Farm Work Abroad

Paying and Volunteer Farm Jobs

Farm work at the Permaculture and Ecovillage Institute of the Pampas in Bage, Brazil.

"One of the ways the world has really been opening up over the past decade is through farm-stay work exchanges. With the growing interest in healthier lifestyles and home food production, as well as an increase in international living, it’s no wonder that progressive-minded people have invested in properties abroad with the intention of getting off the grid, attempting self-sustainability, and living gloriously green. In turn, such green-minded progressives have come to seek the help of able-bodied travelers willing to work on farms for room and board in a natural setting. Cheap labor, free accommodation: It’s a win-win situation for everyone and, more importantly, a beautiful thing for the planet.

In the days of old (and even still), enthusiastic long-term travelers and adventurers could spend a few weeks doing seasonal work on big farms, picking fruit or vegetables to earn menial but valued wages. It was hard, sometimes monotonous labor but a means by which to earn your keep somewhere and see a bit of the world to boot. Seasonal farm work, however, tended to be more commonly available in affluent countries of regions such as Europe, Australasia, North America, and often required special work-travel visas. (Unfortunately, citizens from certain countries aren’t eligible for many such jobs, as governments often do not reciprocate working relationships with other countries.)

To deal with this difficult issue and simplify matters, online volunteering organizations such as WWOOF have grown in recent years, and thrifty travelers have found new ways to stay on the move long-term without draining their savings, but also without having to obtain work visas. Likewise, clued-up property owners have figured out how to find and keep enthusiastic workers without breaking their bank accounts or becoming businesses."—Jonathon Engels

CAEP
International Paid Agriculture Exchange Programs
Work abroad program in a range of countries for people aged 18-30 (some programs vary) with at least two years of practical experience in agriculture, horticulture, or equine husbandry. For winemaking, exchange participants must be aged 21-35 and have experience of at least one grape harvest.

HELP Exchange
An extraordinary website offering free information from hosts who provide addresses and descriptions for those seeking farm work and other seasonal jobs in exchange for free accommodation and meals worldwide. 5,000+ host addresses in Australia, 3,000+ in New Zealand, 5,000+ in Europe, 1,000+ in Canada, 1,000+ in the U.S., and 1,000+ in other locations worldwide.The network of hosts offering farm exchanges abroad—including organic farming and permaculture—is growing at an incredibly fast pace.

Jobaroo
Provides information about seasonal farm work and fruit picking opportunities in Australia. Jobaroo also has visa information and many other useful resources for travelers interested in living and working in Australia.

Jobsearch
Find Harvest Jobs
A centralized source of information on the Australian Government website offering job vacancies in fruit and vegetable harvests and other farm work throughout Australia—especially during the busy harvest season.

Oyster
Farm Work in Australia.
Live life as a station hand in the vast and beautiful Australian Outback. Following a few relaxing days at the beach, you will take part in a farm induction course learning to ride horses and dirt bikes, muster cattle, work in the yards,fencing skills, how to use a chainsaw and operate tractors. Following the course you are guaranteed a paid job. This is an excellent way to meet real locals, save money for your travels and make life long friends on the program and in rural Australia!

PickNZ.com
The place to find interesting seasonal jobs abroad. As the name suggests, fruit picking features strongly but you can now also find work in the fields of organic farming, nature conservation, the environment, as well as green and sustainable energy. Working Holiday visas are required for those from abroad.

Workaway
Hundreds of listings worldwide, Europe included, including many different types of volunteer farm work abroad, much of the organic variety and permaculture. Many other volunteer seasonal jobs often offering free room and board in exchange. All for a small membership fee.

WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms)
A global website has links to the national offices in the countries that have a WWOOF coordinator. National WWOOF coordinators compile a list of their member farmers willing to provide free room and board to volunteers who want to help and are interested in furthering the aims of the organic movement through work on local farms. Currently there are WWOOF branches in the U.K., Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, Italy, Slovenia, Turkey, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, Ghana, Uganda, Nepal, China, Japan, Korea, and U.S. An online list of organic farms in all other countries (known as WWOOF Independents) can be obtained from the website.