Please note: you must have an active membership in the country where you want to WWOOF in order to send messages to hosts.
Before contacting a host:
- Read their profile carefully. Make sure your potential visit aligns with their preferred length of stay, the number of WWOOFers they can host, their availability, and seasonal activities.
- Write a thoughtful, personal message. Briefly introduce yourself, explain why you’re interested in their farm, and ask if they are available during your preferred dates. Mention which activities you’re excited to participate in—these may vary by season. Write your message in a language that the host can easily understand.
- Check out our guide: How do I find the right host?
Tips to increase your chances of getting a response:
- Contact a few responsive hosts, especially during busy seasons or if your trip is within the next month. Look for hosts with a high response rate for even greater chances of success. You can find the response rate and the average response time on the host profile.
- Try new hosts. Hosts with a “new” badge on their profile often receive fewer requests and may be more open to last-minute visits.
- Use the Immediate Availability filter to find hosts ready to accept you right away.
- Personalize your message. Avoid sending copy-paste or AI-created standard messages. Hosts are much more likely to respond when your message shows you have read their profile and are genuinely interested in their farm.
- Complete your profile. Hosts receive a link to your WWOOFer profile with your message. A complete and up-to-date profile increases your chances of a reply.
- Follow up politely. Reply always to the new messages you receive from hosts. If you haven’t heard back after a few days, it’s okay to send a polite second message—it shows you’re genuinely interested.
- Keep trying. If you don’t receive replies right away, don’t get discouraged. Continue contacting 2-3 hosts every few days until you find a good match.
- Confirm your stay. Once you make up your mind don’t forget to confirm the visit request with the host you have chosen and cancel all other visit requests in the same period.
A note on timing
Many hosts are actively working on their farms and may not respond right away, especially during busy seasons. Whenever possible, start contacting hosts 1-2 months before your visit dates. Finding a host at the last minute can be more difficult, but don’t give up. Patience, flexibility, and persistence often make all the difference when arranging a WWOOF visit.