HelpX versus WWOOF ... - Thorn Tree travel forum

HelpX versus WWOOF

Replies: 17 - Last Post: 28-Oct-2009 22:24 Last Post By: lauraloo2

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Posted
31-Dec-2006 06:40
by: annalouise19

Posts: 8
Registered: 15/12/06

HelpX versus WWOOF

hello all!

I was wondering if anyone could recommend HelpX over and above WWOOF (workers willing to work on organic farms) or vice versa? There seems to be little difference to the untrained eye, but for the fact that HelpX seems to require payment to access an online database, whereas WWOOF sends you out a book. And WWOOF has different associations which need to be joined for access to different countries, while HelpX offers the whole world for the one payment.

The WWOOF website doesn't offer reviews of helper experiences that are offered on HelpX, which seems like quite an important feature. Do their books offer this? I have heard really good things about WWOOFing in Australia on this forum, but mixed reports on overseas experiences. I am looking at working in Portugal, Spain and Italy on farms. I am not particularly bothered about the farms being strictly organic, I'm more interested in getting to know the country better.

Please let me know if this post would be better off elsewhere!
Cheers,
Anna

Posted
13-Jan-2007 00:48
by: Ickel

Posts: 259
Registered: 19/04/03

1

I have never heard of HelpX, is it a new organisation? If WWOOF is older, more establiashed perhaps it has more hosts?

When I went with WWOOF International I opted to access the online database- you can choose a book or internet. Spain and Portugal are on their international list, however, Italy has its own national WWOOF. So, that is something worth considering. Can you preview the lists before you sign-up? I recall with WWOOF there was like a preview list, you could see all the details about all the hosts, except for their contact details. Knowing what may be available might sway your decision...

Every farm is very different, it is not really WWOOF that makes the experience good or bad- it's between you and the host. Though, clearly getting feedback and reviews about places would be very useful.

Posted
17-Jan-2007 09:45
by: May Yiwan

Posts: 4
Registered: 21/01/03

2

I am a host for Wwoof and Help Exchange ( www.helpexchange.net ) If you register on HelpExchange hosts can contact YOU! With the Wwoof book, hosts can’t update their details regularly, and they can’t see what helpers are looking for hosts. Help Exchange is online, so you can check it out as a 'guest', or register as a Standard member for FREE, add a description about yourself, which Hosts can view, and they may then contact you and invite you to stay at their property. Host listings can be viewed without registering by signing in as a 'Guest', but guest visitors will not be able to see any contact details. Premier hosts can see the contact details of ALL registered members, and Standard members can see the contact details of all Premier hosts. Standard (free) registered members can see the listed descriptions of ALL hosts, but can only see the CONTACT details of premier hosts. When a helper finds a host they would like to stay with they can contact them direct, and make arrangements to stay. It costs just Aust$25 to become a PREMIER helper worldwide for two years (about the same price as paying for one night in a backpacker hostel!).

Posted
23-Apr-2007 00:37
by: Kira

Posts: 2,890
Registered: 07/01/03

3

I'm a host for HelpX.net and it's great.

The advantages for the host & helper are fantastic if you're with the right people. HelpX has the 'addition' of references online, I leave references for the helpers that have come through and they leave references about me.

When I say the 'right' people, for me it's being able to judge their honesty - living in my home and being able to use their initiative whilst I'm not at home. For them it's about working a few hours a day (not all day!) discovering the area and when at mine I take them off to various sites of interest or just for a 'jolly' in the car to see some more of the region. They are treated as if they are family here and accepted by the village as such - invited to every party I'm invited to.

Works well, if the two parties are like minded - of the 6 HelpX'ers that I've had here, only one I asked to go after a week; the others stayed between a month & 10 weeks!

Kira

Life is what you make it
Travels & Thoughts on W.Africa
Cote d'Ivoire & beyond (unfinished blog) 07-08
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Intended passenger carrying trip France-Cote d'Ivoire December 09!

Posted
23-Apr-2007 00:41
by: Kira

Posts: 2,890
Registered: 07/01/03

4

PS. One MASSIVE difference between the two - HelpX offers a range of things to do inside and outside the host's home - might be organic gardening etc but in my case I don't have enough garden to do that ... so it's a range of painting etc ...

WWOOF is SOLELY outdoor gardening type activities ...

Horses for courses, but HelpX gives more opportunity!

Kira

Life is what you make it
Travels & Thoughts on W.Africa
Cote d'Ivoire & beyond (unfinished blog) 07-08
Guinea/G.Bissau/Senegal 06-07
Intended passenger carrying trip France-Cote d'Ivoire December 09!

Posted
11-May-2007 02:05
by: waitawa

Posts: 201
Registered: 15/09/06

5

I have to agree, we also here at Waitawa Farm Hostel are help x hosts, we like it because when we are not looking for help, we can disable our listing, therefore not wasting potential visitors time in contacting us. We also like the references feature on help x. We used to be wwoof hosts in teh days when they still accepted non organic hosts, but they tightened up teh rules so we left

Hook up with the Hokianga farmstaynz.co.nz hokianga.org.nz

Posted
02-Jul-2007 08:10
by: treetraveller

Posts: 48
Registered: 07/04/02

6

there are now are over 1400 hosts worldwide in HelpX

Posted
02-Jul-2007 11:12
by: Kira

Posts: 2,890
Registered: 07/01/03

7

And growing, my friends in Eesti were so impressed with the concept & the HelpX'er I had with me (I'm a host) that they're about to sign up too - as the first in Estonia!

Kira

Life is what you make it
Travels & Thoughts on W.Africa
Cote d'Ivoire & beyond (unfinished blog) 07-08
Guinea/G.Bissau/Senegal 06-07
Intended passenger carrying trip France-Cote d'Ivoire December 09!

Posted
21-Aug-2007 10:31
by: treetraveller

Posts: 48
Registered: 07/04/02

8

Hi Kiri, there are still no hosts in Estonia, are your friends still going to join up?

Posted
22-Aug-2007 01:02
by: Kira

Posts: 2,890
Registered: 07/01/03

9

Yup, they are but baby no3 is on the way (in a week or so) so I think other things have taken over!

However my cousin here in France is on board, and a few other friends - all enjoying it! And a former helper has got his aunt to sign up as a host in NZ!

Kira

Life is what you make it
Travels & Thoughts on W.Africa
Cote d'Ivoire & beyond (unfinished blog) 07-08
Guinea/G.Bissau/Senegal 06-07
Intended passenger carrying trip France-Cote d'Ivoire December 09!

Posted
26-Feb-2008 16:14
by: schweinfleisch

Posts: 2
Registered: 26/02/08

10

Hi all. I'm a helper with HelpX and have also had a look at the WWOOF book in my travels throughout New Zealand. I like the immediacy and easy searchability of the HelpX scheme compared with thumbing thru the WWOOF book. Also, the reviews help the system "police itself," since helpers and hosts can write references for one another.

HelpX has been great for me because I've done a lot of my planning from the road and from home in the US. Since hosts can update regularly, letting you know whether they need help and what exactly they're looking for at the time, you can eliminate a lot of unnecessary calls/e-mails.

Also, since the term "organic" is so nebulous, a lot of farms and homes that would be ineligible for WWOOF are on HelpX. I am a horse person and a gardener and I've found many potential hosts via HelpX that might not be on WWOOF. Rock on, HelpX!

Posted
02-Dec-2008 00:20
by: gmaster9

Posts: 3
Registered: 05/10/01

11

I'd like to express here my apprehension with the WWOOF organization, since, although it's really giving a awesome contribution to the devleopment of organic farming worldwide, it does'nt seem to receive the criticism it deserves on the aspect of accessibility and fair management.

First, the WWOOF organization really needs to update its membership policy, as it's really inconvenient for people travelling to many countries, especially across Europe. Their methods feels they date from the '90s and are far from benefiting from the many possibilities that the Internet has today (never heard of an "online forum" people?). And it's jsut ridiculous that you have to BUY a membership -that's actually not so cheap- to each and every European country, especially under the European Union, and that you've got to have either a credit card or to pay it by mail (which forces you to do the register weeks before you take off on your trip).

Furthermore, the WWOOF organization does'nt provide much feedback possibilities to members and it makes it easy for dishonest, indecent or just all around bad hosts to keep their membership and stay advertised on the list without having anyone being able to tell about their experience. Unfair.

I tried Helpx many times, and it was working fine, with more up-to-date informations on hosts, and it needs only ONE lifetime membership for all areas of the world. Still have to pay for full access, but as others said, at least it's possible for hosts to contact you.

Edited by: gmaster9

Posted
05-Dec-2008 09:43
by: naugastyle

Posts: 2,244
Registered: 25/06/04

12

Thanks for bumping up this post...I had never heard of HelpX but was pretty sure WWOOF was not for me. The various opportunities on HelpX like leading treks in Jordan or helping organize tours in Rwanda or English Corners in China or arts & crafts projects in Bolivia are definitely much more up my alley. Great info on this thread, thanks!

A P E R T U R E - travelogues and a semi-updated photoblog of travel & NYC

Posted
17-Jan-2009 23:04
by: annewilson

Posts: 1
Registered: 17/01/09

13

We are hosts for both helpx and Wwoof, we have been hosting with Wwoof for sixteen years but we do prefer the helpx, so many of the volunteers with Wwoof have no interest in Organics and are only looking for a cheap holiday, with helpx we find that having a full profile of the helpers helps us decide who is best suited for us.We dont always need help with the farming side, with helpx we can find people who wish to learn things other than farming.We also have found that Wwoffers are normally only looking for a short stay, helpxers normally look for a longer stay which means that they can see a project through to the end.

Posted
23-Jul-2009 00:40
by: adamgreenman

Posts: 4
Registered: 23/07/09

14

Hello there folks,

I started wwoofing 10 years ago and have now been to nearly 50 hosts worldwide.
Just last week I heard about 'Helpx' and am really pleased to see that there are other
volunteering opportunities available that needn't cost the earth. So many first time volunteers
are stuck in the 'raising lots of sponsorship' path.

I look forward to looking into helpx in more detail real soon and trying out a place or two.

I have just published 'The Practical Guide To Wwoofing', available via:

www.wwoofing.co.uk This site is a great deal of fun

Its the first pocket handbook of its kind. thanks for the space.

It seems that if you are genuinely into 'organics', than wwoof takes the biscuit ( the organic one that is. )
Its quite right that some wwoofers just do it for a free place to stay, but not always. There are 1000's upon 1000's of people worldwide who are wwoofing right now and are really interested in gaining indepth knowledge about organic self sufficiency and ecologically sound ways of living - and they are learning. Many go onto to start their own small holdings. 'Wwoof' will soon be 40 years old. Thats a mighty long time. Though not nearly as long as the earth has existed 'chemical free' nice and tidily on its own....ahhhh.

Got that off my chest...feel all better now...thankyou!

Adam Greenman

For more wwoofing tips -search the forums for 'adamgreenman', thanks/

Edited by: adamgreenman

Edited by: adamgreenman

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