Let me start by introducing you to WWOOF. If you aren't already aware, WWOOF stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. The basic purpose of the organization is to provide a win win trade for travelers and farmers. The basic trade is that the traveler gets free room and board, and the farmer gets free labor. Done properly however, Wwoofing is an experience that far exceeds those base requirements. It can provide shared experiences, information, understanding, cultural exchange, friendship and so much more. Each farm, and each traveler are different so the possibilities are endless.
In this blog, I will feature Casa Rosa Farms.
Casa Rosa Farms is a small family farm run by Anthony and Rachel. It is located in Madeira, Ca, about a three hours drive south east of San Francisco, or thirty minutes north of Fresno, Ca. They grow olives for high quality oil, Marcona almonds, and raise grass fed lamb and beef to be sold direct to buyers. They also grow a varied assortment of organic and heirloom vegetables that wwoofers are free to partake in. While I was there, I helped with an impressive spread of food for a dinner party, primarily made of things direct from the farm. Delicious!
The farm was recently features on ABC 30 news. This video sums up the experience at this farm very well, though I stayed in a different room.
Did you hear me mentioned? "And 12 others..."
I was at Casa Rosa from October 7th-17th, 2010. My work on the farm consisted mainly of pruning and tying the young olive trees to stakes so they will be nice and shapely for the harvesting machines. The work was enjoyable, especially with the good company, and even alone, almost meditative. The enjoyment is not to say it was easy! It is hard work and the entire time the mantra in my head was "I'll never complain about the cost of olive oil again. It IS worth the money for each bottle. I'll never complain again. I'll never complain again." That is the biggest lesson I took away from the experience, appreciation of the work that goes into a good product. Realizing you aren't paying for just the bottle and the olives, you are paying for the land, the water, the manual labor, the livelihood of the farmers. Support your local farmers! It's worth every penny!
Outside of the fields I had a considerable amount of down time to read, play music, watch movies and chat with my companions, and wander the fields. Their wonderful dog Rosie kept us entertained and even challenged me to a few races. She beat me every time. I was on my bike.
Rosie! Read the full story after the jump below.
In this blog, I will feature Casa Rosa Farms.
Casa Rosa Farms is a small family farm run by Anthony and Rachel. It is located in Madeira, Ca, about a three hours drive south east of San Francisco, or thirty minutes north of Fresno, Ca. They grow olives for high quality oil, Marcona almonds, and raise grass fed lamb and beef to be sold direct to buyers. They also grow a varied assortment of organic and heirloom vegetables that wwoofers are free to partake in. While I was there, I helped with an impressive spread of food for a dinner party, primarily made of things direct from the farm. Delicious!
The farm was recently features on ABC 30 news. This video sums up the experience at this farm very well, though I stayed in a different room.
Did you hear me mentioned? "And 12 others..."
I was at Casa Rosa from October 7th-17th, 2010. My work on the farm consisted mainly of pruning and tying the young olive trees to stakes so they will be nice and shapely for the harvesting machines. The work was enjoyable, especially with the good company, and even alone, almost meditative. The enjoyment is not to say it was easy! It is hard work and the entire time the mantra in my head was "I'll never complain about the cost of olive oil again. It IS worth the money for each bottle. I'll never complain again. I'll never complain again." That is the biggest lesson I took away from the experience, appreciation of the work that goes into a good product. Realizing you aren't paying for just the bottle and the olives, you are paying for the land, the water, the manual labor, the livelihood of the farmers. Support your local farmers! It's worth every penny!
Outside of the fields I had a considerable amount of down time to read, play music, watch movies and chat with my companions, and wander the fields. Their wonderful dog Rosie kept us entertained and even challenged me to a few races. She beat me every time. I was on my bike.
Rosie! Read the full story after the jump below.
