, loo, and upstairs den enterprise on land you could bedroom, free for short breaks in We are always interested in hear- potentially live on? Are the South our six acre wildlife home in rural ing from members who would like Shropshire Hills AONB an area you’d North Cornwall. No dogs. to be more closely involved with consider? If so, get in touch to talk Email: [email protected] WWOOF UK. possibilities. [email protected] Contact [email protected]

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