26. Worldwide opportunities in organic farms: key drivers and research implications of unwaged work

In developed countries, the unwaged work provided by family workers is decreasing rapidly, replaced partly by the unwaged work of apprentices, interns, and volunteers from urban and suburban locations, compensated through a diverse mix of training, accommodation, and food. Our focus is on the Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF), an international network linking people who want to volunteer in organic farms with farmers who offer accommodation and food in exchange for work. To explore the WWOOF hosts, three main drivers are identified and based on recent academic literature, the major features of each dimension are discussed. Research implications are provided, including in-depth interpretation of unwaged farm work and identification of the elements that contribute to rendering organic farming a resilient agricultural system.