It's been less than two weeks since I've arrived in France. The first farm that I've been staying at has been Cagnolle, just outside of Belvès, a historic medieval town in the south of the country. The land and a few of the buildings were purchased in 2008 by Benoît & Francesca, owners and operators of Cagnolle. Now the once downtrodden site is in the process of renovation, but already looks ages away from what the property looked like when it was purchased four years ago. Described as an experimental agricultural ecosystem, the farm is constantly growing as the couple tends to their goats, sheep, and chickens, several vegetable and herb gardens, and the 400 walnut trees planted within the past couple of years.
As I described in my last post, WWOOF is an invisible organization as it relies on the participants for it to function. Within each partnership between worker and host, it has the ability to run full circle. I've only been here for a limited time so far, but my understanding of the program's dynamic is fairly good just by dipping my toe in the water. The most important thing is not to have expectations, I guess apart from a sense of optimism and anticipation of the adventures to come. This is especially true in that there really are no rules in regards to how the farmers treat you and what they provide apart from our inherent human rights, therefore, there isn't such thing as a consistent experience in WWOOF and it becomes less of a job and more of a glimpse into a new and unique culture. If you're planning on WWOOF across a larger area, staying at several farms consecutively, obviously each place is going to treat and provide in a different sort of manner. You must be able to adapt, and go with the flow in order to suffice and truly immerse yourself. An organic farm isn't just a hotel, so you will not be provided with breakfast in bed and warm towels each morning when you rise as soon as the sun goes down. There's a kind of a thrill from facing every sort of trepidation head on, and you can think of it in terms of how you are going to grow or you can just breathe and live in the moment and watch your majesty unfold as the Universe offers you the ultimate experience.
At Cagnolle, we eat breakfast at 8am (bread and jam, with tea) and then work until noon. Lunch is around 1pm, followed by a short break, and then working until around 6:30pm or later depending on the day, finally finishing with a late dinner at 8 or 9pm. The vegetarian means consist of mainly plants and ingredients from the farm, as well as a few other things as Cagnolle is not yet completely self-sustainable (that's the aspiration). There is, however, a lot of creativity that goes into maintaining variety and complete, healthful meals from basic ingredients and produce, so there really isn't ever a dull moment at the dining table (much wine is also a big help). We also do not throw away food, and will finish leftovers before making a new meal. Meals are a nice accommodation to the work that we do five days a week, ranging from general maintenance to the farm, new projects, or preparation for particular events, like visits from people renting rooms or organic fairs. It's incredible to put myself completely into tasks without the incentive of pay, but rather becoming part of the system of the farm, and even getting the satisfaction of the much bigger project that it is, really a community we are all a part of. Everybody can get involved in their own way, as it will all connect here on Earth.
Cagnolle's Website
Friday, July 6, 2012
Sunday, July 1, 2012
WWOOFing: An Introduction
If anybody is looking for an inexpensive method of travel, as well as an opportunity to immerse themselves within a particular culture, World-Wide Opportunity in Organic Farming (WWOOF) is a fairly new program created for seeing the world through the layman's eyes. Originating in England in 1971 as a means of experiencing the country for those from the city with not much time, WWOOFing quickly became popular locally, until finally gaining international recognition in the year 2000 when the first worldwide conference was held between 15 countries to discuss the expectations and values of both workers (WWOOFers) and farmers. Since then, especially with the lightning fast growth of telecommunication in the world, the population of WWOOFers has risen well into the thousands, with farms in 50+ countries. There is no sort of commission to work on a farm, for the only money involved is to become a member. The program revels in respect, and the exchange between labor on the individual farms, and hospitality from the farmer's end. To become a participant in WWOOF all it takes is a desire to see a specific area of the world and the member fee, as little as 15$.
WWOOF is a system held together by the people participating, a glue made of hard work and good vibes. It acts as a web, forming communities across the world, with even more accommodation from social networking which allows people to stay in touch easily over long distances. It's real-life social networking pieced together not by a foundation, but by the bonds of friendship and promise.
The evolution and importance of WWOOF is obvious through both the construction of intimate communities, as well as viewing grass-roots parallels, like farmer's markets and music festivals. In the past century, and especially the last decade, the breaking away from commercial systems in culture as a whole has been obvious with people connecting at local levels in order to construct a unique message of kindness as neighbors. Information is moving rapidly at an exponential rate and this is true also of culture. We see it both with larger world populations and growing access to knowledge. Anybody can create, be it through music, visual art, agriculture, or any other sort of practical means. I believe that like localized music festivals, farmer's markets, and grassroots companies, WWOOF will play a very significant role in the future of international relations and our growing world identity and culture.
I attended the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA from the fall of 2011 to the spring of '12. Despite the beautiful area and many new friends, I knew that it wasn't the place for me. I had enough of sitting at a desk with the incentive of letter grades to persuade me to take in the funneled knowledge of the world, something that I had been made to do the entire decade before I had started University; everybody learns uniquely, and it was obvious to me that I needed to immerse myself in a more hands on environment. This mindset, of course, is not true for everybody, and I think that the most important notion is to "learn how you learn". I don't think anybody can denote that for you as well as yourself, for it takes personal practice and experience in becoming vulnerable and taking risks, molding a perspective through your own eyes.
I don't remember how I first heard of WWOOF, but a few months after I did two of my friends traveled to Hawaii to work across the Pacific. It sounded wonderful, like an experience that I definitely needed to try, however I wanted to go alone. I've worked since I was 15, including waiting tables at a restaurant, working in a grocery store and in the school cafeteria's kitchen. I've grown to understand the value and importance of honest good work, but the incentive of pay always seems to become an obstacle in a way. I think that the most advanced of societies would have a transactional system based on merit and exchange rather than on monetary token, so even though I was enjoying and gaining many experiences, friends, and skills from working, the idea of money and "why I was really there" almost distracted me even though that's not what my heart really wanted. Even so, as soon as school got let out, I immediately went back to my old job at the grocery store in Minnesota and worked as long of hours as possible to save traveling funds before June 25th, when my plane took off for my destination: Paris, France.
I chose France because I wanted to travel to somewhere new, somewhere that didn't speak English as a primary language, yet was still within range for me to participate as a member of society. I originally considered going to South America-its "end of the world" depth and exotic temperament appealed to me. I realized that leaving school to go work on farms in a foreign country was out there enough, so it would probably be more reasonable to travel somewhere "closer to home". My Dad is from England, so somewhere in mainland Europe was an obvious balance between new and old, aiding from the fact that I have plenty of family easily accessible in the UK, and also being able to simply apply for dual-nationality and extend my stay or come back if I ever want to. Being a white, Anglo-Saxon would be an advantage too in terms of inconspicuousness...
I'm not trying to write about the surface experiences, like a journal, but more so my thoughts throughout the journey, and maybe enough to answer any potential questions that anybody reading this might have. This is my experience, and rather than offer everyone the nitty-gritty, I'd rather let people know what is going through my own mind regarding certain humps in my adventure, cultural similarities and differences, and ideas and philosophies about the cosmos at large. Many people reading this will be interested in traveling lightly to foreign countries or even WWOOFing, and hopefully I'll encourage some to look into it themselves. I'll provide some sorts of foundational ideas, and it will be up to the reader to fill in their own blanks, hopefully leading to their own profound thoughts and maybe a misadventure or two.
WWOOF is a system held together by the people participating, a glue made of hard work and good vibes. It acts as a web, forming communities across the world, with even more accommodation from social networking which allows people to stay in touch easily over long distances. It's real-life social networking pieced together not by a foundation, but by the bonds of friendship and promise.
The evolution and importance of WWOOF is obvious through both the construction of intimate communities, as well as viewing grass-roots parallels, like farmer's markets and music festivals. In the past century, and especially the last decade, the breaking away from commercial systems in culture as a whole has been obvious with people connecting at local levels in order to construct a unique message of kindness as neighbors. Information is moving rapidly at an exponential rate and this is true also of culture. We see it both with larger world populations and growing access to knowledge. Anybody can create, be it through music, visual art, agriculture, or any other sort of practical means. I believe that like localized music festivals, farmer's markets, and grassroots companies, WWOOF will play a very significant role in the future of international relations and our growing world identity and culture.
I attended the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA from the fall of 2011 to the spring of '12. Despite the beautiful area and many new friends, I knew that it wasn't the place for me. I had enough of sitting at a desk with the incentive of letter grades to persuade me to take in the funneled knowledge of the world, something that I had been made to do the entire decade before I had started University; everybody learns uniquely, and it was obvious to me that I needed to immerse myself in a more hands on environment. This mindset, of course, is not true for everybody, and I think that the most important notion is to "learn how you learn". I don't think anybody can denote that for you as well as yourself, for it takes personal practice and experience in becoming vulnerable and taking risks, molding a perspective through your own eyes.
I don't remember how I first heard of WWOOF, but a few months after I did two of my friends traveled to Hawaii to work across the Pacific. It sounded wonderful, like an experience that I definitely needed to try, however I wanted to go alone. I've worked since I was 15, including waiting tables at a restaurant, working in a grocery store and in the school cafeteria's kitchen. I've grown to understand the value and importance of honest good work, but the incentive of pay always seems to become an obstacle in a way. I think that the most advanced of societies would have a transactional system based on merit and exchange rather than on monetary token, so even though I was enjoying and gaining many experiences, friends, and skills from working, the idea of money and "why I was really there" almost distracted me even though that's not what my heart really wanted. Even so, as soon as school got let out, I immediately went back to my old job at the grocery store in Minnesota and worked as long of hours as possible to save traveling funds before June 25th, when my plane took off for my destination: Paris, France.
I chose France because I wanted to travel to somewhere new, somewhere that didn't speak English as a primary language, yet was still within range for me to participate as a member of society. I originally considered going to South America-its "end of the world" depth and exotic temperament appealed to me. I realized that leaving school to go work on farms in a foreign country was out there enough, so it would probably be more reasonable to travel somewhere "closer to home". My Dad is from England, so somewhere in mainland Europe was an obvious balance between new and old, aiding from the fact that I have plenty of family easily accessible in the UK, and also being able to simply apply for dual-nationality and extend my stay or come back if I ever want to. Being a white, Anglo-Saxon would be an advantage too in terms of inconspicuousness...
I'm not trying to write about the surface experiences, like a journal, but more so my thoughts throughout the journey, and maybe enough to answer any potential questions that anybody reading this might have. This is my experience, and rather than offer everyone the nitty-gritty, I'd rather let people know what is going through my own mind regarding certain humps in my adventure, cultural similarities and differences, and ideas and philosophies about the cosmos at large. Many people reading this will be interested in traveling lightly to foreign countries or even WWOOFing, and hopefully I'll encourage some to look into it themselves. I'll provide some sorts of foundational ideas, and it will be up to the reader to fill in their own blanks, hopefully leading to their own profound thoughts and maybe a misadventure or two.
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