What is WWOOFing?
WWOOF stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, and the organisation has been going for over 45 years, giving people the chance to visit and work on organic farms, broadening their skills and experiencing new places and lifestyles.
We've been WWOOF hosts since last summer, and so far our experience has been a success. As a small farm, there's always much more to do than we have time for, so welcoming new people to help us with ongoing projects and everyday tasks works perfectly for us.
What's it like to visit us?
As a visiting WWOOFer to Chalk House, you'll stay with us for free, working six days a week for approximately six hours a day. At least one day a week will be yours to do as you please, whether that be travelling to the nearby city of Lincoln, or simply exploring the beautiful area in which we live. During the winter months, you'll stay in a bell tent with woodburning stove and double bed. In the summer, you'll be in a canvas tent, but will be no less comfortable. Meals are all provided, and we cater for vegetarians if needed. We offer visits from one week to a couple of months if appropriate.
Cleaning out the chicken house.
Work can be tiring, but it will always be fulfilling, and we have plenty of breaks for coffee and homemade cake! Here's what you can expect at different times of the year:
- Spring 2017: plastering with lime mortar; working with ecological building materials such as straw-bale insulation; sowing seeds in the greenhouse; weeding and general maintenance of the vegetable patch; day-to-day management of livestock (ducks, chickens and sheep).
The main building project.
The vegetable patch in late spring / early summer.
- Summer 2017: further work on the main building project; construction of our new blacksmith's forge; sowing seeds and planting out seedlings in the vegetable patch; day-to-day management of livestock (ducks, chickens, sheep and bees); honey harvest.
Working in the apiary.
- Autumn 2017: further building work projects (TBC); vegetable harvest and preservation; weeding and general maintenance; day-to-day management of livestock (ducks, chickens, sheep and bees); apple harvest and cider making.
Apples ready to be harvested in the orchard.
- Winter 2017: further building work projects (TBC); digging and preparing the vegetable patch for the new year; day-to-day management of livestock (ducks, chickens and sheep).
A recent construction project: a shed made from an old Anderson Shelter.
If you like the sound of a visit, you need to register with WWOOF in order to send an enquiry email. You can preview our profile by clicking here, though you won't see the images and specific visit details until you sign up.
We look forward to welcoming you to the farm!