Create Our World

“We find out where conditions are the worst – the places where others are not going – and that’s where we want to be.” – Nicolas de Torrente, Executive Director of Doctors Without Borders

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My good friend, Lisa on her recent trip to Africa (although not with DWB)

Doctors Without Borders

The above quote is on my wall in my bedroom at my aunt Cathy’s house, where I am staying.  Wow!  This is just a brief post to link you with their website.  It is pretty dense.  But if you are a doctor or nurse, this might interest you.

An international organization that sends doctors and nurses into the places torn by war, famine, malnutrition, and epidemics.  

If you have any personal involvement with this organization, please share.

Create Our World.

Ben.

“Every action of our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity.” – Edward Hubbel Chapin

“When tillage begins, other arts follow.  The farmers, therefore, are the founders human civilization.” – Daniel Webster

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Meet Cathy.

“I’m the Mom.”

Her husband, Ken and her bought the Frog Hollar Farm back in 1972, which she currently runs with her three sons, Billy, Kenny, and Edwin.

I called Cathy while researching WWOOF (World Wide Organization of Organic Farms) farms for yesterdays post, WWOOFing: Take a Working Vacation.

Darn Irish!

A little history of their farm (check their site for more details):

165 acres of land, “snuggled in the Irish Hills of Southeast Michigan,” the King Family focuses on producing quality, local, organic produce.  They only farm about 2 to 3 acres at a time because those darn Irish hills are not condusive to farming the whole thing so they are constantly rotating.  

If you volunteer, you will responsible for a half day of work and the rest of the time is yours (you can work more, there is always something to do!).  Cathy and the King family provide “rudimentary” housing and all your meals. I like looking at photos of a place, click here if you do.

Hollar Fest Grows!

Frog Hollar farms started a small music festival a few years ago to encourage local culture, share organic food, and promote local music.  I heard about this Fest through Couchsurfing.  This year it had about 30 bands, local food, yoga, camping, and other activities. Here is a 4 minute video from last year, if you are interested:

The Fest just happened so we missed it.  

But even if you will never be in Michigan to see this interesting and commendable small farm, I hope that if you are interested in this sort of thing, that there is a Frog Hollar Farm near you.  

Check the WWOOF site for details on what is around your area.

Or please post your recommendations for awesome organic farms in your area for others to see.

Create Our World.

Ben.

“Holler Fest is among the best of the next generation music festivals with a genuine home-grown atmosphere and free spirit about it.” – Hollar Fest

“I’ve been tickled to death about the wonderful people making it out here.” – Marian from White Pine Farms

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I took this shot in Owosso, MI.

Meet Marian.  

I just did.  Well, we talked over the phone.  I wanted to gather some info on WWOOF.  The World Wide Organization of Organic Farms.

WWOOF connects travelers with owners of small organic farms.  Travelers work and the Owners provide room and board.  Anna and Summer, friends met on the road, introduced me to this organization and I mentioned it in a recent post, Yell at People.

To have access to the list of farms address and phone numbers WWOOF charges a 20$ membership fee.  But, I was curious as to whether I get around the 20$ membership fee that WWOOF charges for a list of their farms.  I looked on WWOOF for their list of farms and then just Googled one that looked interesting.  This is how I met Marian.

White Pine Farm

White Pine Farm is a small organic farm in Michigan that always has something to do.

Marian works at or maybe owns (I forgot to ask) White Pine Farm in Michigan. 

“He’s really cool, I really like him.”  

Marian describes Sam to me.  Sam is the WWOOFer, whom is currently staying with her.  Sam is from Taiwan.  He hasn’t had much experience with power tools or even grass;  life in Taiwan is much different.

“He does a lot of weeding.”

Marian describes other WWOOFers whom have stayed and I get the sense she really tries to help these travelers see the area and work with their schedules.  

I Want to WWOOFer!

You do not need to buy a membership to WWOOF in order to participate.  I just looked at their site for farms near Ann Arbor, MI (where I currently am) and then just googled the ones that looked interesting.  But it is only 20$ and you get all the info in a booklet.  Probably most important reason to subscribe would be to support this organization that is doing a good thing.

Interested? Heres How:

1.  Find a farm.

2.  Call them.

Talk to them.  I dig Marian, I really got a good vibe from her, but I am sure it is different wherever you go, so call to see if you click with the hosts.

3.  Ask questions like: How much work would you be responsible for? What are sleeping conditions like? Are meals provided and what would you be doing?

It is different from farm to farm.

4.  Then show up!

Marian is very flexible with her WWOOFers allowing them to make their own schedule.  WWOOFers have a bed and they try to eat at least one meal together.  I talked to Cathy from the Frog Holler Farm (I am writing a post about her soon) too.  

Cathy is flexible with the WWOOFers that come, too.  WWOOFers would be responsible for a half days work and be provided meals and “rudimentary housing,” meaning a roof over your head in the barn or a trailer depending on how many people were working.  

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WWOOFing seems a way to travel inexpensively with a way to meet new friends and support small organic farms.  

Interested and want more info? Check out WWOOF or shoot me a message.

Have you WWOOFed and have a story to share?  Please do so.

Create Our World.

Ben.

“Fear makes strangers of people who would be friends.” – Shirley MacLaine