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Post by mikemurphy on Mar 17, 2009 6:52:28 GMT 8
We have two woofers coming today. I don't know if you know this scheme. You pay to have your name in the Woofer handbook and people contact you and come to live with you on the basis of a minimum of four hours work a day for food and lodging. Woofer stands for willing workers on organic farms. We've had a lot of interesting people stay with us, mostly youngsters from Europe. One helped me to build my second chook run and shed. At the moment I have a lot of work to do cutting back the verges of firebreaks, mowing the orchards and clearing the area for new vegie beds so it is a good time for some to be coming.
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Post by mandimoo on Mar 17, 2009 8:07:51 GMT 8
Thats such a good set up. Do they get paid at all or is it just board and food? We have backpackers come work for us, we have had some interesting ones too germans mostly. But they pay to stay in the dongas or caravans on the farm and get paid to work. Pity I couldn't get them to build my chook runs, but I dont think the big boss would like to pay them to do that!
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Post by fluffychook on Mar 17, 2009 8:27:44 GMT 8
What a great idea, win win situation.
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Woofers
Mar 17, 2009 10:00:22 GMT 8
Post by lakelands on Mar 17, 2009 10:00:22 GMT 8
I have been wanting to get involved with WOOFERS for a couple of years now but don't currently have accomodation for them however my freind who lives in Chidlow has been getting them in for years. She gets them to do work on the property like building fences and chookhouses and gardening and she get girls doing housework and cooking She has a railway carriage that she kitted out and an old caravan and she also lends them push bikes. They cost her nothing but food and lodgings and she has had some wonderful people. www.wwoof.com.au/
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Woofers
Mar 17, 2009 15:58:52 GMT 8
Post by mikemurphy on Mar 17, 2009 15:58:52 GMT 8
No you don't pay them. Just board and lodging. We also have a railway carriage fitted out and another shed which is lined with a pot bellied stove etc. Some are more skilled than others so you have to match the work to their abilities. We get a lot of weeding done that way and they help us to fetch in firewood. Only problem we ever had was a couple where the guy could speak no English and couldn't understand what he had to do. His partner could translate, but that meant she had to be with him all the time and that wasn't alway practical. Generally it has been very good.
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Woofers
Mar 18, 2009 15:52:07 GMT 8
Post by beck on Mar 18, 2009 15:52:07 GMT 8
That does sound good for both parties you get work and they get free board interesting i have never heard of it before sounds good ....I thought i was going to hear a dog story and was thinking what the !!! but that is interesting ... The non english speaking would be dangerous if there was a accident hmm i would not like that it would make me worry all the time
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Post by mikemurphy on Mar 19, 2009 6:10:14 GMT 8
They turned up - two young French guys. Spent a day working yesterday and the three of us did more in that day than I could have done in three days by myself. Today Penney gets them to work in her garden.
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Post by horses7 on Mar 19, 2009 7:28:10 GMT 8
It is such a great idea, am looking around now for a caravan or similar so I can have Woofers too, am just thinking on how many new chook yards there could be.
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Post by fluffychook on Mar 19, 2009 8:20:31 GMT 8
I think your OH would be very happy to support this venture, no more chook pen building....ummm....sorry, less chook pen building
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Post by lakelands on Mar 19, 2009 9:56:59 GMT 8
You could put to the OH very well imagine all the extra time he will get to sit back and watch the footy or just chill....can see that caravan on the doorstep next week LOL
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Woofers
Mar 19, 2009 17:36:10 GMT 8
Post by mikemurphy on Mar 19, 2009 17:36:10 GMT 8
Just tell him a significant proportion of Woofers are blonde Scandanavian girls with big .... sorry, my wife jogged my arm!
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Woofers
Mar 20, 2009 14:17:51 GMT 8
Post by beck on Mar 20, 2009 14:17:51 GMT 8
lol Mike i hope she did too and gave you a dead arm for it typical male !! but it does sound like a good idea H7 i had never heard it of it before and they sound very efficient too !! Have you ever had things go missing Mike or any disasters ??
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