Why bother?
It is possible to get hold of a fairly recent copy of the farm list without joining. We know that people photocopy the list and contact farms, trying to avoid paying the membership quota. We find out because in most cases the farm owners will insist that WWOOFers staying on their farms are members.
They do so because in Italy, as in many countries, the idea of voluntary agricultural labour fills the authorities with horror and is regarded with great distrust. Here in particular the police spend a great deal of time going round checking and the penalties for both
farmer and "employee" convicted of any wrong doing are extremely severe.
WWOOF membership justifies the presence of a voluntary collaborator on a farm.
Please use the
on-line form to join.
Let me give you an example.
There is a WWOOF host nearby who runs a farm producing olive oil which, as a product destined for human consumption, is subject to strict regulation and she gets at least three visits a year from the authorities to ensure that her farm is up to standard. She also has three apartments that she rents to holiday makers and receives at least four visits, some of them "by surprise" from the authorities to check she is registering new arrivals and issuing receipts. If on any of these visits the authorities found someone whose presence could not be justified it would result in fines (up to US $10.0000) and possible jail sentences for the host and fines (up to US $25.0000) and deportation for the employee.
These fines are set high as a deterrent and it is unlikely that anyone would have to pay that amount, but you would go through the inconvenience of being arrested, spending a week or two in the cells and being deported.
Insurance
We have to provide insurance cover by law and this is included in your membership fee (13 euro of the 25 you pay). It is a very basic cover and is valid for one year and only whilst you are on a registered WWOOF Italia farm. It covers accident and health care at a minimal rate. See page on insurance for more details.
