This Friday Farming tip is all about WWOOFing (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) If you are wanting to experience sustainable farming techniques first hand or are thinking of a treechange to the land then a WWOOFing experience may be very insightful and fun.

I found this great you tube clip of a WWOOFer on his first week in New Zealand.

What is WWOOF?

WWOOF is a world wide network of organisations who link volunteers with organic farmers, and help people share more sustainable ways of living.

WWOOF is an exchange - In return for volunteer help, WWOOF hosts offer food, accommodation and opportunities to learn about organic lifestyles.

WWOOF organisations link people who want to volunteer on organic farms or smallholdings with people who are looking for volunteer help.

What a great way to learn and have a holiday at the same time with you food and accommodation included.

Have you ever WWOOFed? What was your experience?

Please feel free to share about your WWOOFing so others can also learn from your experience.

Passionate about sustainable farming

Karen van Huizen

Sonia and Dan moved thier family to the Strathbogie Ranges.

1. Can you please share a little about yourself, where you came from and the general area that you have moved to.

A –Mum of 3 moved with my husband to a small town in Strathbogie Ranges, North East Vic.

2. How long had you been thinking about moving before you made the change?

A-about 3 years

3. What were the main factors that made you want to make the treechange?

A-We really didn’t want the kids growing up in modern Melbourne. Where the freedom that we had as kids has been compromised so drastically that you can’t let your kids walk to the park on their own for fear of “strangers” Continue reading →

It’s Farming Friday!!! Each Friday we’ll be bringing you sustainable farming tips

This week’s tip shows the growing evidence that supports keeping a continuous living cover on the ground to build the soil fertility and supply food to the microbes living in the soil.

Farming Friday Tips provides useful information to farmers and future farmers on small sustainable farms. It also helps to educate consumers who are creating sustainable communities and supporting sustainable farms.

Have you used this method? How has it made a difference to your farm?

Living passionately

Karen van Huizen

Even if you decide that treechange isn’t for you then maybe you might like to join a local produce swap.

What a great way to become part of creating a sustainable community within your own neighbourhood.

Julietta says “it’s a magical experience”

Why not create your own mini urban treechange and get involved in or start a produce swap.

What else could you do that brings your local community together?

When you are finding passion it is important to find your verb first.

The word passion is a noun; however, we are usually “doing” when we are living with passion, which is a verb. I have to thank Alex Mandossian for this insight. It was in one of his courses that he mentioned his view on the verb. He said “people are defined by what they “do” (their verb), not by who they are (their noun)”. Although the verb was mentioned briefly I quickly saw the connection with finding passion.

His formula is simple, you just have to fill in the blank:  “I <Your Verb>, therefore I am.” Continue reading →

I was talking with an old friend this morning and I was reminded how important following your passion is, especially if you are planning a treechange or moving to the country.

I remembered how Jason had inspired me in our late teens when he found out that he needed glasses. It seemed as if his whole world had fallen apart because he knew that he wouldn’t be accepted into the airforce as a pilot.

It’s funny, you may think that you have your life planned out, but, life has a strange way of putting in a road block to help you to evaluate where you are going. Where you think you are going is not always where you need to be!

I am so proud of what my friend has achieved. He is an example to all of what is possible when you don’t let life throw you down. He followed his heart and trusted that life would turn out for the best.

Continue reading →